Grant Webster, chief operating officer for Tourism Leisure Group, Tourism Holdings, says, “Extreme Antarctica is a rare chance for visitors to experience some of the extraordinary features of the world’s coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and the vital clues it offers us concerning our planet’s distant past and near future.”

He goes on to say, “Visitors will be able to marvel at the extreme beauty of the ‘Southern Lights’ and spectacular frozen landscapes, while discovering extreme facts about Antarctica.

 “For instance, did you know that the ice in some parts of Antarctica is over 4.2 kilometres thick? That’s the height of 12 Sky Towers! And did you know Antarctica is one of the world’s driest places and classified as a desert?” asks Mr Webster. 

The extreme wildlife section will tell visitors all they need to know about the penguins, seabirds, krill, whales, and seals that live on and under the ice – before they take a ride in one of Kelly Tarlton’s snowcats which will take them through the colony of King and Gentoo penguins, and travel back in time with the full-size replica of Captain Robert Scott’s original McMurdo Sound hut. 

“It’s a great outing for all the family – especially during the 50th anniversary of Scott Base this year,” says Mr Webster. 

So if you get the opportunity and you are living in or visiting Auckland, Kelly Tarlton’s should be one of those things you add to your list of things to do.