Join Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising, as we explore New Zealand’s remote southern backyard on this special voyage. Discover the time-forgot rawness of wildlife rich Stewart and Ulva Islands before exploring the primordial majesty of Fiordland where clouds scud ragged peaks of glacier-cleaved mountains only accessible by expedition ship, and the rare opportunity to combine these iconic destinations on one voyage.
Close to Home
Unseen Fiordland and Stewart Island: Exploring New Zealand’s Remote Backyard
6 Days aboard Heritage Adventurer. From AUD $5,350pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy plenty of opportunities for photo-taking, surrounded by beautiful scenery
- Enjoy the impressive bird song as we explore Ulva Island, rich in history and wildlife, which has been predator-free since 1997
- Many mini excursions to be undertaken during the expedition
- Explore the incredible wilderness of fiords in the south-west corner of the South Island
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Queenstown
- Day 2: Port of Bluff/Stewart Island
- Day 3 to 5: Fiordland
- Day 6: Invercargill/Queenstown
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: 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.
Day 2: Port of Bluff/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.
Day 3 to 5: Fiordland
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.
Day 6: Invercargill/Queenstown
Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final breakfast we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a complimentary coach transfer to either Invercargill or Queenstown Airports. In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port operations we ask you not to book any onward travel until after midday from Invercargill and after 3pm from Queenstown. 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.
Next Departure Date: 27 Dec 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Dec 2025 - 01 Jan 2026 | AUD$5350pp | ||
| Main Deck Triple | AUD$5350pp | Contact us | |
| Superior Triple | AUD$5595pp | Contact us | |
| Deck 4 Superior | AUD$5995pp | Contact us | |
| Deck 5 Superior | AUD$6550pp | Contact us | |
| Main Deck Single | AUD$6995pp | Contact us | |
| Worsley Suite | AUD$7095pp | Contact us | |
| Superior Single | AUD$7095pp | Contact us | |
| Heritage Suite | AUD$12000pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Main Deck Triple
Located on deck 3
22m-squared
Two porthole windows
Two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall
Comfortable lounge
Writing desk
Private en-suite bathroom with shower
Ample storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Superior Triple
Located on deck 5
22m-squared
Large panoramic windows
Two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall
Comfortable lounge
Writing desk
Private en-suite bathroom with shower
Ample storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Deck 4 Superior
Located on deck 4
Spacious 22m-squared
Large panoramic windows
King or two single beds
Comfortable lounge
Writing desk
Private en-suite bathroom with shower
Ample storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Deck 5 Superior
Located on deck 5
Spacious 22m-squared
Large panoramic windows
King or two single beds
Comfortable lounge
Writing desk
Private en-suite bathroom with shower
Ample storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Main Deck Single
Located on deck 3
Spacious 22m-squared
Two porthole windows
King bed
Comfortable lounge
Writing desk
Private en-suite bathroom with shower
Ample storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Superior Single
Located on deck 5
Spacious 22m-squared
Large panoramic windows
King bed
Comfortable lounge
Writing desk
Private en-suite bathroom with shower
Ample storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Worsley Suite
Located on deck 6
Spacious 22m-squared
Large panoramic windows
King or two single beds
Comfortable chaise-style lounge suite
Writing desk
Private en-suite with shower
Ample storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Heritage Suite
Located on deck 6
Expansive 44m-squared
Large double panoramic windows
King bed
Large living are with sofa
Coffee table and chairs
Grand marble bathroom with a double basin, bathtub and shower
Large writing desk
Floor to ceiling cabinetry for storage
Flat screen entertainment system
Heritage Adventurer Deckplan
Specifications
- Year built: 1991
- Shipyard: Rauma, Finland
- Classification: Lloyds 1AS, GL E4
- Accommodation: 140 guests
- Length: 124 metres
- Beam: 18 metres
- Draft: 4.97 metres
- Gross tonnage: 8378gt
- Engines: 3940 horsepower (x2)
- Maximum speed: 15 knots
- Cruising speed: 12 knots
- Range: 8600 nautical miles
- Zodiacs: 14
Whats included?
- Pre/post cruise transfers
- One night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (incl. dinner/breakfast)
- All on board ship accommodation with meals, house beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- All expedition shore excursions
- Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
What’s not included?
- All items of a personal nature
- Laundry
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Helicopter excursion
- International/domestic flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!