*Photocredit: Real Journeys
Package includes:
- 5 days car hire, Queenstown Return
- TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner
- 1 night accommodation at Millenium Hotel Queenstown
- Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, Fiordland Navigator
- 1 night accommodation at Blue Ridge Te Anau
- Milford Sound overnight cruise, Milford Mariner
- Meals as detailed in the itinerary. B (breakfast), D (dinner)
Excursion choice:
- Fiordland Jet Wilderness Cruise or Scenic Cruise Lake Te Anau
- Scenic Cruise on Lake Te Anau
Itinerary:
Day 1: Queenstown Airport to Queenstown City (D)
The rental company will pick you up at the airport.
Included: Evening Dinner cruise on TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm - It’s New Zealand’s most iconic boat and one of Queenstown’s most historic destinations. For a dining experience like no other, cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the iconic TSS Earnslaw and discover Queenstown’s incomparable fine dining destination.Cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across to Walter Peak High Country Farm. The cruise showcases some of Queenstown’s spectacular alpine scenery and time to explore a piece of Queenstown’s living history – the one-hundred-year-old TSS Earnslaw.
- Overnight accommodation: at Millennium Queenstown
Day 2: Queenstown to Manapouri/Doubtful Sound (B,D)
From Queenstown pass through Lumsden on towards Te Anau before arriving in Manapouri.
Your Doubtful Sound cruise adventure begins with a short cruise across island-studded Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass. You will then descend to Doubtful Sound to meet the crew of the Fiordland Navigator awaiting you in Deep Cove. The Fiordland Navigator is designed along the lines of a traditional sailing vessel, combining the charm of a bygone era with all modern comforts including spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon/fully licensed bar and an observation lounge. During the afternoon, you will cruise the full length of the fiord, weaving through hidden coves and waterways. Bottlenose dolphins are often encountered, fur seals bask on the rocks and, at times, rare penguins can be seen. As evening draws near, the crew will drop anchor in a sheltered cove, allowing you to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender craft (small boat) with a nature guide. For the more adventurous, there’s even a chance to go swimming. In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the onboard chef and relax in the saloon before retiring to your cosy bed.
- Included: Cooked breakfast, Cruise, dinner
- Accommodation: Doubtful Sound Overnight cruise onboard Fiordland Navigator with ensuite cabins.
Day 3: Manapouri/Doubtful Sound – Te Anau (B)
Doubtful Sound - The Ship awakes, and after breakfast you have a leisurely cruise back towards Deep Cove and from there end the journey with a trip back across the Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri. - End of the cruise at approximately 12:30pm
- Accommodation: Blue Ridge B&B
Day 4: Te Anau – Milford Sound (B,D)
Choice of morning excursion (please advise your preference at the time of booking):
- Fiordland Jet Pure Wilderness Tour
- Cruise on Lake Te Anau
In the afternoon from Te Anau, head north towards Milford Sound.
An overnight cruise is the ultimate way to experience Milford Sound. Onboard the Milford Mariner, it is the perfect opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and get a sense of the serenity that the fiord offers.
After boarding the Milford Mariner, guests enjoy a full length cruise of the fiord out to the Tasman Sea. The flexible nature of the cruise means there is ample time to look out for wildlife such as seals, penguins and dolphins. The Nature Guide ensures ensures an immersive experience as guests learn all about the history and natural environment of the fiord. Activities are included, which means that guests can choose a paddle in a kayak, or hop on board a tender craft to explore the fiord up close. The boat will anchor in the shelter of Harrison Cove overnight.
A sumptuous three-course buffet dinner is served in the dining saloon, followed by a Nature Guide presentation in the forward saloon. Beverages are available for purchase at the licensed bar. In the morning there is time for further cruising on the fiord before returning to the Milford Wharf.
- Included: Overnight cruise onboard Milford Marnier with ensuite cabin, choice of Jetboat or Scenic Cruise, breakfast, dinner (no drinks)
Day 5: Milford Sound – Queenstown Airport (B)
9.30am return to Milford Sound wharf and disembark. Return to Te Anau, drive back to Queenstown at your leisure with car due to be dropped off by 4:30pm.
- Included: Continental breakfast
About Queenstown & Fiordland Sounds:
The stunning town of Queenstown is renowned for being one of the adventure capitals of New Zealand with some of the most breath-taking views. Fiordland sounds is a World Heritage Site that includes Milford, Dusky, nad Doubtful Sounds. The scenery in this region is unmatched and will create jaw-dropping memories, lasting a lifetime.
Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand’s treasured natural icons and is internationally recognised as part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage site, Te Wāhipounamu (Place of the Greenstone). It is home to glaciers, alpine ranges and unique flora and fauna that has been in existence since New Zealand was part of the supercontinent Gondwanaland.
