All Fiords–North Bound

Hiking, Birding, Swimming , Kayaking , Birding, Photography, Botany, Cultural, History, Cetacean watching

There are14 fiords in the Fiordland National Park. They were carved out of the mountains about 20,000 years ago by glaciers. Only two of them, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, are accessible by road the rest can only be reached by boat. They are amongst the most remote and inaccessible places in New Zealand.   This expedition does what no other expedition does and that’s explores all of the Fiords giving you the opportunity to see and experience everything that makes these Fiords so unique and so alluring. 

Day 1

Joining the Expedition. We will arrange for a complimentary shuttle bus to pick you up (usually around 9:00am)from your Te Anau accommodation and transfer you to the heliport to join a helicopter transfer to the head of Long Sound (Preservation Inlet). On arrival you will be welcomed aboard the Strannik where you will be introduced to the team and the vessel. We plan to get underway for the lower reaches of Preservation Inlet to begin our exploration shortly thereafter. 

Day 2 – 13

We continue the journey we started yesterday making our way north, enjoying and exploring each of the individual Fiords, or Sounds as they are commonly referred to on most charts. Our objectives are simple:- a) to overwhelm and excite you with everything that Fiordland has to offer, and help you make sense of it all, including the weather, the seascapes, the landscapes, the wildlife, the forests, the history (pre and post-European) the conservation work and values. b) to welcome you aboard as a fellow expeditioner and farewell you as a friend and a committed advocate for the continued protection of this amazing place.

We will linger at the most spectacular locations and areas of cultural and natural history, anchoring overnight in some of the most spectacular anchorages anywhere in the world.

We plan to visit the following Fiords and highlights.

Preservation Inlet

Pre-European history, the site of one of New Zealand’s earliest whaling stations, gold mining relics, Puysegur Point lighthouse, the abandoned Tarawera smelter and Long Sound. 

Chalky Inlet

Edwardson and Cunaris Sounds, North and South Ports. 

Dusky Sound

Pre-European and early European history (Captain Cook, Sealing Gangs), New Zealand’s first shipwreck, Resolution and Anchor Islands and the current conservation work, Dusky Bay track, examine the history of moose in New Zealand. 

Breaksea Sound

Gateway to the Acheron Passage, Broughton and Vancouver arms, Acheron Passage and Wet Jacket arm.  

Dagg Sound

Anchorage arm. 

Doubtful Sound

Transit through on our way north. 

Thompson Sound

Northern Gateway to Doubtful Sound, Secretary Island.

Nancy Sound

One of the least known and visited Fiords.

Charles Sound

Gold and Emelius arms.

Caswell Sound

American – New Zealand 1949 Fiordland expedition hut and track to Lake Marchant

George Sound

Alice Falls, the terminus of the George Sound Track, Southwest arm.  

Big Sound

Remote and seldom visited.

Day 14 – Farewells  

Breakfast aboard the Strannik anchored in Milford Sound, then sadly it’s time for our farewells, before joining a private transfer to Te Anau and your accommodation, or using your own transport arrangements.

Please note, we do not publish a day to day itinerary, except for the first and the last days, because these are expeditions. However, each of our expeditions has a clear goal or objective and you have a role in both defining and achieving those. That, in our opinion, is the spirit of genuine expedition travel. Also please note, these are not “guided” trips, but the crew on board know the areas we are visiting intimately. There will be significant resources on board for your use.  

Download booklet here https://strannikoceanvoyages.com/media/uploads/fiordland_booklet.pdf

Please contact Rodney Russ for more information