Canada's Travel Industry Directory
Listed in Cruise Lines, Expedition Cruise Lines
Aurora Expeditions is an Australian-owned expedition cruise company that specializes in small-ship, adventure-focused travel to polar regions and other remote destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Sydney and founded in 1991 by mountaineer Greg Mortimer and his wife Margaret. It operates voyages and land-based expeditions on all seven continents, with a particular focus on Antarctica and the Arctic.
The fleet features modern, purpose-built expedition ships such as Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, and Douglas Mawson, which use Ulstein X-Bow technology for greater stability and comfort in rough seas. Voyages are intentionally small, typically carrying 130 to 140 passengers so everyone can join shore landings and Zodiac cruises and enjoy close interaction with the expedition team. Onboard programs combine expert-led talks with hands-on activities to create an immersive learning experience.
Core itineraries include the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, alongside Arctic routes like Svalbard and Greenland. Aurora also offers expeditions to remote wilderness coastlines such as Patagonia, the Chilean fjords, New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, the Kimberley, and Papua New Guinea. The company pioneered many polar adventure options and provides optional activities including ice camping, sea kayaking, climbing, scuba diving, guided hikes, wildlife watching, and photography, all supported by naturalists, historians, and field specialists.
