All Fiords – South Bound

Hiking, Birding, Swimming , Kayaking , Photography, 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 to pick you up from your Te Anau accommodation and transfer you and other expedition members to Milford Sound. It is a stunning two and a half hour journey and a brilliant introduction to Fiordland. On arrival in Milford Sound you will be welcomed aboard the Strannik where we will introduce you to the team and the vessel. If the weather is OK we plan to get underway for Bounty Haven in Bligh Sound. 

Day 2 – 13

We continue the journey we started yesterday making our way south, 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 committed advocate for the continued protection of this amazing place.      

We will linger at the most speculator 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.  

George Sound

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

Caswell Sound

American – New Zealand 1949 Fiordland Expedition Hut and the track to Lake Marchant.

Charles Sound

Gold and Emelius arms. 

Nancy Sound

One of the least known and visited Fiords. 

Thompson Sound

Northern gateway to Doubtful Sound, Secretary Island.

Doubtful Sound

Transit on our way South. 

Breaksea Sound

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

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 NZ. 

Chalky Inlet

Edwardson and Cunaris Sounds, North and South ports.

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. 

Day 14 – Farewells 

Breakfast aboard the Strannik anchored at the head of Long Sound (Preservation Inlet) then, sadly, it’s time for our farewells, before joining a helicopter flight to Te Anau and your accommodation, or own transport arrangements.    

Please note, we do not publish a day to day itinerary, except for 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.  

Requirements may vary depending on what passport you are travelling with. It is your responsibility to check to ensure you are compliant.