Doubtful Sound & West Coast Odyssey
7 day small group South Island tour
You’ll never forget the beauty of remote Doubtful Sound reached by a launch ride across Lake Manapouri and coach over Wilmot Pass. It’s a unique 24 hour excursion, staying overnight in en suite cabins and exploring the Sound’s many arms. Other special memories include a night at historic Cardrona Hotel and a private Eco Safari on the Waiatoto River near Haast, followed by a BBQ lunch with the locals.
WHAT TRACY LOVES ABOUT THIS TOUR: “There’s so much natural beauty to enjoy as you cruise on the TSS “Earnslaw” across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak and float amid untouched Doubtful Sound in Fiordland. We stay lakeside in Wanaka and in Westland Tai Poutini National Park at Franz Josef. I’m sure you’ll treasure the sense of discovery as you explore the stunning Waiatoto River or encounter the dramatic mountains of Arthur’s Pass.”
Day 1
Arrive in Queenstown - Arrowtown
Your flight departs mid-morning, after arrival in Queenstown we lunch at Ayburn near Lake Hayes. We call into Arrowtown’s tree-lined street, famous for its autumn colours, and check out the shops and visit the Chinese miners’ settlement alongside the Arrow River.
Later we check out Queenstown’s boutique shops and wander the lakefront. We stay two nights in this resort town and dine in this evening.
- We lunch at Ayrburn near Lake Hayes
- Later in the day wander the Queenstown lakefront
- Queenstown - Novotel Lakeside
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Accommodation
QUEENSTOWN - NOVOTEL LAKESIDE
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is the most centrally located lakefront 4-star hotel. Step outside your door and into the heart of Queenstown with easy access to all that this premier four season lake and alpine resort has to offer.
What we love about the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside – On the flat down by the great southern lake Wakatipu stroll out the front door and into all of the boutique shopping options Queenstown has to offer.
Day 2
Queenstown - Wakatipu cruise to Walter Peak Station - Queenstown
We have the day to explore Queenstown, the boutique shopping and the Botanic Gardens. Catch the Gondola to the Skyline on Bob’s Peak to enjoy the magnificent views over Lake Wakatipu to The Remarkables Range. There’s time to relax, stroll the shops and explore the lakefront.
We board the historic steamship TSS “Earnslaw” to cruise across Lake Wakatipu to dine at Walter Peak Station.
- Catch the gondola up Bob’s Peak for stunning lake and mountain views
- Cruise on the TSS “Earnslaw” to Walter Peak Station
- Queenstown - Novotel Lakeside
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Accommodation
QUEENSTOWN - NOVOTEL LAKESIDE
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is the most centrally located lakefront 4-star hotel. Step outside your door and into the heart of Queenstown with easy access to all that this premier four season lake and alpine resort has to offer.
What we love about the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside – On the flat down by the great southern lake Wakatipu stroll out the front door and into all of the boutique shopping options Queenstown has to offer.
Day 3
Queenstown - Lake Manapouri - Doubtful Sound
We drive alongside Lake Wakatipu to Manapouri where we board a launch to cruise to the head of the lake. We travel by coach through beech forests and over Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound where our small ship, “Fiordland Navigator” awaits.
We cruise the sheltered arms of this beautiful fiord out to the Tasman Sea with the ship’s nature guide keeping a lookout for marine and bird life. Seals bask on the islands at the entrance to the Sound. Later the ship anchors in a peaceful cove and we get even closer to the shoreline on an inflatable craft with your nature guide.
- Cascading waterfalls and views of the Sound from Wilmot Pass
- Stay overnight on Doubtful Sound on the 38 metre “Fiordland Navigator”
- Doubtful Sound - Fiordland Navigator
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Accommodation
DOUBTFUL SOUND - FIORDLAND NAVIGATOR
This overnight cruise explores hidden arms of Doubtful Sound. Travel close to the shoreline by tender craft with your nature guide. See seals and dolphins. Comfortable en suite cabins.
What we love about Fiordland Navigator – It’s great having a specialist nature guide on board to provide insightful commentary.
Day 4
Doubtful Sound - Manapouri - Crown Range - Wanaka
Wake up to the perfect stillness and mirror reflections of this remote wilderness. As breakfast is served the ship cruises the inner arms of the sound and returns to Deep Cove where we disembark at 10am. We retrace our steps over Wilmot Pass and across the lake to Manapouri.
At Manapouri we rejoin our coach and drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and over the tussock-covered land of the dramatic Crown Range and on to Wanaka where we stay on the lakefront and dine in.
- Wake up to perfect reflections in the deep waters of Doubtful Sound
- Stay at the Edgewater Hotel on the lakefront
- Wanaka - Edgewater Resort
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Accommodation
Wanaka - Edgewater Resort
This is the only hotel in Wanaka that’s right on the lake edge, that’s why we stay here. Nestled in a friendly Kiwi neighbourhood, with everything here we need and super friendly staff it’ feels just like home. On site spa, tennis and bikes too.
What we love about Edgewater – Walk out of your room, across the lawn and down to the lake before breakfast, you’re in New Zealand now!
Day 5
Wanaka - Haast Pass - Waiatoto River Safari - Franz Josef
Driving beside Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka and through the superb mountain and river scenery of the Haast Pass. From Hannah’s Clearing we take a memorable eco safari up the untouched Waiatoto River followed by a BBQ lunch with the locals.
On the coast at Ship Creek, wander along the wild beach and on a boardwalk through swampland rainforest. We continue northwards through rainforest to Fox Glacier and over the hill to Franz Josef to check into our accommodation at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef.
- Explore the Waiatoto River on an eco safari
- At Ship Creek the rugged coastline contrasts with the tranquil rainforest
- Franz Josef Glacier - Scenic Hotel
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Accommodation
Franz Josef Glacier - Scenic Hotel
Surrounded by lush rainforest, the Scenic Hotel has been designed with the surroundings in mind. It’s just minutes walk from everywhere but you feel like you’re miles away from it all!
What we love about Scenic – Listening to the native birdsong in the forest all around you, and seeing the spectacular West Coast sunsets.
Day 6
Franz Josef Village sightseeing - Glacier viewpoint
Enjoy a day of relaxing in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, full of amazing geology and rare flora and fauna. We join a private “Back Stage Pass” tour at the Kiwi West Coast Wildlife Centre where our guide tells the conservation stories of our two rarest kiwi.
Walk through the rainforest to see the Franz Josef Glacier from a lookout (15min each way). It is one of only three glaciers found in a rainforest.
- Relax in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park
- “Back Stage Pass” to the Kiwi West Coast Wildlife Centre
- Franz Josef Glacier - Scenic Hotel
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Accommodation
Franz Josef Glacier - Scenic Hotel
Surrounded by lush rainforest, the Scenic Hotel has been designed with the surroundings in mind. It’s just minutes walk from everywhere but you feel like you’re miles away from it all!
What we love about Scenic – Listening to the native birdsong in the forest all around you, and seeing the spectacular West Coast sunsets.
Day 7
Franz Josef - Hokitika - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch - Return flight
The Coast scenery is stunning – we pass mirror lakes, boulder-laden rivers and catch glimpses of the Southern Alps as we drive north to visit Hokitika’s artisan craft galleries. Turning eastwards, we stop for lunch at charming Theatre Royal Hotel in Kumara, then drive up the Otira Gorge on a spectacular cantilevered highway to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass.
We continue alongside the Waimakariri River and through this magnificent alpine landscape to Porters Pass and across the Canterbury Plains. Your flight departs from Christchurch in the early evening.
- Take in Hokitika’s artisan craft galleries
- Drive the dramatic Otira Gorge highway to Arthur’s Pass
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General inclusions
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers).
- Services of your knowledgeable MoaTours Kiwi guide.
- Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place”.
- Return airfares from Auckland (please ask us about flights from other airports)
All Meals Are Included
- All Breakfasts
- All Lunches
- All Dinners
Included Experiences
The following are included in your tour.Sightseeing & Exploring
You’ll visit all the following spots on the tour.
