Unreal experience, real conservation

Date:  22 July 2015

DOC and Real Journeys are looking for conservation minded people to take part in the Dusky Sound Conservation and Restoration Programme on a unique Discovery Expedition .

This is the first time Real Journeys and DOC have undertaken a joint Dusky Sound expedition, and a proportion of the cruise will be donated to DOC’s Dusky Sound conservation projects.

The four day cruise will visit three of the remote islands – Anchor, Indian and Long - where DOC is undertaking conservation work, and participants will be involved in tasks such as stoat trap checking and bird monitoring. In the evening they will hear from DOC staff about conservation projects in Dusky Sound.

Lindsay Wilson, Conservation Services Manager (Fiordland) said, “DOC has a vision to make Dusky Sound one of the most intact ecosystems in the world. This joint venture between Real Journeys and DOC is a great way to show people first-hand some of the conservation work taking place in Dusky Sound to achieve that goal.”

The cruise includes a visit to Pigeon Island to see Richard Henry’s historic site and Pickersgill Harbour, where Captain Cook moored his ship Resolution and set up an astronomer’s observatory to fix the longitude and latitude of the headland, in 1773. All the elements of a Discovery Expedition on the Milford Wanderer will be included (fantastic food, nature guide, heli-flight, nature walks to historic sites) at a discounted rate. 

This very special trip leaves from Manapouri on 3 September, 2015 and includes a helicopter flight from West Arm to Supper Cove, Dusky Sound. After three nights on board the Milford Wanderer the trip returns via Doubtful Sound back to Manapouri on 6 September.

For more information visit Real Journeys or phone +64 0800 65 65 01.

Dusky Sound

Background information

Dusky Sound Conservation and Restoration Programme

Dusky Sound is one of the least modified parts of mainland New Zealand. This programme is a comprehensive and integrated ecological plan for the Dusky Sound area, including all of the terrestrial ecosystems within Dusky Sound, Breaksea Sound, Wet Jacket Arm and Acheron Passage, plus important mainland buffer zones.

DOC’s vision is for Dusky Sound to be recognised internationally as one of the most intact ecosystems on Earth, and an inspiration for biodiversity conservation across the world. 

Dusky Sound Discovery Expeditions

With more than 350 islands, the remote south-west fiords of Breaksea and Dusky Sounds offer many idyllic spots for mooring and trips ashore. The cruise includes:

• one-way helicopter transfer,
• great facilities, friendly crew and outstanding food prepared by the on-board chef
• specialist nature guide providing informative commentary and evening talks
• guided walks through rainforest and along beautiful deserted shorelines
• visit historic sites and abandoned settlements
• tender craft and kayaks for exploration of the coastline
• coach connections from Te Anau and Queenstown at extra cost.

Discovery Expeditions

Real Journeys

Real Journeys is a privately owned tourism business that was founded in 1954 by tourism and conservation pioneers Les and Olive Hutchins. Today the company remains true to its founders and their guiding principles of conservation and hospitality.

Based in some of the most untouched areas of New Zealand, Real Journeys has operations from Stewart Island to Queenstown – including world renowned cruises through Milford and Doubtful Sounds and the heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw.

Real Journeys

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