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Cruise Fiordland

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Cruise Fiordland

Onboard Heritage Explorer

Become totally absorbed in the remoteness and beauty of Fiordland on a six-night adventure aboard the luxurious Heritage Explorer.

Explore remote coves, islands, beaches and bush, with plenty of opportunity to walk, kayak or throw out a casual fishing line.

Explore remote coves, islands, beaches and bush, with plenty of opportunity to walk, kayak or throw out a casual fishing line.

The tour begins with a night in Te Anau and a cruise on Lake Manapouri, before travelling over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove, where you’ll board the Heritage Explorer for six nights.

The fiords are a haven for marine and bird life. Step ashore to explore the remains of early settlements, and take in the rugged, untouched beauty of this remote corner of New Zealand.

Your journey concludes in Preservation Inlet with a spectacular helicopter flight back to Te Anau for your final night, before returning to Queenstown.

Talk to us about extending your stay in Queenstown.

Your travel itinerary

Friday 11 February

Auckland – Queenstown – Te Anau

Dinner iconDinner

Depart Auckland on a morning flight direct to Queenstown. Transfer by coach to the lakeside town of Te Anau for an overnight stay. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

Saturday 12 February

Te Anau – Deep Cove

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

After breakfast, enjoy a cruise on Lake Manapouri before travelling over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove to embark on the Heritage Explorer.  

Sunday 13 February

Deep Cove - Doubtful Sound

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Head north through Breaksea and travel along the coast to Doubtful Sound - the deepest of all the fiords.  Keep your eyes peeled for New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland Crested Penguins.

Monday 14 February

– Thursday 17 Cruising Fiordland

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Highlights will include:

  • Luncheon Cove - walk around predator-free Anchor Island a bird sanctuary near the mouth of the fiord. 
  • Anchor Point, where Captain Cook anchored HMS Resolution in 1773. 
  • Pigeon Island - walk up the DOC pathway to visit the site of the home of New Zealand’s first conservationist, Richard Henry. Here there is also an incredible viewpoint towards the entrance of Dusky Sound.
  • Cruise through the narrow channels of the Little Harbour to The Basin where you can go kayaking or explore Resolution Island on foot.
  • During the cruise the ROV (underwater remote-controlled camera) will be launched to view the unique black coral.
  • At Krisbee Bay view abandoned saw-milling boilers.
  • At Te Oneroa Beach hike inland to the remnants of mining, an aerial cableway and the sight of the first whaling station in the South Island.
  • Puysegur Point - land at the old oil store (now a DOC hut) and walk to the most isolated lighthouse in New Zealand.
  • Cascade basin a magnificent waterfall that plunges into Long Sound. 

Cruise the inlets, with opportunities to:

  • View the rusting hulk of the Stella - a   steamship deliberately run aground in the 1800s after striking a reef.
  • Stroll the beach at South Port Cove and visit the remains of McCallum’s sawmill boiler.
  • Walk up to Lake Cadman, passing the falls at Lake Cove, at the head of Edwardson Sound

Friday 18 February

Preservation Inlet - Te Anau

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

After breakfast disembark the Heritage Explorer. Take a spectacular helicopter flight to Te Anau. Afternoon at leisure before your Farewell Dinner tonight. 

Saturday 19 February

Te Anau - Queenstown - Home

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch

After breakfast coach to Queenstown airport for your early afternoon flight to Auckland or extend your stay in Queenstown. 

All timings and the itinerary are subject to weather conditions, and subject to change.

Inclusions

  • Return flights from Auckland to Queenstown (other centres on request)
  • Return coach transfers Queenstown to Te Anau
  • Two nights’ accommodation in Te Anau including breakfast and dinner
  • Transfers as specified
  • Return ferry shuttle across Lake Manapouri
  • Six nights’ accommodation on board the Heritage Explorer
  • All meals and tea and coffee while on board Heritage Explorer
  • House drinks onboard
  • Landings and guided walks
  • Visits to historic sites and abandoned settlements
  • Tender craft and kayaks for exploring the coastline 
  • Helicopter flight from Preservation Inlet to Te Anau. 
  • Expedition Leader onboard
  •  Pukekohe Travel escort subject to 15 passengers travelling 

Cost

Estimated Cost Per Person * 

Auckland - Auckland		Twin ShareSingle
 Royal Suite   $11,887   N/A
 Salvin’s Stateroom   $10,966   $17,876
 Buller’s Stateroom (Bunk)    $9,926   N/A
 Wandering Stateroom (Single)    N/A   $12,696

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

  • Travel Insurance –Please ask us for a quote
  • Items of a personal nature

Booking Conditions

  • A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person will secure a place on this tour
  • Full payment is due no later than 11 November 2027
  • Bookings made after 11 November 2027 will require full payment

Cancellations

  • Deposit – non refundable
  • After 11 November 2027 – no refund

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all clients purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, lost items, and delays that could lead to unexpected costs. Please ask us for a quote.

General Information

General

  • Please note there is NO cell phone coverage during the cruise
  • It is required that you bring hiking boots or gumboots which are ideal for stomping around the beaches and bush
  • Slippers / house shoes are ideal on-board

 

Health and Mobility

To ensure the tour is enjoyable for you, a reasonable standard of fitness and mobility is required, as climbing on and off the various boats and the helicopter can be demanding.  Walking tracks onshore can be muddy - you must be able to walk in gumboots or hiking boots. 

Ship Information

The Heritage Explorer - The state-of-the-art technology provides a comfortable expedition ship with high performance dual Scania 653 horsepower engines capable of 10 knots, bow thrusters, fin stabilisers, full air-conditioning, sound attenuated twin generators and a hydraulic aft ramp, while a comprehensive navigation package ensures the ultimate Kiwi adventure awaits all guests.

  • Vessel Type: Expedition Yacht
  • Expedition Staff & Crew: 5
  • Guests: 18
  • Cabins: 10
  • Length: 30m
  • Breadth: 7.8m
  • Draft: 1.93m
  • Gross Tonnage: 76.1gt
  • Engine: 653 horsepower
  • Cruising Speed: 10 knots
  • Tenders: 2

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.

Booking Form

Please click here to download a copy of the booking form


Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

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