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Unseen Fiordland & Stewart Island | Heritage Adventurer

6 Days
From £ 2,791

Trip Code: NZHEUF

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Queenstown, New Zealand

Finish: Queenstown, New Zealand

SHIP: Heritage Adventurer

DestinationDestination

New Zealand and Subantarctic Islands

DestinationDeparture Date

27/12/2025

MealsMeals

Dinner & Breakfast at Hotel; All Meals Onboard the Ship

TransportTransport

Group transfers from Queenstown Hotel to ship for Embarkation & from Bluff port to Invercargill or Queenstown airport after Disembarkation

TransportAccommodation

Hotel & Cabin Onboard a Ship



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map

Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Daily Excursions, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team

 

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on government regulations, weather & ice conditions 

OVERVIEW

Explore the remote corners of New Zealand and the Sub Antarctic islands on this incredible 6 day voyage. On board the Heritage Adventurer you will discover the raw wildlife of Stewart and Ulva Islands before exploring the majestic Fiordland. Stewart and Ulva Islands are home to a unique array of birdlife including bellbirds, Tomtit, Rifleman, Saddlebacks and the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi. Here you will have the opportunity to hear incredible native bird songs and see pristine golden sandy beaches. 

As you cruise the western parts of New Zealand's south island you will soon be exposed to the grand scenery of Fiordland. Complete with remote, ice-carved mountains, winding fiords and woodland forests, these are some of the most pristine landscapes on Earth. Zodiac cruise among the glittering waterways and search for unique wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, Dusky dolphins and elusive bird species.

ITINERARY

Arrival and Overnight in Queenstown

Guests should make their way to the designated hotel where we will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening there will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our expedition team.

Port of Bluff and Stewart Island

Today we enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant before departing for the Port of Bluff and Stewart Island before embarking your ship. New Zealand’s third island is well off the usual beaten tourist track. It is a wonderfully tranquil place and with 85 per cent of the island designated national park, the scenery of untouched bushland is stunning. Despite its small stature on most maps, Stewart Island has 700-kilometres of coastline so there is much to explore and experience here. Enjoy the impressive bird song as we explore Ulva Island, rich in history and wildlife, which has been predator-free since 1997. Some of the wildlife you may get to see while walking its tracks and exploring Boulder and West End Beaches, Post Office Bay and Sydney Cove include Stewart Island Robin, Stewart Island Weka, South Island Kaka, Kereru (wood pigeon), Mohua (yellowhead), Red-crowned Parakeet, Fantail, Bellbird and Tui. There are many more species that may also be seen, our knowledgeable expedition guides will be listening for bird calls and keeping a close watch in overhead canopies and the surrounding shrubs to identify further species. In Paterson Inlet visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and Kaipipi Bay, where from 1923 and 1933 the Ross Sea Whaling Company of Sandefjord, Norway ran a repair base where chaser boats were serviced in preparation for the Antarctic summer. Discover quirky town centre Oban in Halfmoon Bay where a drink with a view can be enjoyed at the historic and iconic South Sea Hotel.

Fiordland - Day 3 to 5

We have three days to explore the incredible wilderness of fiords in the south-west corner of the South Island. This is an area rich in history, majestic scenery and abundant in wildlife. Fiordland was well known to local Maori people, with the demi-god Tu-teraki-whanoa being said to have used his adze, Te Hamo, to carve out the region’s fiords. Captain Cook and his crew landed here on HMS Resolution in 1773, they were the first Europeans to visit Fiordland, subsequently spending five weeks in Dusky Sound. Cook’s records of his discovery and maps attracted sealers and whalers not long after who then formed the first European settlements of New Zealand, historically this region is very important and shaped the future of the country. Fiordland’s coast is only accessible by sea, making it the most remote region of New Zealand’s mainland. Waterfalls, streams, rivers and fiords are enveloped with misty veils that come and go, revealing steep gradients of mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. A rugged terrain, the thickly forested floors are covered with ferns, lichens and mosses. Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and Little Penguins are all residents of the fiords; during our time here we will look out for them. Our schedule gives us the flexibility to visit as much as possible, areas we plan to visit during our time in Fiordland include Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound and Acheron Passage, Astronomer’s Point and Pickersgill Harbour. Our final plan will be determined by the weather. The Captain and Expedition Leader will work hard to make the best use of our time in this incredible region of New Zealand, including areas that even few New Zealanders have visited. The isolation of Fiordland has been beneficial because its beauty remains unspoiled and its historic sites undisturbed. On the evening of Day 5 we will enjoy a celebratory dinner with newfound friends and reflect on a wealth of new experiences from our adventure.

Depart in Queenstown/Invercargill

Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final breakfast we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and disembark in Bluff Harbour.

Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed.

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDF

Important Information

  • Prices are based on per person, twin share* (unless otherwise stated for triple/quad cabins) 

    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. 

    Itinerary is subject to change depending on government regulations, weather and ice conditions

  • INCLUSIONS

    Pre/post cruise transfers to/from the ship (does not include airport arrival transfer to hotel)*
    One night hotel accommodation in Queenstown in a twin share room (incl. dinner/breakfast)
    Cabin Accommodation on board vessel
    All meals whilst on board; house beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner 
    Landing Fees (valued at 500USD per person) 
    Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition crew
    Expeditions by zodiac according to itinerary

     

    EXCLUSIONS

    International flights
    Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified
    Meals other than those specified in the pre-departure information
    Pre or post cruise travel expenses
    Any optional activities not mentioned in itinerary
    Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable) 
    Travel insurance
    All items of a personal nature
    Laundry and drinks
    Customary gratuities for staff and expedition crew

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available on request. Subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.

  • Departure date,  fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.

FROM PRICE INFORMATION

  • From Price based on 27 Dec 2025 Departure - Main Deck Triple Cabin
  • Please enquire for single pricing


Please Contact Us for the latest availability, pricing and details of your preferred voyage. Chimu Adventures are Antarctica & Subantarctic Island experts and we will endeavour to find you the perfect expedition cruise to ensure you have an unforgettable adventure!

NOTE: Pricing is subject to change, currency fluctuation and availability at the time of booking and may be varied without notice by us or any of the operators and partners we work with. It is only confirmed and guaranteed at the time of making a booking, agreeing to our terms and conditions and paying a deposit.