May 2011
Monday 09 Dunedin D
Meet in Dunedin for an overnight stay including a welcome dinner.
Tuesday 10 Dunedin the Catlins Invercargill B L
After breakfast the days touring starts with a panoramic tour of Dunedin city. Drive south along the Great Southern Route.
On leaving Dunedin follow the Southern Scenic Route to Waihola and continue onto Balclutha and Kaka Point where the Catlins district starts.
Continue to Nugget Point Lighthouse and Garat Bay before arriving at Owaka for lunch. Continue via Purakaunui Falls, Lake Wilkie and Curio Bay and Waipapa Point. All these points of interest have viewing platforms close to the road. A refreshment stop at Fortrose concludes the Catlins area, then it is onto Invercargill for an overnight stay.
Arrive in Invercargill late afternoon. Dinner is your choice tonight.
Wednesday 11 Invercargill Stewart Island B L D
A coach journey to Bluff will arrive to meet the 9 am ferry to Stewart Island at Halfmoon Bay.
The ferry arrives at Halfmoon Bay about 10.30 am where Affinity will be awaiting your arrival.
After lunch, walk to Ackers Point (approx 2 hours return) as well as exploring the township and shops. Then cruise to your overnight anchorage in Paterson Inlet.
Thursday 12
This morning cruise to one of our secret spots and you will have
the opportunity to fish for Steward Island Blue Cod. Then it is
back to the shore to walk from Port William to Horse Shoe Bay
where the vessel will be awaiting your arrival and with fresh fish
on the menu for dinner.
Friday 13
After breakfast, visit the Ulva Island bird sanctuary, this is a
highlight of Stewart Island. You may see and hear
Saddlebacks, Tuis, Bellbirds, Stewart Island Robins, Kiwis,
Kakas and Keas.
Ulva Goodwillie, your guide, who is named after the Island, is
direct descendant of the first Maori peoples of Steward
Island. She is passionate and knowledgeable and provides you
with a unique experience, learning about native flora and fauna
from a Maori and local Stewart Island perspective.
Cruise into Glory Cove and look and learn about the salmon and
mussel farms.
Then cruise to Millers Beach in Paterson Inlet where you have
the opportunity to go ashore for a short stroll to the old whalers
repair base, which was used by the Antarctic Whalers. There
are sign posted history boards here to show you this important
part of whaling history.
Saturday 14
This morning a short cruise to Saw Dust Bay with the chance
to go ashore to walk through the native bush back to Golden
Bay where Affinity will be awaiting your return.
Sunday 15
Cruise to Port Adventure to walk and explore the beautiful
sandy beaches and inlets.
Monday 16 Stewart Island Invercargill B L D
Today is your last day onboard Affinity; enjoy a leisurely cruise
back to Halfmoon Bay stopping for another walk. Disembark at
3 pm, board the fast ferry back to the mainland.
On arrival, coach to Invercargill and the centrally situated hotel
for an overnight stay.
A farewell dinner is included tonight.
Tuesday 17 Invercargill B
After breakfast, the tour ends.
All walks are optional, you may wish to stay onboard and relax or there may be a shorter walk option that would suit you better. Please understand you are responsible for your own safety and actions during these unguided walks.
Affinity Charters will not be held responsible for any delay or
alteration to cruise due to acts of god.
Daily itinerary may be altered due to weather conditions and time
available.