Unseen Fiordland, Stewart Island and the Snares Cruise

Description

Join Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising, as we explore New Zealand’s remote southern backyard on this special 8-day voyage. Discover the time-forgot rawness of wildlife-rich Stewart Island/Rakiura, Zodiac cruise the rocky, inhospitable coast of The Snares – one of the world’s most important nature reserves, and experience the primordial majesty of Fiordland firsthand on this unforgettable adventure.

Heritage Expeditions pioneered expedition cruising in Fiordland more than 30 years ago. It was from these first, wild Kiwi wilderness adventures the Christchurch-based Russ family’s dream of genuine responsible tourism, which now spans some of the world’s most remote and rarely visited regions and wildlife hotspots from Antarctica through to, and including, the Arctic, was realised. After departing Bluff we set sail for Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest island, and predator-free Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara. Rich in history and wildlife, these wild and remote islands are home to a unique range of birdlife including Bellbird, Tui, Kaka, Tomtit, Rifleman, Stewart Island Robin, Saddleback, Mohua and of course, the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi (or Southern Tokoeka). There will be opportunities to listen to the native bird song and enjoy the golden sandy beaches, before taking the time to take a closer look at the history of Paterson Inlet.

Rarely visited and one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets, The Snares is internationally renowned as a wildlife haven where we should see the Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and Fernbird, New Zealand Fur Seals and tree daisy forest as we Zodiac cruise its jagged coastline. Travelling north we will cruise around South West Cape and the Muttonbird/Titi Islands, an archipelago of three rocky island chains named after the Sooty Shearwater which famously breed here. We hope to make several landings at these remote and sandy beaches and Zodiac cruise the coastline including Codfish Island/Whenua Hous with its history including sealing and, more recently, as one of the most important strongholds of critically endangered Kākāpō.

As we expedition cruise up the lower west side of New Zealand’s South Island, we prepare for the grand scale scenery of Fiordland. Exploring these remote ice carved mountains, verdant forests and winding fiords, it is easy to see why this incredible region inspired our dream for responsible travel. In the calm waters of Fiordland, and away from the crowds, we can expect to encounter playful New Zealand Fur Seals, curious Dusky Dolphins, elusive birds and enjoy endless stunning vistas.

During our time here we plan to Zodiac cruise glittering waterways amid the podocarp forest cloaked spines of Anchor and Resolution Islands and the tiny islands of Dusky Sound where orchids, flame-tipped Rata and clusters of alpine tree daisies put on an impressive floral display.

On predator-free Anchor Island, home to half the world’s population of Kākāpō as well as Little Spotted Kiwi, we’ll walk around Lake Kirirua, its surface reflecting the surrounding forest, before arriving at historic Luncheon Cove – a location of New Zealand firsts including first sealing gang, first European settlement and first ship built in the country. Discover hidden inlets, coves and beaches as we Zodiac cruise Sportsman Cove and explore Cooper Island and experience Fiordland from above with an optional helicopter extension. Discover unseen New Zealand on this iconic Kiwi adventure to rarely visited shores.

Trip Name

Unseen Fiordland, Stewart Island and the Snares Cruise

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 72 metres Passenger Capacity: 50 Built / refurbished: 1984 / 2018 The Spirit of Enderby is a fully ice-strengthened expedition vessel, built in 1984 for polar and oceanographic research and is perfect for Expedition Travel. She carries just 50 passengers and was refurbished in November 2004 to provide comfortable accommodation in twin share cabins approximately half of which have private facilities. All cabins have outside windows or portholes and ample storage space. On board there is a combined bar/library lounge area and a dedicated lecture room. The cuisine is excellent and is prepared by top NZ and Australian chefs. The real focus and emphasis of every expedition is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. Our Expeditions are accompanied by some of the most experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that we visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Captain and crew. The name Spirit of Enderby honours the work and the vision of the Enderby Brothers of London. The Enderby Captains were at the forefront of Antarctic exploration for almost 40 years in the early 1800’s. It also celebrates Enderby Island, arguably the greatest Subantarctic Island in the world. a) our fleet of RIB’s, (rigid inflatable boats) sometimes referred to as zodiacs. These extremely safe and stable craft will land you at some of the most amazing places.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Queenstown

Make your way to the HiltonQueenstown Resort & Spa wherewe will spend the first night ofthe expedition. This evening aninformal dinner at the hotel is anexcellent opportunity to meetfellow adventurers and some ofyour expedition team.

Day 2 - Day 2: Milford Sound

Today we enjoy breakfast inthe hotel restaurant after whichyou will be transferred to MilfordSounds stopping at Mirror Lakes,Knobs Flat and Homer Tunnelbefore enjoying a spectacular3-hour nature cruise of MilfordSound under the shadow ofmighty Mitre Peak. After this wewill transfer you to the ship.The captain and expedition teamwill be waiting for your arrival atthe ship to greet you and showyou to your cabin. You will havethe opportunity to familiariseyourself on board and there willbe formal introductions to theteam followed by safety briefings.Join the captain on the bridge orfellow travellers on deck as we setsail for Doubtful and Dusky Sounds.

Day 3 - Days 3 – 5: Fiordland

We have three days to explorethe incredible wilderness of fiordsin the south-west corner of theSouth Island. This is an area richin history, majestic scenery andabundant in wildlife. Fiordlandwas well known to local Maoripeople, with the demi-god Tu-teraki-whanoa being said to haveused his adze, Te Hamo, to carveout the region’s fiords. CaptainCook and his crew landed hereon HMS Resolution in 1773, theywere the first Europeans to visitFiordland, subsequently spendingfive weeks in Dusky Sound. Cook’srecords of his discovery and mapsattracted sealers and whalers notlong after who then formed thefirst European settlements of NewZealand, historically this region isvery important and shaped thefuture of the country.Fiordland’s coast is onlyaccessible by sea, making itthe most remote region of NewZealand’s mainland. Waterfalls,streams, rivers and fiords areenveloped with misty veils thatcome and go, revealing steepgradients of mountain peaksand sheltered valleys. A ruggedterrain, the thickly forested floors are covered with ferns, lichensand mosses. Bottlenose Dolphins,Fiordland Crested Penguins andLittle Penguins are all residents ofthe fiords; during our time herewe will look out for them. Ourschedule gives us the flexibility tovisit as much as possible, areaswe plan to visit during our timein Fiordland include DoubtfulSound, Dusky Sound and AcheronPassage, Astronomer’s Point andPickersgill Harbour. During ourtime in Dusky Sound there will bethe opportunity to experiencean unforgettable helicopter flightthrough the Sound swoopingdown alongside Cooper Islandand Cook Channel with a landingon Mt Pender where spectacularvistas of islands stretching into thehorizon and dotting the windingfiords can be enjoyed.

Day 4 - Day 6: The Snares — North East Island

Today we plan to Zodiac cruisethe craggy coastline of theseancient granite islands on anunforgettable wildlife safari. You’llsoon discover why these pristinenature reserves have beenafforded both UNESCO WorldHeritage status and the highestlevel of government protectionas we explore sea caves andobserve wildlife in spectacularnumbers. Highlights include SnaresCrested Penguins navigatingthe treacherous ‘Penguin Slide’,New Zealand Fur Seals lazing onjagged rocks, inquisitive Hooker’s/New Zealand Sea Lions whichmay approach our Zodiacsand looking for endemic SnaresFernbirds and Tomtits among thelarge tree daisy forests. SootyShearwaters are often seen inincredible numbers rafting on thewater and Buller’s Albatross havealso been observed nesting andsoaring above these pricelessecosystems.

Day 5 - Day 7: Stewart Island — Ulva Island

New Zealand’s third island is welloff the usual beaten tourist track.It is a wonderfully tranquil placeand with 85 per cent of the islanddesignated national park, thescenery of untouched bushland isstunning. Despite its small statureon most maps, Stewart Islandhas 700-kilometres of coastlineso there is much to explore andexperience here.Enjoy the impressive bird songas we explore Ulva Island, richin history and wildlife, which hasbeen predator-free since 1997.Some of the wildlife you may getto see while walking its tracks andexploring Boulder and West EndBeaches, Post Office Bay andSydney Cove include StewartIsland Robin, Stewart Island Weka,South Island Kaka, Kereru (woodpigeon), Mohua (yellowhead),Red-crowned Parakeet, Fantail,Bellbird and Tui. There are manymore species that may alsobe seen, our knowledgeableexpedition guides will be listeningfor bird calls and keeping a closewatch in overhead canopies andthe surrounding shrubs to identifyfurther species.In Paterson Inlet visit the historicNorwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and Kaipipi Bay, wherefrom 1923 and 1933 the Ross SeaWhaling Company of Sandefjord,Norway ran a repair base wherechaser boats were serviced inpreparation for the Antarcticsummer. Discover quirky towncentre Oban in Halfmoon Baywhere a drink with a view can beenjoyed at the historic and iconicSouth Sea Hotel.Our final plan will be determinedby the weather. The Captain andExpedition Leader will work hardto make the best use of our timein this incredible region of NewZealand, including areas that fewNew Zealanders have visited. Theisolation of Fiordland has beenbeneficial because its beautyremains unspoiled and its historicsites undisturbed.On the evening of Day 7 we willenjoy a celebratory dinner withnewfound friends and reflect on awealth of new experiences fromour adventure.

Day 6 - Day 8: Invercargill

We arrive at the Port of Bluff earlyin the morning. After breakfastthere will be a last minuteopportunity to bid farewellto your expedition team asyou disembark and board ourcomplimentary coach transferto either a central city point orto the airport. Our adventureends but memories will last longbeyond this.In case of unexpected delaysdue to weather and/or portoperations we ask you not tobook any onward travel fromInvercargill until after midday.

Day 7 - Please Note:

During our voyage,circumstances may make itnecessary or desirable to deviatefrom the proposed itinerary.This can include poor weatherand opportunities for makingunplanned excursions. YourExpedition Leader will keep youfully informed.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Enjoy Stewart Island & Ulva Island
Discover the Snares
Spend 3 days exploring Fiordland
Visit Stewart Island