Preservation Inlet 7 day cruise + 2 nights Queenstown

PRESERVATION INLET and BEST OF FIORDLAND

9 days / 8 nights. February 25 - March 07 2023 

Itinerary: - Please note itinerary may be amended to be in the best place in the best weather!.

Day 1. Saturday. 25 February, 2023.     ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN

Arrive Queenstown and you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free,

Day 2, Sunday. 26 February.    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 ther 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. Monday. 27 February.          BREAKSEA SOUND TO DUSKY SOUND  (BLD)

Cruise through the Acheron Passage to Dusky Soiund 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.  Tuesday. 28 March.         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. Wednesday. 01 March.                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. Thursday. 02 March.       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. Friday. 03 March.      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. Saturday. 04 March.        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.  Sunday. 05 March          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.