The Ultimate Fiordland Experience

Your New Zealand Fiordland cruise will begin in the South Island town of Te Anau where you will make your way to the designated meeting point and board your included helicopter transfer to Preservation Inlet where the Heritage Explorer will be awaiting your arrival. This thrilling transfer by air will be the perfect introduction to this remarkable part of the world, with incredible views of the scenic wonders below. Embark the ship and settle into your cosy cabin as we set sail along Long Sound into Southern Fiordland.

Your first day of adventure will see you explore around the historically-rich Preservation Inlet to learn about its past life as a bustling gold mining and forestry industry. In the mining towns of Cromarty and Te Oneroa we will discover how these areas have now been reclaimed by nature and will hope to visit the failed Tarawera Mine and Smelter, where the ruins of the smelter’s three-storey chimney were restored in 2015. We will also learn how the area was home to New Zealand’s first whaling station at Cuttle Cove and sail past Puysegur Point to see one of the country’s most remote lighthouses. Onshore, a great coastal walk will take us along a former telegraph track built to connect the lighthouse, and on towards the old landing shed at Otago Retreat.

We now sail into Chalky Inlet past the impressive limestone cliffs of Chalky Island, a predator-free area that is home to some of New Zealand’s most critically endangered bird species including the Little Spotted Kiwi and Kakapo, and endemic Te Kakahu Skink, discovered in 2002. We hope to explore around the protected harbours of North and South Port to discover the area’s fascinating human history and see the rusting hulk of the purposely grounded GSS Stella before sailing to the head of the fjord surrounded by imposing mountains that will envelope us in their majesty and offer spectacular photo opportunities.

Today it is time to discover the incredible scenery and rich history of beautiful Dusky Sound as we sail deep into the heart of Fiordland. One of the most recognisable and photographed sounds, the area is home to predator-free Anchor Island which is inhabited by half of the world’s population of Kakapo and Little Spotted Kiwi! It is also home to historic Luncheon Cove which we will hope to visit. We will also hope to visit nearby Pigeon Island to learn about the conservation feats of Richard Henry who developed a pioneering live transfer of birds to island refuges programme here. While his attempts were unsuccessful due to stoats swimming over to the island, it is heartening to learn the island is now pest-free and a sanctuary for native birdlife, with Henry’s vision fulfilled.

One of the highlights of our time in Fiordland will occur today as we sail into Acheron Passage, a spectacular waterway that separates Resolution Island from the mainland. These crystal clear waters often bring sightings of the Bottlenose Dolphins that frequent this area so we will spend some time on deck with cameras in hand. Areas we may explore here include Wet Jacket Arm, scenic Breaksea Sound and Breaksea Island which is an iconic site in New Zealand conservation history being one of the first large islands declared rat-free in 1988.

Prepare to witness some of the most incredible scenery in all of Fiordland today as we enter the magnificent Doubtful Sound surrounded by cloud-scraping wilderness cloaked mountains, sheer stone cliffs, waterfalls, inlets and picturesque coves. New Zealand’s deepest fiord, this majestic area really is a sight to behold, and photographic opportunities will abound as we explore around Blanket Bay, the Shelter Islands, Pandora River, Deas Cove and Open Bay.

In Charles Sound, one of the southern-most of the northern fiords, we will discover one of the most extensive marine reserves in the inner fiords (Kahukura Marine Reserve). Here you may enjoy a kayaking excursion or Zodiac boat excursion along the coast before we make our way to Caswell Sound, another beautiful and rarely-explored fjord. In this area we will find the last physical remains of the 1949 New Zealand–American Fiordland scientific expedition, a primitive hut standing on the banks of the Stillwater River used while studying the Wapiti/elk herd introduced earlier in the century. We will also hope to visit Tiny Styles Island and enjoy a nature-filled stroll along Stillwater River towards Lake Marchant.

The following day, we plan to navigate to George Sound, the largest of the Northern Fiords, to enjoy some exploration in the fjords multiple arms that lead off this beautiful 26km long stretch. The highlight today is likely to be the unforgettable sight of Alice Falls as it thunders out of Lake Alice flanked by dense forest.

Our final day of adventure is sure to be a memorable one as we make our way into the extraordinary Milford Sound to enjoy a leisurely cruise around this simply spellbinding area. Expect picture-perfect scenery and an enchanting tranquil ambience. Your last night onboard will be spent anchored beneath the towering peaks of the sound as you celebrate this unforgettable adventure with a special farewell dinner.

Today sadly marks the conclusion of your voyage and, after breakfast onboard, you will disembark and bid a fond farewell to your expedition crew as you take your transfer back to Te Anau, via the historic Homer Tunnel and the lowland beech forests and golden tussocks of scenic Eglinton Valley.