Ross Island is an island formed by four volcanoes in the Ross Sea near the continent of Antarctica, off the coast of Victoria Land in McMurdo Sound. Only a small part of the island is free of ice and snow. The planet's southernmost active volcano, Erebus (3,794 m/12,448 ft), as well as the dormant volcano Terror (3,230 m/10,597 ft), are situated on the island.
Ross Island was the base for many of the early expeditions to Antarctica. It was and still is the southernmost island reachable by sea. Huts built by Scott's and Shackleton's expeditions are still standing on the island, preserved as historical sites.
Today Ross Island is home to New Zealand's Scott Base, and the largest Antarctic settlement, the U.S. Antarctic Program's McMurdo Station. Greenpeace established World Park Base on the island and it ran for five years, from 1987 to 1992.
Things to see and do
* Adelie penguins
* Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts
* Research stations
* Mt Erebus
Cruise Season – Nov - April
Currency – New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Language – English
Land Area - 2,460 km2
Electricity – 2 angled pins and 1 flat pin centered below Australian style
Time – GMT plus twelve hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 64
Transport Links – Ross Island is accessible from Invercargill, New Zealand.