By New Zealand’s standards, you can’t get much more remote than Fiordland National Park. This large land mass is a treasure trove of untouched, wild landscape that is mostly only accessible by boat, plane, or a decent backcountry walk. It’s an area that seems out of reach, and it’s exactly where you venture to on the RealNZ Preservation Inlet Discovery Expedition.
Journey to the depths of the southwest and discover fiords that most people will never experience. The Preservation Inlet Discovery Expedition is a very ‘New Zealand’ adventure. See and explore the real Fiordland on this seven-day expedition aboard a purpose-built vessel. You’ll cover five of the country’s most remote fiords including Doubtful Sound, Breaksea Sound and Dusky Sound. Preservation Inlet and Chalky Inlet are on the cards too, to create a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that you’ll be telling stories of for years to come.
1. A 7-Day Discovery Expedition
A week of discovering the mystery of these fiords will be utterly awe-inspiring. Aboard the Milford Wanderer, you’ll cruise through the sheltered bays of these fiords and venture out to open sea. Step foot ashore for guided walks through native bush and sites of significance. Get up close and personal with the shoreline, and perhaps the wildlife, on a small boat or kayak and gain a newfound appreciation for Fiordland. Comfort is not forgotten, with cosy cabins, proper bathroom facilities and food to write home about. It’s a fully formed adventure in every way. Quickly find that this expedition attracts people with a shared sense of adventure. This craving for new experiences creates an exciting atmosphere from the get-go, and bonds are formed between fellow passengers. The crew make the expedition what it is, with boatloads of experience and a passion for the area that is infectious. The best part is, you’ll feel like an explorer on this incredible expedition.
Find out more about what you can expect from the discovery expedition here.
2. Access via Helicopter
Fiordland National Park is New Zealand’s largest national park. The rugged land stretches a mighty 12,600 square kilometres (roughly) and 14 glacier-carved fiords are nestled into this mountainous terrain. Parts of this region are so remote and not easily accessible that people seldom visit them. The Preservation Inlet Discovery Expedition includes one helicopter flight, either in to start your journey, or back out on the final day. Flying over the mountains, valleys and alpine lakes of Fiordland National Park is a remarkable journey, giving incredible views of this undisturbed land.
3. The Milford Wanderer
The old-world charm of the Milford Wanderer makes it very fitting for such an expedition. This motorised, modern ship looks the part for a voyage through the mighty fiords. Passengers enjoy everything they need for a comfortable journey, plus a few extras. Twin-share cabins are comfy and cosy. The main saloon is complete with a licensed bar. There’s no chance of going hungry thanks to the onboard chef who creates delicious food that is an absolute highlight. Roam the decks and find countless vantage points to view the spectacular surroundings. Perch on the top deck and chat with your onboard nature guide, or head to the bow of the vessel to capture some photos. The wheelhouse is open so you can swing by during a sea voyage and chat to the skipper. As the moody Fiordland weather sets in and you cruise back to the Wanderer after a guided walk ashore, you’ll be right at home inside the saloon soaking up the views through the large windows.
4. Onboard Nature Guide
Few questions go unanswered on this seven-day discovery expedition thanks to the onboard nature guide. Not only is your nature guide guaranteed to have experience and enthusiasm, but story-telling becomes a part of the journey too. Enjoy tales of Fiordland and its history, and the latest on the ongoing conservation efforts in this precious part of New Zealand. Visit historic sites just a short walk from the shoreline, and some of the most impressive beaches that you never knew existed. Explore predator-free Anchor Island and the very spot where New Zealand’s first conservationist based himself while creating an island sanctuary in an effort to protect endangered birdlife.
5. The Five Fiords
Discover five of the most remote and isolated fiords in New Zealand. This expedition to Preservation and Chalky Inlet and Doubtful, Dusky and Breaksea Sounds in the southwest of the South Island is bringing the mostly inaccessible fiords right to your fingertips. Preservation Inlet is the southernmost fiord in Fiordland. It’s here that you visit the site of an 1800’s gold mining settlement that never quite took off. Enjoy a cruisy 5km walk to Puysegur Point Lighthouse with views out to the Tasman Sea, before voyaging north to Chalky Inlet. Cruise between fiords and discover New Zealand’s first working whaling station, Astronomers Point where Capitan Cook stayed back in the 1700’s and amazingly, the site of New Zealand’s first European Settlement. The various channels, passages and glacier-carved cliff faces are a sight to remember. With the chance to go ashore many times during your expedition, you’ll discover golden sand beaches, windswept bush trails and even rocky caves. Experiencing these stunning locations is an adventure like no other.
6. Fiordland National Park Sunsets and Sunrises
Waking up in a sheltered cove in Dusky Sound is something one has to experience for themself. The stillness across the water and in the forest is mesmerising. Heading to the top deck with a hot coffee in hand to watch the sunrise over the mountains and hear the birdsong begin is an incredible part of the seven-day discovery expedition. Each sunrise is followed by a fantastic cooked breakfast inside the saloon before the day’s adventures continue. Equally impressive is the evening light and watching the sunset in Fiordland. Spending nights onboard the Milford Wanderer in such an isolated part of the country is incredibly special.
A unique experience like this can’t be matched, though RealNZ does run a multi-day expedition in Stewart Island that is in a league of its own. Read all about the Stewart Island Discovery Expedition here.
This article was created in paid partnership with RealNZ.
