Tours & tickets

Lake Manapouri

Discover the beauty of Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park on a guided day trip from Manapouri. Cruise across Lake Manapouri, ride over Wilmot Pass, and admire the magical waterways of Doubtful Sound. Choose the early departure option for a half-day trip that includes a 2-hour cruise of Doubtful Sound's inner fjords, or choose the standard full-day trip that includes a 3-hour cruise of Doubtful Sound. Make a stop en route to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest. At Deep Cove, board the Patea Explorer, a purpose-built catamaran, for a 3-hour scenic cruise on Doubtful Sound. Admire waterfalls, rainforests, and mountains during the cruise. You might spot the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins, the colony of fur seals at the mouth of the fiord, or even rare Fiordland crested penguins. During the cruise, knowledgeable nature guides will provide informative commentary. Admire the views of rock faces with flowing waterfalls, mist hanging around the tops of the mountains, and gushing rivers and streams. At the end of your tour, return to the departure point in Manapouri.

Discover Doubtful Sound on a day trip from Te Anau and experience the remote wilderness of Fiordland National Park. Start your trip by journeying 30 minutes by coach through rolling countryside from Te Anau to Manapouri.From Manapouri, cruise across the picturesque Lake Manapouri, followed by a coach trip across the breathtaking Wilmot Pass. Enjoy some photo stops along New Zealand's most expensive (and majestic) road and admire the dense surrounding rainforest.  On reaching Deep Cove, board the Patea Explorer to begin the 3 hour cruise of the spectacular and remote Doubtful Sound. When it rains in Fiordland, the landscape is especially dramatic. Look out for waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife. Your knowledgeable nature guides will provide engaging and informative commentary throughout. Bring your own lunch, or purchase drinks and snacks on board in the vessel’s bar and cafe. At the end of your cruise, return over Wilmot Pass by coach and cruise across Lake Manapouri before the short coach journey back to Te Anau.

Visit Doubtful Sound on a full-day trip from Queenstown. Sit back and relax as we take care of your journey to this magnificent remote region of Fiordland National Park. To begin, board a luxury bus and travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, through the rolling countryside to Manapouri. Enjoy informative commentary along the way from your driver. From Manapouri, cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm. Then board a coach to cross the stunning alpine route of the Wilmot Pass, through some of Fiordland National Park’s most dense rainforest. On reaching Deep Cove, climb aboard the Patea Explorer for a 3-hour cruise, exploring the waterways of this serene and isolated fiord. See waterfalls, rainforests, mountains, and wildlife. When it rains in Fiordland, the landscape is especially dramatic.Your knowledgeable nature guides will provide you with engaging and informative commentary throughout. Experience floating on the fiord, with only the rush of waterfalls and birdsong to break the silence. Bring your own lunch, or purchase drinks and snacks on board in the vessel’s cafe. At the end of your cruise, return over Wilmot Pass by coach and cruise across Lake Manapouri before the bus journey back to Queenstown.

Create lifelong memories as your experience the unspoiled beauty of Doubtful Sound aboard an overnight cruise which includes a 3-course dinner and full breakfast, live commentary from a knowledgeable nature guide, shoreline water excursions, and modern amenities for maximum comfort.   Start your unforgettable journey in Manapouri with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri. A coach then takes you across Wilmot Pass, traveling on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arrive at Deep Cove, met the crew, and then board majestic Wanderer vessel. Marvel at the unique design of the Wanderer, which borrows from the aesthetic of a traditional scow, blending old world charm with modern comforts that include spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with a fully licensed bar, and an observation lounge. Cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery and listen as the boat’s knowledgeable nature guide provides commentary ensuring you miss nothing, be it the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals, or rare penguins you might encounter. After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat – or simply relax onboard. For the adventurous, there’s even a chance to go swimming.  Enjoy a delicious three-course dinner in the evening, which is prepared by the onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines at the licensed bar, and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars. Kick off the next day with a hearty cooked breakfast menu and get ready to enjoy the rest of the morning exploring other parts of the fiord. Finally, you’ll return to Deep Cove, then take the trip back to Manapouri.

Begin your adventure in the heart of Te Anau, a short walk from most accommodation. After check-in, rest at a picnic table to enjoy free WiFi and a charging station to make sure all your devices are good to go. Hop on the bus for a short ride through local farmland to the Queen's Reach boat launch on the Waiau River.  Gear up with spray jackets and life vests before an exhilarating ride down the Waiau River. Lined by ancient beech tree forest this river is featured in The Lord of the Rings as the Anduin River. Contrast high-speed spins with pauses along the river in some amazingly tranquil places. Spot some trout in the crystal-clear water and have time to take plenty of photos. Learn about the area's unique environment and fascinating history from your knowledgeable local guide. Emerge onto the breath-taking Lake Manapouri, surrounded by glacier-carved mountains. Experience a sense of wonderment as you sit in awe of their beauty and grandeur. Go ashore to explore the ancient surrounds on a short walk.

Experience the stunning Fiordland National Park from the sky. Soar high above the Iris Burn Valley and Lake Manapouri, also known as the "Lake of Many Islands". Spot the infamous West Arm Power Station on Lake Manapouri before flying up and over the Wilmot Pass into Doubtful Sound. This long and winding fiord is one of Fiordland’s deepest and is home to a number of stunning waterfalls. Your helicopter will detour into magical Campbell’s Kingdom, a beautiful hanging valley encompassing a lake and a waterfall. This is the stuff of fairytales. From here, take a peek at Bradshaw Sound before soaring over the Main Divide of the Southern Alps for a second remote landing at scenic Mount Kidd. Make sure you have the camera or phone well charged for this flight — you’ll want to revisit the scenes and landscapes you visit over and over again.

Begin your adventure in the heart of Te Anau, a short walk from most accommodation. After check-in, rest at a picnic table to enjoy free WiFi and a charging station to make sure all your devices are good to go. Hop on the bus for a short ride through local farmland to the Queen's Reach boat launch on the Waiau River.  Gear up with spray jackets and life vests before heading down the Waiau River. Lined by ancient forest, this river is featured in The Lord of the Rings as the Anduin River. Contrast high-speed spins with pauses along the river in some amazingly tranquil places. Spot some trout in the crystal-clear water and have time to take plenty of photos. Learn about the area's unique environment and fascinating history from your knowledgeable local guide.  Emerge onto the breathtaking Lake Manapouri - named NZ's most beautiful lake - surrounded by glacier-carved mountains. Experience a sense of wonderment as you sit in awe of their beauty and grandeur - and perhaps take a sip... Go ashore to explore the ancient surrounds on a short walk through Fiordland National Park's lush beech forest. Stretch your legs before getting back on board to head up river with more fun, laughs and banter along the way. Back at the boat ramp, skip the bus ride back to town, and instead bike your way along Te Anau's Lake2Lake Cycle Trail. Take your time, stop for a picnic lunch and enjoy a bit of exercise as you make your way 11 kilometres on the edge of the upper section of the river and around the bottom of Lake Te Anau before finishing back where it all started.

Embark on a Legendary Lord of the Rings Journey from Queenstown Operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays this exclusive LOTR tour takes you deep into the Southland region, home to some of the most breathtaking and sought-after filming locations in Middle Earth. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious adventurer, prepare to be transported into the world of hobbits, elves, and epic quests. Your journey heads to the stunning Mavora Lakes in Fiordland National Park, where cinematic magic meets unforgettable moments. Discover which fearless actor famously broke two toes near the edge of Fangorn Forest and relive the dramatic Breaking of the Fellowship as Frodo and Sam take their fateful steps toward Mordor. During the warmer months with longer daylight (1 November – 31 March) this tour also ventures to Manapouri & Te Anau, where you’ll uncover the haunting beauty of the Anduin River and the Dead Marshes. This tour duration is 10 hours. As with all our tours, you’ll gear up for adventure with the largest collection of authentic, licensed LOTR props, including swords, axes, helmets, and even original scripts. Step into the shoes of your favorite characters, and let the spirit of Middle Earth guide you. This is an epic quest you’ll be talking about long after you leave the Shire! ** Combo discounts available for 1.5 & 2 Full Day Tours in Middle Earth, see website or contact us for more info ** Our scenic tour includes visiting: Mavora Lakes Park (Fiordland National Park) LOTR locations such as: Fangorn Forest The Silverload River Nen Hithoel Amon Hen And more! Summer itinerary (1 November – 31 March): Itinerary as above plus: Lake Manapouri Te Anau The Anduin River The Dead Marshes

Soar high above Lake Manapouri and deep into the heart of Doubtful Sound, also known as the "Sound of Silence" due to its remote location. The first landing is in Campbell’s Kingdom, a unique hanging valley suspended amidst mountains. See the picturesque valley that has its own waterfall and lake. From here, fly above several more fiords before arriving at Milford Sound and touring Fiordland’s most famous destination. A Milford Sound scenic flight is the best way to see all the fiord has to offer, as you will be amazed by the sheer granite cliffs and inky blue water. The second landing is at Lake Quill, high above Milford itself and is located at the head of the spectacular Sutherland Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere.