Stewart Island and Milford Sound Explorer

Nights: Three-night stay

Maximum number of guests: Two guests

Inclusions:

• Three nights’ accommodation in our Deluxe Suite;
• An arrival drink;
• Daily cooked breakfast;
• Daily picnic lunch;
• Daily canapés and evening drink;
• Daily set-menu evening meal;
• Daily fresh fruit, baking and complimentary minibar;
• Complimentary laundry service;
• Scenic flight to Stewart Island with several landings, OR Scenic day out in Stewart Island via ferry boat with on-land guided tours; and
• Milford Sound luxury boat cruise with a privately guided tour of the scenic Milford Road.
   

Cost: From $8,700 NZD for two persons (this includes the 'Exploration by Land' Stewart Island option, with additional costs for the 'Exploration by Air' Stewart Island option).

Highlights:

This package has been crafted to ensure guests get the very best from the lower South Island in only two days, exploring the two jewels of New Zealand's untouched landscapes - Milford Sound and Stewart Island. 

Day One 

Following a hearty cooked breakfast, guests will be collected from the Lodge by their private guide to begin their journey along the Milford Road for their full day tour of Milford Sound. 

The Milford Road is a destination in itself, with never-ending photo opportunities. The drive will include a number of scenic stops and short walks to showcase the hidden gems of this renowned location. 

Upon reaching Milford Sound, guests will enjoy a two-hour luxury boat cruise on the stunning Fiordland Jewel. Guests will be guided through the Sound by expert crew who will share their knowledge of the incredible natural wilderness and local wildlife, including seals, dolphins, penguins and Fiordland’s rare black coral. 

While out on the water, guests can savor a wide selection of drinks from the well-stocked bar, alongside a set-menu two-course lunch out on the deck, while taking in the majestic beauty of the fiords. 

Following the cruise, guests can either return to the Lodge along the Milford Road with their private guide or enjoy a one-hour private helicopter flight through the Fiordland National Park, flying over snow-capped mountain peaks, hidden lakes, powerful waterfalls and lush forests. Guests who choose to take to the skies will enjoy two remote mountain landings before the final descent at Cabot Lodge. 

Day Two

Guests can choose to explore Stewart Island by land and boat, by air, or a combination of the two - the choice is up to you! 

Exploration by Land 

Guests will begin their day with an early in-suite breakfast before a two-hour drive through scenic farmland to Bluff at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island. In Bluff guests will depart by ferry across the Foveaux Straight and arrive onto Stewart Island. 

On the Island guests will begin a village and bays tour, exploring the township of Oban, the surrounding beaches, bays and lookout points. This is a fantastic opportunity for guests to learn about the history and way of life on this unique island. 

At the conclusion of the tour, guests will begin a lunch cruise through Paterson Inlet to Ulva Island, a natural sanctuary for rare native birds. 

On Ulva Island, guests will have the opportunity to walk through incredible native forest, keeping an eye out for Kaka, Tui, Weka, Saddleback, Yellowhead and more. 

Returning to the mainland through Paterson Inlet, guests will be on the lookout for penguins, dolphins, whales, shags and seals. It is then time to return to the Lodge after experiencing one of the most unique places in New Zealand. 

Exploration by Air

Guests can enjoy a leisurely start with a full cooked breakfast at the Lodge, before heading onto the front lawn to be collected by a private helicopter and whisked along the Fiordland coastline and across the Foveaux Straight to the incredible Stewart Island. 

Guests will be able to experience the grandeur of the island from above, soaring over Mt Anglem - the highest peak on the island and looking down over the Great Walk of the Rakiura Track. 

Guests can then touch down on one of the remote northern beaches, walking over the sand dunes to the coastal forests. 

Taking off again, guests will enjoy views of Whenua Hou Island, home to over 70 Kākāpō, a rare species of parrot. Whenua Hou is a protected breeding area for this very special bird. 

Setting down for a second remote landing at Mason’s Bay, guests can dip their toes in more golden sands and search for kiwi footprints.  Back in the helicopter guests will soar above the heart of the Rakiura National Park, Big Glory Bay - home to one of the world’s most southern aquaculture farms, as well as the native bird sanctuary of Ulva Island before making the return journey to Cabot Lodge.  

Throughout the day guests will enjoy inflight commentary, learning about the fascinating history and geography of this little piece of New Zealand paradise. 

The Stewart Island aerial experience is approximately five hours. The helicopter will shut down during the two landings to soak up the native birdsong and ensure guests can immerse themselves in these remote locations.

If guests would like to experience Stewart Island from the air with more time on land, there is the option of flying from the Lodge to the Island to enjoy the village and bays tour, followed by the boat trip to Ulva Island, returning to the Lodge by helicopter or by ferry. This removes the early morning start and the drive-time to the Bluff ferry terminal. The flight time from Cabot Lodge to Stewart Island is approximately 45-minutes.