Authentic and Exclusive Experiences

Fiordland Jet was brought to life by two local Kiwi families and this tour offers guests the opportunity to experience a day immersed in the livelihoods of one of the families – Chris and Sue Adams. You will be escorted by Chris himself for an exclusive look into the life of a quintessential New Zealand farmer with a diverse portfolio of entrepreneurial endeavors. Chris is the epitome of a genuine Kiwi guy, casual, funny, knowledgeable and with a heart of gold. A day with Chris will allow you to see the wonder of Fiordland with a local who will be proud to share with you his knowledge.

Pick up from Fiordland Lodge your day will begin or finish with a 2-hour private Pure Wilderness jet boat tour - Fiordland Jet’s signature tour. This tour offers guest jaw-dropping scenery among Fiordland National Park and heaps of jet boating excitement – high-speeds and spins! As the tour is private guests can also choose a more laid-back scenic tour as well. Jet boating has always been a passion and popular summer pastime of the family - and is an integral part of the Adams’ unique business diversity.

You will then travel by private vehicle across the Takitimu Mountain range to Chris and Sue’s Brightview Farm – which provides incredible views of the surrounding southland farmland. Your hosts will greet you at the main house and enjoy an iconic Kiwi feed of a crayfish entrée followed by fresh lamb racks and salad for lunch (dietary restrictions and other food options available on request).

Brightview Farm is a 1200-hectare sheep, beef and high-producing dairy farm that prides itself on healthy, quality livestock and pastures (Environment Southland approved). The property includes 3 milking sheds, a free-range egg operation, working coal mine and plenty of pet animals. A complete farm tour will include the options to:

• Visit a milking shed (guests can be as ‘hands on’ as desired)
• Watch a sheep shearing and dog herding display
• View the coal mine and Brightview’s role in restoring the land
• Ride in modern tractors and other equipment
• Collect free range eggs and feed hens
• Feed the pet sheep, pig, alpacas and deer–straight from your hand
• Plant a tree to offset carbon footprint

An informal but very informative day of fun and excitement and most importantly, expect Chris’s unfiltered commentary, great banter and lots of laughs.

Price: $9625 based on up to 6 people

Allow a full day and includes everything all transfers, nature guide (Chris) for the day, lunch and refreshments and farm gear for the farm tour.

Offering the only private cruise available on Milford Sound we combine the expertise of a private guide and vehicle as you head up the most scenic alpine drive in the world to the majestic Milford Sound. The best thing about Milford Sound is that the weather doesn’t matter! On a sunny day, it is beautiful and on a wet day it is spectacular! Fiordland has some of the world’s highest waterfalls and they are a popular feature of Milford Sound. In all weather, you will see water cascading down massive cliffs into the sea.

Milford Sound is in the Fiordland National Park, which is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site which covers 26,000km² and encompassing four national parks. It is widely considered to be one of the World’s top travel destinations.

Pick up times vary to whether you prefer a morning or an afternoon cruise and will be communicated to you prior and includes nature walks either on the way or on the way back from Milford Sound. Rates include a private vehicle and nature guide, lunch and a private 2 hour cruise on Milford Sound. All times subject to availability at the time of the reservation.

Price:
May and September, October - $3,950 based on 6 people. Available Private charter times available: 8.45am, 10.45am, 2.45pm
November – April - $4,950 based on 6 people. Private charter times available: 8.45am, 9.45am, 3.45pm and 4.45pm

The Fiordland Crested Penguin is endemic to the rainforests of Fiordland and is the second rarest breed of penguin in the world. Known for their gleaming yellow crests that stick out like bushy eyebrows and their bright orange beaks, these little birds are as commonly found amongst the ferns as they are in the sea. Join us on your private adventure as you travel offbeat New Zealand into Martins Bay a deserted piece of paradise, located just north of Milford Sound in Fiordland.

The Fiordland Crested Penguins nest in this area in loose colonies in the dense coastal shrub, hollows, under fallen trees, roots, boulders and in rock crevices. You will witness the penguins as they leave and return from their nests and also have the opportunity to visit the resident local New Zealand fur seal colony located at Long Reef.

Your day starts with a private vehicle transfer with your local guide to Milford Sound and then a 20-minute helicopter flight over snow-capped mountains to Martins Bay. The ultimate wilderness playground Martins Bay and the nearby Hollyford Track is only accessible by air, water or foot. By foot the only land route to Martins Bay in Fiordland is the Hollyford Track a walk-through lush forest, beside a mighty river, alongside beautiful lakes and finishing at Martins Bay.

Price: $5,750 based on 2 people and includes all transfers, nature guide for the day and picnic lunch.

Enjoy a unique combination of Mountain Biking on the Fiordland Trail, Jet Boat Fishing on the Famous Waiau River and Hiking on One New Zealand’s Great Walks the Kepler Track...

Departing Fiordland Lodge at 8am with your private guide and vehicle you start with a bike onto the Fiordland Trail which begins at Lake Te Anau and follows the lake to the control gates at the start of the Waiau River. This first section of the track offers magnificent vistas over Lake Te Anau to the Fiordland Mountains. From here this is the entry point into the Fiordland National Park and you will Bike along the upper Waiau River from the Control Gates to Queens Reach and from here you continue from Queens Reach to the Rainbow Reach car park the pickup point for your Fish Jet experience.

- Distance biking: 16.8 kilometres and overall the trail offers a natural, highly scenic and safe recreational experience. The trail is built to grade 2 i.e. "easy" by NZ Cycle Trail standards.

- Bikes provided for all abilities, sizes and makes including motorised ebikes.

From Rainbows Reach we combine fishing and jet boating in the Fiordland wilderness for the ultimate kiwi adventure. This is incredible fun for friends, couples and families, no fishing experience required and this isn’t just about the trout fishing; the scenery on offer will make your jaw drop as you spend time drift fishing and jet boating the upper Waiau River. Drift down the river fishing for plentiful brown & rainbow trout before being dropped off at Motorau hut on the Kepler Track, beside Lake Manapouri. The Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s 9 'Great Walks'.

A picnic lunch is had at Motorau Hut with its sandy beach overlooking Lake Manapouri before starting the hike to Rainbow Reach. Your nature guide will point out the wetlands and lake landscapes that are all enjoyed on this hike and the conclusion of the walk is by crossing the big swing bridge spanning the mighty Waiau River. From the middle of the bridge enjoy the vistas including scenery used in the Lord of the Rings film.

- The track is maintained to a very high standard, with care to ensure a safe hiking experience. Walking distance: 6 kilometers and about 2 hours walking.

From Rainbow reach, 2 options: enjoy the scenic cycle back along the Fiordland trail to Te Anau and transfer back to Fiordland Lodge. Alternately a transfer directly back from Rainbow Reach to Fiordland Lodge.

Price: $1,985 based on 2 people (extra $150 per person after 2 people) maximum 6 people.

Price: Includes all transfers, nature guide for the day, picnic lunches.

Lake Marion Guided Day Walk

Enjoy a guided day walk from Fiordland Lodge to Key Summit on the renowned Routeburn Track, a New Zealand Great Walk. Ascending through lush forest and into a unique alpine herb field offering panoramic views of mountains, alpine lakes and bush clad valleys far below. This walk offers an incredible day out in the heart of New Zealand South Island main mountain divide.

This spectacular walk ascends through lush, temperate rainforest and onto a unique alpine herb field. On the summit, hikers experience panoramic views of mountains, alpine lakes, and deep, glacial carved bush clad valleys. The Routeburn Track is an inspiring place to be and enjoy natural beauty.

Walking in a small group your guide provides an excellent opportunity to learn about this stunning natural environment. If time allows, a visit is made to the tramping hut at Lake Howden before retracing our steps to the Divide.

This 8km return Routeburn Track walk begins at the Divide Shelter with a steady climb on a well maintained track. Gaining an elevation of 400 metres, the ascent takes approximately 2 hours at a leisurely pace. On a fine day lunch is on the summit, and in unfavourable conditions in the shelter of a nearby tramping hut. After lunch we descend back to the Divide Shelter.

Price: $210 per person, Lunch additional $35 per person

Routeburn Track, Key Summit Guided Walk

The Lake Marian guided walk allows you to enjoy a lesser-known Fiordland track with an experienced, friendly local guide. Enjoy a day hike amongst native forest and raw alpine scenery in the heart of New Zealand's South Island mountain divide. Your effort is well-rewarded, with a panoramic view at the top of this beautiful glacial carved, hanging valley.

Begin your journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Milford Road to the Lower Hollyford, the starting point for the guided walk to Lake Marian. En-route there are opportunities for short nature walks and photographic stops. The hike starts with a gentle walk alongside a spectacular series of waterfalls, then steepens and becomes quite rocky underfoot as we ascend through a lush forest of fuchsia, ribbon wood and beech trees.

With a maximum of 6 walkers your friendly guide will share information and stories about the natural and human heritage of Fiordland. Stops for photographs, bird-watching and enjoying the scenery are regularly made along the way ensuring a pleasurable, easy-going climb. Hot drinks and energy snacks are carried by the guide, and a wilderness tea break is made available as required.

After walking 2-3 hours, Lake Marian, our stunning alpine destination, is reached. This beautiful lake is surrounded by a hanging valley bordered by steep, snow clad mountains. As weather allows, we enjoy a picnic lunch and relax in this magnificent alpine amphitheatre.

When the group is ready, we make a leisurely decent back down the track to the Hollyford Road and then travel back to Te Anau by coach.

Rate: $195 per person, Lunch additional $25 per person

Milford Track Back End Guided Walk

Soak up the grandeur of the world-famous Milford Track with a guided walk to Giant's Gate Falls. This New Zealand Great Walk is suitable for all abilities and there is much to see. From the ancient canopy trees towering above to the emerald-green ferns below and the birdsong that echoes through the trees, it is a unique World Heritage Area best explored by foot.

You will be picked up from Fiordland Lodge by your guide and drive through to Milford Sound. Then departing from Milford Sound, you begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly Point. The walk meanders alongside the cascading Arthur River through lush rainforest to Giant Gate. This spectacular waterfall is best viewed from the large swing bridge spanning the river.

Walking at an easy going pace in a small group, your knowledgeable nature guide will point out the native plants and birds inhabiting this lush environment, and share the track’s stories, bringing the history of the area to life.

Please note that you will depart Fiordland Lodge at approximately 6.45am for Milford Sound with your scheduled transport and guide, join the water taxi to Sandfly Point and the Milford Track, then walk to Giant Gate Waterfall, an iconic and highly photographed waterfall. The track is flat and well maintained through spectacular forest, river and lake scenery.

Once you are off the track we round your off with day a Real Journeys Milford Scenic Cruise before returning on the Real Journeys bus back to Te Anau and Fiordland Lodge.

Rate: $307 per person, Lunch Additional at $35 per person.

Gertrude Saddle Guided Adventure Walk

Gertrude Saddle offers an adventurous guided day hike from Fiordland Lodge. Explore the Fiordland mountains and its unrivalled alpine terrain to gain spectacular views of Milford Sound from the summit. In a small group, your local, knowledgeable guide will lead you safely through the area and provide information on the incredible array of alpine plants and birds along the way.

From the lodge you take a very scenic drive along the Milford Road for about two hours to the upper Hollyford Valley and the Alpine Homer Hut. This drive takes us to the heart of the Darren mountains and up into the sub alpine herb fields.

The hike to the Gertrude saddle is challenging at times, but the rewards are most definitely worth it. Rough and rocky underfoot, the track follows the valley floor up to the imposing Barrier face, then commences a steep and steady climb to the chilled waters of the mystical Black Lake. Walking across giant granite slabs and supported by fixed ropes near the top, finally the saddle is reached. From the safety of the pass, enjoy incredible views into the surrounding valleys and down onto Milford Sound.

On a sunny day the Saddle is a wild, awe-inspiring place for lunch, though with no shelter available it is imperative appropriate warm clothing is taken, as well as a good lunch and snacks. Hot drinks and energy snacks will be carried by you guide, and a wilderness tea break is made available during the walk and as required. It takes about three hours to gain the saddle and nearly the same to return to the van as we retrace our steps.

This is a more demanding walk than Lake Marian, and only suitable in good weather. Lake Marian is the back-up walk if your guide deems the weather is not suitable for this walk. You can spend a whole day exploring the lower valley and if this is preferred then we suggest you book a private guide. The lower valley has incredible alpine flowers and scenery; it is not necessary to reach the saddle, or anywhere near it to have an amazing day.

Rate: $910 Private Guide (1 -3 people includes lunch) 

What to Bring: The Fiordland weather is unpredictable and can change very quickly. Firstly, if you are planning on staying at Fiordland Lodge and targeting day walks we suggest an appropriate day pack. We recommend bringing comforatable walking boots/shoes, waterproof jacket, warm clothing including hat and gloves, sun screen and insect repellent, sun hat, camera and any personal medication if required. Walking poles are optional.

Your Exclusive Milford Track Guided Experience

Venture through a natural playground of glacier-carved fiords and emerald river valleys with an exclusively guided day walk on the Milford Track. There’s something very special about experiencing the Milford Track with your own private guide. Take your time, enjoy unforgettable vistas all to yourself and soak up personalized commentary on the track’s history, flora and fauna.

The 'Finest Walk In The World'

New Zealand’s most famous walking trail, the Milford Track has origins as an overland greenstone route between Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound. In 1888, colourful local Quintin Mackinnon navigated the rainforests and mountain passes to create the route the track follows today. Word got out, and Mackinnon became the track’s first guide, famous for his good nature and scone-baking skills. In 1908, the London Spectator called the Milford Track 'the Finest Walk in the World' - and the rest is history.

Personal Guide, Bespoke Service

While the full track takes around four days to complete, an exclusively guided day walk is the ultimate answer for those who would prefer a shorter Milford Track experience. Enjoy the knowledge and leadership of our experienced and personable nature guides as you explore this World Heritage location. Treat yourself and your travelling companions to a highly personal Milford Track journey – no other company offers exclusively guided day walks on the track.

Leaving from Fiordland Lodge, journey to Glade Wharf, the start of the track. Here we cross privately with the Fiordland Water Taxi a brand new boat, custom-built for passenger comfort. From here your walk begins as you cross a suspension bridge and venture into the beautiful Fiordland landscapes that form the Milford Track. The great thing about this exclusively guided experience is that you call the shots on how far you would like to go – the walk can be up to 14 kilometers long. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the location of your choice before heading back to the boat for the return journey. The section of the Milford Track that we walk is relatively easy going and is suitable for most ages and abilities.

Itinerary & Rates

This exclusive package includes transport to and from Fiordland Lodge (private transfer and water taxi), expert nature guide, picnic lunch and refreshments.

Pricing: 1-3 people $2,050
For extra people over 3 pax $250 (Maximum of 12 people)

Milford Sound Boat cruise

On reaching Milford Sound your guide/driver will board you onto your Boat Cruise for a leisurely 2.5 hour cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities, with plenty of time available to enjoy the waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife (seals, penguins and dolphins) around the fiord.

Walks

A walk in Fiordland is a must, even if it is only a few hundred meters. On completion of the cruise we begin our overland tour. Depending on your motivations you can choose a series of short walks with the nature guide or 2.5 hours walking on the Routeburn Track to Key Summit.

Your choice...enjoy a series of short, guided walks, with your local guide. Our National Park concession allows us to access the Gertrude Valley, Lake Gunn, and Hollyford Valley, so you can get off the beaten track and explore a range of different environments in this World Heritage Area. Plentiful opportunities are made for you to experience the natural fauna and flora with all your senses and capture it on camera. Catering for all ages and abilities, stops are made to suit people's interests and weather on the day.

For the more active and for hiking at its best. Ascend up the Routeburn Track enroute to Key Summit through lush beech rainforest and into the alpine environment with panoramic views of the surrounding Fiordland Mountains, alpine lakes and deep bush clad valleys. This option is unguided unless the whole group on the day takes this option.

More Information:

Departs daily from Fiordland Lodge and returns around 5.00pm. Group size max 12 people.
2 hour 30 minute Milford Sound Nature Boat Cruise then select guided short walks with Nature Guide or, 2 ½ hour walk on Routebun Great Walk (unguided).

Rate $179 per person.

Travel with us to this untouched world deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park. The beauty and vastness of Doubtful Sound will take your breath away as you experience its deep wilderness.

When you discover Doubtful Sound you will be struck by its silence – a silence broken only by birdsong or the rushing of a distant waterfall. Its beauty and vastness will take your breath away.

Your day begins in Manapouri (which is a 25 minute self-drive from Fiordland Lodge) with a cruise across the picturesque Lake Manapouri followed by a trip across New Zealand’s most expensive road over Wilmot Pass, pausing along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glistening far below.

In Doubtful Sound, you will board a spacious, purpose built catamaran Patea Explorer for a three-hour cruise through this pristine fiord. During the cruise our knowledgeable and friendly nature guides will share with you their passion for the region through their commentary. They will answer questions, point out landmarks and provide you with information about the varied wildlife you may encounter like dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.

A visit to one of New Zealand’s major sources of sustainable energy – the Manapouri Underground Power Station* is also included.

Trip Duration: 7 hours 15 mins - 8 hours

Rate: $309 per person

4 Kms of jet boating into the heart of the Fiordland National Park and back; travel across Lake Hauroko and down to the rugged southern coast via the wild Wairaurahiri River. An All Day Adventure which includes, personal guided nature walks and a delicious kiwi style BBQ.

For your comfort on the colder days, fitted heated hand rails for extra comfort and provided are woolie hats and oversized water proof oil skin coats for use while aboard.

The River: The Wairaurahiri River, 27 km of rugged rock strewn grade three rapids that drop 600ft to sea level. These are the conditions which make the Wairaurahiri Jet such an exciting ride! Two Lexus V8 engines will carry you through ancient beech forest on a wild, weaving, 27km ride down the Wairaurahiri River from Lake Hauroko to the sea through the Fiordland National Park.

Price: $275 per person self-drive to Lake Hauroko

Price: $425 transport to and from Lake Hauroko. Departures from Fiordland Lodge only on Monday and Thursday's.

92 kms Jet Boating - Duration: 6 hours - Leaves Lake Hauroko boat ramp at 10am (Lake Hauroko is a 1.15-hour drive from Fiordland Lodge)

Set off across New Zealand's deepest lake then drop 600 feet via the rock strewn, white water rapids of the grade three wild Wairaurahiri River to the rugged south coast for a yummy Kiwi Style BBQ lunch at the Waitutu Lodge. Delicious lunch and nature walks included.

Experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms. Your trip to the Te Anau Glow-worm Caves begins at the Real Journeys visitors centre in Te Anau with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau on a purpose-built scenic cruise vessel.

At the entry to the caves at Cavern House, view the informative displays and learn about this geological wonder before you join your guide underground. On the tour of the caves, our friendly guides will point out the highlights and share their knowledge of the caves and its history.

This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. By geological standards the caves are very young (12,000 years) and are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. The result is a twisting network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall.

Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.

A great family excursion, duration 2 hours and fifteen minutes. Please note that photography and filming is not allowed inside the caves.

Price: From $93 per person

Southern Fiordland is a magical part of the world where the sea, rivers and lakes combine with endless coastline, mountains and forests to showcase New Zealand’s wilderness at its best.

Information - Treat yourself to a life-long memory, a connection with the past, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Let us take you across pristine waters of Lake Te Anau, surrounded by the untouched beauty the Fiordland National Park with primeval forest, hidden coves, picturesque islands and breath-taking mountain vistas. Step back in time to an era when elegance was common, adventure was the basis of the daily news and new frontiers captured the heart of nations. We invite you to join us aboard Faith in Fiordland, a 66-foot (20-meter) motor sailer built in Scotland from teak, oak and mahogany, now moored at the historic wharf at Lake Te Anau, Fiordland.

This is a 3 hour experience including a guided walk to the Hidden Lakes, delicious finger foods, tea and refreshments. Ideal for that special occasion with added privacy and personalised commentary from a local crew. Relaxed, friendly and away from the crowds enjoy time with the engine turned off to enjoy the tranquillity of Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park.

Your private cruise onto Lake Te Anau. Exclusive 3 hour cruise $1650 from 2-10 people.

Suitable for both professional and amateur photographers looking to enhance and refresh their camera eye. Aimed at nature lovers Fiordland is a photographer's dream-come-true.

Our Focus on Photography experience is accompanied by private guide and Te Anau local Douglas Thorne who specializes in photographing New Zealand scenery and wildlife and he was recently named the 2017 Otago Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Douglas will do his best to maximize the chances of obtaining the best pictures over the course of your day and your day is targeted around your special interests and Douglas will look for subjects of special interest to you such as birds, wildlife, landscapes, scenery, plants or the night sky.

Rare, Unique Wildlife – Fiordland is known for its fascinating and unique wildlife. Many of New Zealand's rarest native bird species make their home in Fiordland whether it is the cheeky Kea, an alpine parrot with bright red feathers on the underside of its wings or the rare blue duck or the Fiordland crested penguins. Nowhere is the wild beauty of New Zealand displayed with more effect than in the stunning landscapes of Fiordland. Here, untamed waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into virgin forested valleys, lonely fiords greet the sun with enchanted birdsong, and stretches of crystal clear lakes shimmer in the pure air surrounded by a mantle of vivid green rainforest and towering granite peaks. The scenery is wild, dramatic and breathtaking and a paradise for the keen photographer.

Photography in this area can be extremely rewarding and you will go home with some stunning pictures in your luggage. The opportunity to utilize a helicopter is an added extra and option to get into the likes of Doubtful Sound which is a photographers haven of nature with ancient rainforest, abundant wildlife and superb physical grandeur. Practically untouched by man, the fiord has a deep stillness, a sense of solitude and serenity - it is quite simply and unquestionably breathtaking through the lens.

Equipment recommended:

• Camera
• Telephoto lenses (with 300mm lenses it is possible to get excellent images)
• Wide-angle lenses (there will be opportunities to shoot stunning Fiordland landscapes)
• Flash
• Tripod and/or monopod
• Protection against humidity (rain is a reality in Fiordland. It is good to protect your equipment. If you don’t have sealed bags, regular plastic bags will help protect your apparatus)
• Batteries, chargers and additional memory cards
• Notebook (it's not essential, but it’s great for backup and visualization)
• Compact camera (for making off and common shots)

Price: $975 based on 2 people.

Price Includes: Includes private vehicle, private guide and picnic lunch.