A week in the World Heritage National Park

• Cruise Doubtful Sound / down the coast to Breaksea Sound and onto Dusky Sounds
• Explore historic sites, learn about early European settlement and the arrival of Captain Cook in the area
• See seals and possibly dolphins
• Enjoy time to fish for cod, groper and other large species 
• Cruise across Lake Manapouri
• Visit to Manapouri underground power station
•  Return helicopter ride from Dusky Sound to Te Anau

June 2012
Saturday 30     Queenstown - Te Anau
Depart on an early morning flight from Auckland to Queenstown. Transfer by coach and drive to Te Anau. Meet at approximately 6pm for an informal get-together at the Luxmore Hotel – Overnight in Te Anau.
July
Sunday 01      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 2006 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 will be served and the afternoon will be spent on Doubtful Sound. You will have a chance to orientate yourself by studying the charts on board.
Monday 02   B L D
Weather permitting; we cruise down the coastline to Breaksea and Dusky Sound to explore the maze of arms, channels and islands.
Tuesday 03 - Friday 06   Dusky Sound   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 1870s.
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 07   Doubtful Sound - Te Anau   B
This morning prepare yourself for the helicopter ride of a lifetime when you fly from Dusky Sound over the World Heritage National Park to Te Anau. From Te Anau, the coach will transfer you to Queenstown in time for a 3 pm or later flight.
This concludes a week in a very special place.

• Return coach transfers Queenstown to Te Anau
• One night in Te Anau on a bed and breakfast basis
• Six nights on board ‘Affinity’
• All meals and excursions aboard ‘Affinity’
• ‘Affinity’ gumboots for shore excursions
• Use of reference books and charts
• Expert guiding and assistance from ‘Affinity’ staff
• Tour escort subject to 10 persons travelling
• Helicopter flight out
• GST of 15%

• Domestic travel to / from Queenstown
(ask us for a quote)
• Items of a personal nature
• Dinner in Te Anau

Cost per person*
Share / twin $3799
Single supplement $1080
* This is cash / cheque price
* All credit cards incur a 2% fee

Booking Conditions
• A deposit of $400 will secure a place on the tour
• This is refundable up to 31 Jan 2012 - less a $50 fee
• After 01 Feb 2012 - full deposit non-refundable
• Full payment due 30 April 2012