PRESERVATION INLET cruise
Itinerary: - All cruises have a 1 way heli transfer between Manapouri and the ship. Some cruises heli in and some heli out
Commence Queenstown
2025: August 02, 08, and 30
2026: May 2, 8, 16, 22
Please note itinerary may be amended to be in the best place in the best weather!.
Itinerary heli out.
Day 1. ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN
Arrive Queenstown and you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free,
Day 2. QUEENSTOWN - MANAPOURI - CRUISE. (BD)
We drive to Manapouri and cruise across the bush fringed lake to West Arm then drive across Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. Board our comfortable home "Milford Wanderer" for the next 6 nights.. We sail mid afternoon for a 3 hour sea passage to Breaksea Sound and anchor for the night. Dinner on board.
Day 3. BREAKSEA SOUND TO DUSKY SOUND (BLD)
Cruise through the Acheron Passage to Dusky Sound and visit Shag Islands and Sportsman Cove. In the afternoon visit Luncheon Cove, the site of New Zealand's first European and sealers settlement. Optional guided walk (2,5km) over predator free Anchor Island.
Day 4. EXPLORE DUSKY SOUND (BLD)
Start the day with a visit to early conservationist Richard Henry's house site on Pigeon Island. Cruise Facile Harbour, site of New Zealand's first known shipwreck. Cruise through the Earshell Cove and the narrow channels of Resolution Island to The Basin for a walk or some kayaking.
Day 5. DUSKY SOUND TO CHALKY INLET (BLD)
Visit Pickersgill Harbour and Astronomers Point - named and used by Captain Cook during his 5 week stay in 1773. Three hour sea passage with spectacular views of the rugged Fiordland Coast to Chalky Inlet. Walk on the beach at South Port visiting the old sawmill site. Anchor at North Port near the rusting hulk of the 1800's government steamship "Stella"
Day 6. CHALKY INLET TO PRESERVATION INLET. (BLD)
In the morning visit the town site of Cromarty and the mining relics of Te Oneroa with the option of a 5 km return walk to Puysegur Point lighthouse in the afternoon.
Day 7. PRESERVATION INLET. (BLD)
Visit Tarawera smelter's reclining brick chimney and the site of New Zealand's first operational whaling station at Cuttle Cove. Also take in the golden beaches of Spit Island.
Day 8. PRESERVATION INLET - MANAPOURI - QUEENSTOWN (B)
We say farewell to our friendly crew and discover Fiordland from a new perspective as we helicopter back to Manapouri and drive back to Queenstown for 1 night.
Day 9. QUEENSTOWN DEPART (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for departure. You are welcome to stay longer if you wish.
Options to Stewart Island or why not continue on our West Coast extension departing wednesday for Franz Josef Glacier, Hokitika, Punakaiki, and Christchurch or Nelson.
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DISCOVER STEWART ISLAND - 7 days/6 nights including 1 night Invercargill hotel before and after your cruise and 5 nights cruise.
Commence Invercargill
2025: August 03, 08
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Invercargill and transfer to hotel
Day 2. Transfer to Bluff and take the catamaran to Half Moon Bay to board "Milford Wanderer". Cruise to Port Adventure, where oysters were first harvested commercially in the 1800's and finish the day with a beach or forest walk.
Day 3. Approximately 3 hours at sea to Port Pegasus with time for kayaking and/or a walk to the lookout above Evening Cove.
Day 4. Morning walk around Port Pegasus including a walk up the impressive granite peak of Bald Cone and a walk to Broad Bay or Small Craft Harbour in the afternoon.
Day 5. Visit the 1800's fishing base at North Pegasus and the Belltopper Falls then a four hour passage to Paterson Inlet in the afternoon.
Day 6. Explore the predator free bird sanctuary of Ulva Island this morning. In the afternoon visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and/or kayak Kaipipi Bay.
Day 7. This morning walk from Golden Bay to Half Moon Bay and Oban township. Return to Bluff by catamaran this afternoon and transfer back to your hotel.
Day 8. Transfer to the airport for departure.
Tour cost per person 8 days Invercargill/Invercargill
2025: 2 per cabin/room. $4,799.......Single cabin/room. $8650
Tour cost includes:
** Arrival and departure transfers in Invercargill
** 2 nights accommodation and breakfast in Invercargill
** Transfers to and from Bluff and return Catamaran to Oban
** 5 night cruise aboard "Milford Wanderer" including all meals and activities.
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