The protests against Donald Trump's rise to the US presidency have reached faraway shores, with a Women's March held in Paradise Bay in Antarctica.

A group on an expedition ship to the frozen continent have joined millions around the world to stage their own protest march - with gentoo penguins out in force to support them.

Californian data analytics and market researcher Linda Zunas, 42, organised the march and told The Independent she was motivated by Mr Trump's approach to environmental policies.

"I set it up because I wanted to participate in the Women's March," Ms Zunas said. "I spent a month after the election mourning the impending damage to the earth that will be done. I felt like I needed to do something to be part of the global movement."

Ms Zunas said about 30 men and women, an "international group of eco-minded visitors" ranging in age from 24 to 87, took part in the march. They held banners declaring "love rules in Antarctica", "Penguins March for Peace" and "Seals for Science".  

Ms Zunas said that, because of the environmental sensitivity of the setting, the march was short as the protesters had to limit their footprints and impact on the land.

Many kilometres away, hundreds of thousands of people descended on Washington, DC, which was expected to be host to the largest Women's March.

The New York Times has reported that it will most likely be the biggest inauguration-related demonstration in the country's history.

As many as 10,000 people participated in the Women's March on Sydney, eclipsing organisers' expectations that 1000 people would attend.

Organisers of the Women's March on Washington said that sister marches were set to occur on all seven continents.