Captain Brian Appleby has been associated with the sea for all his working life and has an ‘Affinity’ with life on the water.

He is passionate about the history of Captain James Cook and loves nothing more than passing this first-hand experience on to those on board.

His impeccable safety record and local knowledge, plus his relaxed nature make cruising in this special corner of New Zealand a wonderful experience.

June 2011
Saturday 17     Queenstown – Te Anau
Meet midmorning in Queenstown or at the Airport. Travel by coach to Te Anau.

Meet at approximately 6pm for an informal get-together at the hotel – BYO is the order of the day. Overnight in Te Anau.

Sunday 18       Te Anau – Doubtful Sound B L D
After breakfast, travel to Manapouri, cruise across Lake Manapouri and visit the underground power station before coaching over Wilmot Pass and down to Deep Cove, arriving about noon. Our 2007 group crossed the pass with the region shrouded in snow. Affinity and Skipper Brian will be waiting and once on board, you will cruise quietly down the sound. Lunch is served and the afternoon will be spent on Doubtful Sound. You will have a chance to orientate yourself by studying the charts in the saloon.

Monday 19B L D
Weather permitting; we cruise down the coastline to Breaksea and Dusky Sound to explore the maze of arms, channels and islands.

Tuesday  20 – Friday 23 Fiordland B L D
On these days we explore the Sounds and visit the historic sites of this part of the world - the first European house site where the first European baby was born, the first recorded European shipwreck and the site where the first sawn timber ship was built. We also learn the importance of the area to the explorer Captain James Cook who spent time here in the 1770s.

We will also visit Astronomers Point where Cook and his team of astronomers cut down trees and set up camp to enable them to take measurements of the planet Venus.

Our visit to a cove where a number of fur seal pups swim around the rocks is something special. They are very noisy and like to swim alongside and pop up out of the water to see what is going on.

We also have the opportunity to go ashore and walk through the virgin native bush and experience the wonderful scenery like nowhere else on earth.

We also have time to fish for groper, cod and other large species. On our most recent trip to the region, one of the group landed a 15lb groper.

Note: all details of the cruise itinerary are subject to local conditions

Saturday 24                 Doubtful Sound – Te Anau  B
On the last day of the cruise we return to Doubtful Sound, cruising slowly up the sound while investigating and exploring the arms, ending back at Deep Cove. We return to Te Anau and the real world of phones and TV!

Overnight in Te Anau at hotel.

Sunday 25        Te Anau – Queenstown B
This morning a coach transfers us to Queenstown to connect with our return flight to Auckland or continue your South Island holiday.