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Fiord in New Zealand
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Doubtful Sound is part of Fiordland National Park in South Island and while it may not be as popular as the nearby Milford Sound, the fiord is popular for its remoteness. The best way to experience and explore the fiord and its solitude is by kayak.
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West of the 1598-metre high Mount George, it falls about 150 m deep into the head end of the fiord. It is named after Helene Brasch, the eldest daughter of Willi Fels, a merchant, collector and philanthropist from Halle in Lower Saxony. The waterfall is accessible via the Helena Falls Track, a 2 km return trail.
The organiser organises multi-day kayak tours in Doubtful Sound and rents out the necessary equipment costing approximately $400 for a three day trip.
The organiser offers an overnight trip by boat on the fiord.
Offers 3 hour and overnight cruises on Doubtful Sound, with Lake Manapouri crossing and Wilmot Pass bus. Connections from Queenstown and Te Anau are available. Runs day and overnight sea kayaking trips.
A 2hr (1.9km return) track to the base of Helena Falls.
3 hr walk in podocarp forest, following the route used before the Wilmot Pass road was built. Return on the road or retrack your steps.
3hr steep walk to the Huntleigh Falls.
1hr (20 minutes if you don't stop) walk forest nature walk near the hostel.
While most of the accommodation is reserved for school groups to learn more about nature, it is the last resort on the fiord with drinking water and a proper toilet and has a couple of beds for paddlers and hikers for an overnight stay.
6 pitch basic site,
6 bed basic hut. One of four huts and bivies on Secretary Island.
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Queenstown · International · ZQN
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