Fiordland
lakes, fiords & majestic peaks

• Sail across the deep waters of Lake Te Anau and South Fiord on a historic wooden motor-sailer
• Explore Lord of the Rings country including the remote Mavora Lakes
• Get closer to wildlife and waterfalls on a boutique small boat cruise on Milford Sound
• Your floatplane flight offers stunning views of the Kepler Mountains, Lake Manapouri, and Hidden Lakes
• Thrilling Jet Boat ride down the beautiful Waiau River 
• Journey across the lake to see spectacular glow worm caves and an underground waterfall
• Enjoy stunning lake views from your 4-star lakefront accommodation 

26 February

Independent arrival in TeAnau. Meet your guide and fellow travellers over dinner this evening.

27 February

Today you’ll enjoy a full-day excursion into Milford Sound. This journey is one of the most spectacular in the country and you’ll have plenty of stops and short walks along the way to take in the magnificent landscapes. You’ll drive through the vast Eglington Valley and along the Hollyford River, then through the Homer Tunnel and down the other side to Milford where you’ll join your cruise. You’ll cruise the Sound on a smaller boat with fewer passengers and an enthusiastic crew that offers a very informative and personal tour of Milford Sound. The smaller boat means you get closer to the wildlife and nature including the New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, massive rock faces rising for hundreds of metres out of the sea and the waterfalls cascading from an ancient rainforest high in the mountains. Picnic lunch during the cruise. This cruise will be a highlight of your Fiordland adventure. Return to Te Anau with more interesting stops along the way.

28 February

Enjoy a relaxing 3 hour cruise on Lake Te Anau today on a beautiful old wooden motor-sailer, built in 1935 in Scotland. She served in WW2, hosted Sir Winston Churchill, has sailed all over the world and now calls Lake Te Anau and Fiordland National Park her home. There’s no other boat like her in New Zealand. Help to hoist the sails, visit the engine room or just sit back and experience the tranquillity of this famous World Heritage Area. Later today you’ll visit the amazing glowworm caves on the other side of the lake and enjoy a short bushwalk through the ancient Fiordland forest.

01 March

Today you’ll experience an exciting jetboat ride on the beautiful Waiau River before boarding your floatplane for stunning mountain and lake views on your flight back to Te Anau. Free time today to explore Te Anau’s shops, enjoy a stroll along the lakefront or maybe visit the local cinema to watch the 30 minute film Ata Whenua – Shadowland, a bird’s eye view of Fiordland’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

02 March

On this full-day excursion you’ll visit the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary for a guided tour to see some of the rarest birds in the country including the Takahe and Kaka, before setting off to find some hidden gems and famous Lord of The Rings sights including the Dead Marshes and Rainbow Reach at the start of the Kepler Track. Visit Lake Manapouri, the gateway to Doubtful Sound, and hear about its history including the construction of the Manapouri hydro dam, the largest in the country. Departing Manapouri you’ll drive to the remote Mavora Lakes region. Here you will find amazing landscapes but also several famous LOTR’s filming locations. This spot is paradise for nature lovers and LOTR fans alike so while here you will enjoy some free time to explore and enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Te Anau.

03 March

Your Fiordland adventure ends after breakfast. An optional transfer to Queenstown is available on request (must be pre-booked).