Doubtful Sound is a haven of nature with ancient rainforests, 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.
New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins can be seen on many of the small islets at the entrance to the fiord, while bottlenose dolphins can often be sighted as they swim alongside the boats. Several outstanding waterfalls adorn the rich bush-clad walls.
Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the fiords at 421 meters deep and is long and winding with three distinct arms between Deep Cove and the open sea a distance of over 40 kilometers. The soaring a
The 900-meter sea cliff of Commander Peak marks an imposing entrance to Hall Arm, one of the most beautiful in all of Fiordland.
Captain James Cook sighted the entrance to Doubtful Sound on his first voyage to New Zealand in 1770 and called it Doubtful Harbour.
The trip to Doubtful Sound starts with a boat trip across beautiful Lake Manapouri, followed by a bus journey over the rugged Wilmot Pass. This 22-kilometre road connects West Arm in Lake Manapouri to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound, and was built during the construction of the power project, A trip to the underground power station at West Arm to view the massive turbines inside the mountain cavern makes an interesting side trip. The road across Wilmot Pass follows the Spey Valley with views of rivers, forests, and mountains, Prolific growth of ferns and mosses amidst the podocarp forests are testimony to the high rainfall in the area, and creates an attractive display.
MANAPOURI & DOUBTFUL SOUND
The tiny town of Manapouri is the departure point for trips to Doubtful Sound and walks such as the Manapouri Track. With no road access, Doubtful Sound does not have as many visitors – this ensures that those who do make the journey have a real back-to-nature experience.
You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…
- Cascading waterfalls and serene beauty
- Fur seals and penguins
- Rich in flora and fauna
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness & Overnight Cruises
- Scenic bus trips across Wilmot Pass
- Best Tours to Doubtful Sound depart from Manapouri
Useful Doubtful Sound Resources
[title type=”h1″ class=”tfuse”]Doubtful Sound Day Overnight Cruises & Tours[/title]