You don't need to pack a passport or change of clothes for this overseas flight, just your sense of adventure.
It's one of those things you never expect you’ll hear yourself say:
“Sorry Mum, I can’t catch up tomorrow, I’m going to Antarctica for the day”.
Antarctica. For. The. Day.
Yet here I am, lucky enough to be a guest on one of RACQ Travel’s most sought-after adventures. Operated by Antarctica Flights on a chartered Qantas Dreamliner, we’re off to witness the stunning white wilderness of Earth’s southernmost continent.
From the very beginning, it’s unlike any flight you’ll ever experience.
There’s no need to check in or drop off baggage because this is treated as a domestic trip (but you will receive the full Qantas international food and drinks service).
A quick look at the departures board tells me from which gate my Antarctic adventure will begin and when I get there, there’s a definite buzz in the air.
A giant ‘penguin’ greets passengers with cuddles and selfies, while other guests are diving into their info packs, unfolding giant maps to see which of the 19 possible flight routes we’ll take.
Spurred on by this lovely sense of communal positivity and adventure, I take a seat and ask my neighbouring passenger what inspired her to book this one-of-a-kind trip?
“I was sitting on our balcony on the Sunshine Coast and I saw the ad for this when I was flicking through The Road Ahead magazine. I called out to (husband) Kerry, ‘Come and look at this’ and we booked the next week,” Judy Diamond says, chuckling as she catches my reaction to this uncanny encounter.
“I’m from The Road Ahead,” I tell her, and we spend the next few minutes laughing about how small the world is, not only our RACQ connection but our ability to head as far south as Antarctica and be back in Brisbane that night.
Soon, it’s time to board the plane.
There is a real sense of space on the Qantas Dreamliner because Antarctica Flights don’t sell the middle row of seats to ensure everyone has maximum viewing opportunities when we reach our destination.
Before long, mimosas and a tasty breakfast are being served and our Antarctica Flight Manager Gordon Higman explains the beauty that awaits us.
Passengers enjoy the wonders below.
“It’s unique. It’s pure. It’s electric. It’s clean, untouched, mysterious, and mindblowing,” Gordon says.
Despite doing this job for 14 years, Gordon never gets sick of it and there are several guests in business class on their third and fourth trips who can attest to the uniqueness of every flight.
“Each flight is incredibly different,” Gordon says.
“New Year’s Eve was incredible – the colours were amazing. The flight out of Sydney last week we were in the Transantarctic Mountains, today will be different again because there’s a bit of cloud around so the colours will be very intense.”
Scientific experts on board make the flight time to Antarctica seemingly disappear.
Dr Diana Patterson and Mike Craven wander throughout the cabin and share their experiences of the continent.
Dr Patterson became the first female leader of an Antarctic research station when she took charge of Mawson in 1989 following a summer at Casey Station, while Mike is a veteran of six Antarctic winters.
About five hours into the flight, we’re there.
“Welcome to Antarctica,” Dr Patterson declares over the PA system and passengers rush to the window to get their first glimpse.
Huge chunks of ice dot the ocean below and the cabin is filled with squeals of excitement.
The colours really are extraordinary – a mix of the deep navy of the Southern Ocean, almost turquoise water surrounding hundreds of icebergs, some brown land breaking up big slabs of ice and then an enormous, continuous expanse of white as far as the eye can see.
“We’re flying over an area that measures -89.2°C on the ground. It’s the coldest, driest, saltiest, brightest, and windiest continent on the planet,” Mike tells us.
“It’s also the area on Earth where the most number of meteorites have been collected because it’s so dry here, the meteorites don’t break down.”
Huge chunks of ice dot the ocean below and the cabin is filled with squeals of excitement.
The colours really are extraordinary – a mix of the deep navy of the Southern Ocean, almost turquoise water surrounding hundreds of icebergs, some brown land breaking up big slabs of ice and then an enormous, continuous expanse of white as far as the eye can see.
“We’re flying over an area that measures -89.2°C on the ground. It’s the coldest, driest, saltiest, brightest, and windiest continent on the planet,” Mike tells us.
“It’s also the area on Earth where the most number of meteorites have been collected because it’s so dry here, the meteorites don’t break down.”
For the next four hours Antarctica’s beauty is on full display.
Halfway through, passengers swap seats to make sure no one misses out on these views.
We fly over Casey Station and while passengers would normally enjoy hearing from those stationed below, poor weather has hindered the signal to the communication base.
For at least one passenger on board, a stint at Casey Station would be a dream come true – The University of Queensland PHD student Sienna Blanckensee, who is also helping to fundraise for the Antarctica Science Foundation.
“I’ve only seen Antarctica from a ship so it’s quite a different perspective that I’m getting today,” Sienna explains.
“My research is looking at Antarctic bottom water and we’re fundraising for a seal program to put sensors on their heads to track salinity, temperatures, and GPS.
“Seals go wherever they want and they go in areas we can’t, so this is integral to my work and I use that data every single day.
“They help us uncover some of the mysteries about this continent that we just wouldn’t know without them.”
Mesmerising patterns formed by ice.
Whether it’s a passion for science, the environment, a sense of adventure, or just wanting to tick something off the bucket list, an Antarctica Flight will not disappoint.
There’s no doubt it’s a big day – about a 15-hour round trip – but the Qantas and Antarctica Flights teams ensure you are comfortable, relaxed, excited and will leave educated about the beauty beneath.
