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 on the Wanaka lakefront at Edgewater 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 float amid untouched Doubtful Sound in Fiordland and jet boat up the stunning Waiatoto River. 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 encounter the dramatic mountains of Arthur’s Pass and rugged Jackson Bay on the West Coast.”
Day 1
Fly to Queenstown – Arrowtown – Kingston – Te Anau
From Queenstown Airport we drive over to lunch near Arrowtown. There’s time to wander through the Chinese miners’ settlement alongside the Arrow River, check out the shopping and the tree-lined street.
Then we head alongside the deep blue glacial waters of Lake Whakatipu to Kingston and on to stay and dine in at our Te Anau hotel.
- Stroll through the Chinese miners’ settlement, Arrowtown
- See Lake Whakatipu and the Remarkables range
- Te Anau - Distinction Hotel
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Accommodation
TE ANAU - DISTINCTION HOTEL
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated to make the most of this beautiful area.
What we love about Distinction Hotel – Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges, this 4 star hotel and villa accommodation sets the tone for your stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions.
Day 2
Te Anau – Lake Manapouri – Wilmot Pass – Doubtful Sound
Explore Te Anau and drive 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 3
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 4
Wanaka – Haast Pass – Waiatoto River Safari – Jackson Bay – Haast
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.
Explore out to remote Jackson Bay with its penguins and seals, before arriving at Asure Aspiring Court Motel, Haast. We dine out at The Hard Antler.
- Explore the Waiatoto River on an eco safari
- At Jackson Bay we explore this sheltered bay
- Haast - Asure Aspiring Court Motel
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Accommodation
Haast - Asure Aspiring Court Motel
Centrally located within the heart of Haast township, Asure Aspiring Court Motel has lovely established grounds. With the Southern Alps as a backdrop, Haast provides a natural break between the Wanaka area to the south, and Glacier Country to the north.
What we love about Asure Aspiring Court Motel – Southern hospitality at this motel complex in Haast provides the perfect springboard to explore the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.
Day 5
Haast – Ship Creek – Lake Matheson – Franz Josef
Catch up on wild, local history at Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre. In Westland Tai Poutini National Park at Ship Creek, wander along the wild beach and on a boardwalk through swampland rainforest.
Further into Glacier Country, we lunch at Matheson Café and take an optional stroll (20 mins each way) to the jetty viewpoint. Stay two nights at Scenic Hotel Franz Josef.
- Find out more about the local history at Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre
- 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.
