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Discover Stewart Island And Fiordland
Visit: Stewart Island - Ulva Island - Great Walk Rakiura Track - Invercargill - Te Anau Glowworm Caves - Ata Whenua - Milford Sound Cruise - Queenstown
The Discover Stewart Island and Fiordland Package is designed for travel for (minimum 2 pax) and include a rental car for travel from Invercargill to Queenstown via Fiordland.
This itinerary showcases that best that both Stewart Island and Fiordland have to offer.
On arrival into Invercargill Airport,please collect your luggage. You will be met outside the airport terminal across from the pedestrian crossing and transferred to the Bluff Ferry terminal.
In Bluff you will board the Ferry to Stewart Island. Experience Foveaux Strait onboard an express catamaran. During the one-hour crossing on the Stewart Island Ferry between Bluff and Oban keep a lookout for wildlife, especially seabirds. Comprehensive commentaries provide information on the interesting landmarks commonly seen, including Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, the Titi Islands and Mt Anglem - Stewart Island’s highest point. After crossing Foveaux Strait and arriving at Oban – the main settlement on Stewart Island you will be transferred to the Observation Rock Lodge. Dinner is included tonight.
Meet at Golden Bay Wharf at 08.40am for an Ulva Island guided walk. Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara), is renowned for its diverse and abundant birdlife with a forest dominated by Rimu, Southern Rata and Kamahi, surrounded by marine reserve. It was visited by Ngai Tahu Maori as part of their food gathering trips and in the 1890s it became one of New Zealand’s first reserves. This 267 hectare island is now predator free, allowing the bird and plantlife to thrive. Today you will be guided by a Stewart Island local, who has the knowledge and know how to take you through Ulva Island. You will be transferred to Ulva Island by water taxi before having an informative and interesting walk on this unique island. After returning to Golden Bay Wharf please make your way to the Oban Visitor Centre where you will explore Oban and the surrounding bays in a mini-bus tour at 1.00pm. Experienced guides enjoy sharing their local knowledge of the history and environment of Stewart Island with you. Gain an insight into New Zealand’s southernmost community. Stewart Islanders are proud of their island, enjoying its simpler, slower pace. Highlights include Lee Bay, the gateway to Rakiura National Park and stunning views of Paterson Inlet from Observation Rock during this 1 hour 30 minutes tour. On return to Oban you have the rest of the afternoon free to relax.
This morning enjoy a guided walk on one of the most popular coastal and native bush walks on Stewart Island. Meeting at Halfmoon Bay Wharf at 8.50am. Water taxi to Port William, site of early Maori settlement, before continuing on to beautiful Maori beach. This was also where early Maori settled and later became a saw milling community in the early 1900s. We then make our way to Lee Bay via Little River, a stunning tidal river mouth, overhanging with Rata trees. Along the coast lookout for a plethora of birdlife, such as, Mutton birds (Sooty Shearwaters), Shags, Buller’s Mollymawks, Cape Pigeons, and little Blue Pengiuns. In the native bush you may see and hear Bellbirds, Tui, Fantails, Parakeets, Shining Cuckoos, Grey Warblers, Kaka and Tomtits. Walking time: 4-5 hrs incl Water Taxi
Tonight you are in for a real treat with a night time Kiwi Spotting Tour. Meet at Beaks and Feathers office on Main Road. The tour will commence at 10.45pm and will give you the ultimately special opportunity to experience kiwi in their natural environment. We have exclusive access to private land where New Zealand’s precious kiwi come out at night to feed (weather dependent).
Today is yours to enjoy how you see fit. You could visit the museum, walk the short tracks, stroll around the bush clad streets – so much to see. Get on a bike – push yourself or grab an electric one. Great beaches to explore and a cool way to get there. Create your own pendant out of pounamu (greenstone) with Dave at Jade. Hire a kayak and explore the bays in this pristine natures playground. Dinner is included tonight.
Today it is time to depart this paradise island and return to the main land. Board the catamaran and enjoy the cruise across the Straight to Bluff. In Bluff you will be met and transferred to the rental car company, located at Invercargill Airport to collect your vehicle.
Drive to Te Anau and check into Distinction Luxmore Hotel
41 Town Centre
Te Anau
Today please make your way to the Real Journeys Visitor Centre Manapouri, located at Pearl Harbour, on the lakefront.
Doubtful Sound is a beautiful fiord; three times longer than Milford Sound, with twisting arms, it has a surface area ten times larger. With its rugged peaks, verdant rainforest and twisting, hidden inlets, Doubtful Sound will take your breath away. There’s no direct road access, so the only way you can to get to Doubtful Sound is a cruise across the picturesque Lake Manapouri, followed by a bus trip over Wilmot Pass - New Zealand's most expensive (and majestic) road. We’ll pause along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glistening below. This isolation makes this fiord a very special place, only those in the know get to see. Once you arrive, you will board the Fiordland Navigator for a 3 hour (approximately) cruise on Doubtful Sound - a spectacular pristine fiord. During the cruise the knowledgeable and friendly nature guides will share with you their passion for the region. They’re always ready to answer questions, point out landmarks and provide all the information about the varied wildlife you may see, including dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Dinner on board is included tonight
Today please make your way to the Real Journeys Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau for your Glowworm caves tour.
Experience a mysterious underground world with a guided cave tour past the rushing water of an underground stream before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms. Your trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves begins with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau on one of the purpose-built scenic cruise vessels. At the entry to the caves at Cavern House, view the informative displays and learn about this geological wonder before you join your guide underground. On the tour of the caves, the friendly guides will point out the highlights and share their knowledge of the caves and its history. Deep inside the caves, you will be taken by small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by hundreds of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Fiordland Cinema – Ata Whenua, Shadowlands screening.
Ata Whenua – Shadowland brings you the Fiordland World Heritage Status wilderness you would otherwise never see. Mysterious, evocative, exhilarating and utterly spectacular, filmed mostly from a helicopter across extremes of season, climate and terrain, it will take you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth.
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Today embark on what for many is the scenic trip of a lifetime – to Milford Sound. On route stop at the magical Mirror Lakes and pass through the Homer Tunnel before boarding your cruise and surveying the fiord. The road to Milford Sound is highly scenic and has many beautiful stops and short walks.
Car parking at Milford can be in short supply so please allow extra time to find a park in the summer months.
Take an easy 5 minute scenic walk to the terminal building via the raised walkway and check in at 20 minutes before the departure time at the Cruise Milford Desk on your left as you enter through the main entrance. Following your cruise, retrace your journey back to Te Anau.
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
After breakfast today make your way to Queenstown and check in to the centrally located Scenic Suites Hotel.
27 Stanley Street, Queenstown
This evening visit the The Original Onsen experience at Onsen Hot Pools. The idyllic cedar-lined hot tubs have long been a highlight for Queenstown visitors and locals alike. A unique kiwi twist on a Japanese tradition, you will have exclusive use of one of our classic indoor cedar tubs for 60 minutes as you kick back, relax and enjoy your surrounds. Each pool is heated to approx. 38.5 degrees and comes with a retractable roof. You will receive towels and a complimentary drink and snack to enjoy during your rejuvenating soak.
160 Arthurs Point Road
Arthurs Point, Queenstown
Today it is time to depart, please make your way to the Rental car depot at the Queenstown airport to drop off your rental car
Inclusion
Airport transfer on arrival
09 nights’ accommodation
Transfers and meals as specified
Exclusion
International airfares
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included
Note
Include a rental car for travel from Invercargill to Queenstown via Fiordland
Private Touring
- Flexible Dates
- Flexible Itinerary
- Upgrade Accommodation
- Local Guide Service
- Modern Airconditioned Vehicle
Tour Category
Tour Vehicle
Car or Small Van AC
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Discover Stewart Island
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