Enderby Island, Subantarctic island in Auckland Islands, New Zealand.
Enderby Island is a subantarctic island in the Auckland Islands group, off the southern coast of New Zealand, with steep coastal cliffs, wetlands, and Teal Lake near its southeastern shore. Sandy Bay, on the northern side, serves as the main landing point and is where most of the historic remains and observation spots are found.
In 1849, Charles Enderby established a whaling station and settlement at Port Ross, bringing around 18 prefabricated structures including a church. The colony lasted only a few years before being abandoned, leaving behind ruins that are still visible today.
The island takes its name from Charles Enderby, a British merchant and whaling promoter active in the area in the 19th century. At Sandy Bay, traces of Polynesian occupation from around the 13th century can still be found in the ground.
Visits are restricted to Sandy Bay, which is where most trails and viewing spots begin, so plan to spend your time in that area. The subantarctic climate is cold and unpredictable, so warm and waterproof clothing is essential regardless of the season.
After introduced cattle and rabbits were removed in 1994, species found only here, like the Auckland teal and the Auckland shag, came back in numbers that had not been seen for generations. The teal is a flightless duck, which makes spotting it on the ground near Sandy Bay one of the more unexpected sights of any visit.
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