Fiordland In Depth - Itinerary

Welcome to New Zealand

After landing in Queenstown collect your car and head for the lakeside tranquility of Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Te Anau is an area of breathtaking natural beauty, and several key Lord of The Rings movie scenes were filmed amid the unspoiled forests and lakes of this region.

Relax and immerse yourselves in the gorgeous surroundings: flight-seeing, fly fishing, kayaking, sailing and horse riding are all on offer and are great ways to get up close to nature.

Soak up the serenity of these gorgeous surroundings, and if you're wondering where the fiords are, you will love what tomorrow has in store!

Approximate Distance: 173 km | 107 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 8 minutes

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 Nights

Transfer to Manapouri this morning for a very special cruise in one of New Zealand's most remote and beautiful wilderness areas: Doubtful Sound.

Larger and deeper than better-known Milford Sound, Doubtful is by far the quieter of the two. A visit to its isolated splendour is a peaceful, almost religious experience. Being so remote, getting here is half of the fun!

After a leisurely cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri you'll travel by road over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove, where you will board your trusty cruise vessel, The Patea Explorer. You'll find spacious deck areas perfect for viewing the cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife, rainforest and mountains of Doubtful Sound.

An onboard nature guide will answer questions, point out landmarks and provide you with information about the varied wildlife you may encounter. Dolphins, fur seals, and the rare Fiordland crested penguin are among the many non-human visitors to this impossibly vast, secluded wilderness paradise.

Let the majesty of Doubtful Sound unfold before you and take your breath away.

Enjoy astonishing views today as you travel along the winding Milford Road into the heart of Fiordland National Park. A location as beautiful as Milford Sound should never be rushed, so on arrival you will board the purpose-built Milford Mariner for an unforgettable overnight cruise.

Milford Sound is nicknamed the ‘eighth natural wonder of the world’ and you’ll soon see why: when you are dwarfed by towering, rainforested cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and soaring mountain peaks, it's like walking through a world created for giants.

Look out for unique wildlife - you’re bound to spot seals and possibly dolphins or penguins while you swim, kayak or simply relax on deck. As evening falls enjoy a delicious buffet dinner before retiring to your private cabin and letting the world fall away.

Approximate Distance: 288 kms | 179 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 48 mins

Accommodation: Milord Sound - 1 Night

Is there a more perfect way to start the day than watching the sun rise over Milford Sound? After a delicious onboard breakfast, soak up more stunning scenery as you sail out to the Tasman Sea to discover even more of Fiordland. Then head back to shore for the return trip to peaceful Te Anau.

The Milford Road takes you back to Te Anau on one of the most scenic drives on the planet. A glorious labyrinth of soaring peaks is punctuated by unspoiled rainforest, plunging valleys, azure lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers.

Keep a lookout for our cheeky alpine parrot, The Kea. These super-intelligent and mischievous birds are a delight to see in the wild. They love to hang out by the Homer Tunnel to entertain drivers with their antics!

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 Night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you will enjoy our Fiordland In Depth Itinerary and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Bon Voyage