Hans Island

Out of interest, has anyone here visited Hans Island?

It's a small (1.3 sq km) barren rock between Greenland and Ellesmere Island. Apparently, the Danes and the Canadians both claim the island and the military from each country visit it from time to time. The Canadians take down the Danish flag that's there, raise their own flag and then drink the schnapps left there by the Danes. They then leave some whisky and toddle off back to Ottawa. Some time later, the Danish military land, take down the Canadian flag, raise the Danish flag, drink the whisky left by the Canadians and then leave some schnapps before heading off back to Copenhagen. This has to be the most civilised territorial dispute ever! And it's been going on for some time.

There's more about it here. Whether any regular civilians can go there, I have no idea.

Nope. But I'm interested in visiting Stewart Island, perhaps next year or the year after. Have you been?

Stewart Island? I've barely been to the South Island! Five days last year in Nelson for a school football tournament. I figure we have time in our dotage to tour NZ so I'll fly long haul until I can't - then I'll do the local area. Enjoy the mutton bird!

Interesting. I remember reading about this dispute a while ago and wondering if it would ever get resolved.

Quoting berner256

Nope. But I'm interested in visiting Stewart Island, perhaps next year or the year after. Have you been?

I've been Bob. I got a ferry from Bluff (it was an awful rough crossing with big waves!) and did some walks there. It's a pretty island so worth visiting if you're into walking.

Rebecca, thanks for the information. How many days did you spend there? I'd like to do some hiking and bird watching. Interested in pairing a visit to Stewart Island with a visit to Tasmania.

Only around a day and a half as part of a bigger trip around the South Island. There are some really nice bush walks with some lovely views and some of the longer walks look stunning too so I wish we'd had longer.

I would highly recommend Tasmania! I spent 2 weeks there and it's beautiful - the prettiest part of Australia in my opinion. I flew into Hobart on a cheap flight from Melbourne and used a mixture of short tours and public transport whilst I was there. It's often overlooked by travellers so is less touristy than other parts of the country; I was so glad I made the effort to go.

Having a quick Google it doesn't seem there is any tourism to Hans Island. To be honest from the pictures there doesn't seem like there is much to see I think if either country started to run tours to the island it would probably escalate the conflict. Planting flags and leaving bottles of alcohol is all a bit of fun but if one country starts to financially benefit from the disputed territory that will probably start stirring up real animosity

I would highly recommend Tasmania! I spent 2 weeks there and it's beautiful - the prettiest part of Australia in my opinion. I flew into Hobart on a cheap flight from Melbourne and used a mixture of short tours and public transport whilst I was there. It's often overlooked by travellers so is less touristy than other parts of the country; I was so glad I made the effort to go.

I second that, it is a beautiful part of the country that is highly underrated. I'm actually going to be visiting again in December.

Quoting bex76

Interesting. I remember reading about this dispute a while ago and wondering if it would ever get resolved.

Quoting berner256

Nope. But I'm interested in visiting Stewart Island, perhaps next year or the year after. Have you been?

I've been Bob. I got a ferry from Bluff (it was an awful rough crossing with big waves!) and did some walks there. It's a pretty island so worth visiting if you're into walking.

https://www.geus.dk/om-geus/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2022/jun/geus-bidrager-til-historisk-graenseaftale-om-hans-oe

Ended in 2022
The peace agreament includes both parties prommising to deliver steady supplies of aqua vitae.