Doubtful Sound on the Southern Winds

Department of Conservation —  16/05/2013

By Kendall DeLyser, Ranger – Visitor Information, Te Anau.

Last week the team at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre took a trip to Doubtful Sound on the DOC vessel known as Southern Winds. What a wonderful experience!

A view of Doubtful Sound from up high.

The magical Doubtful Sound

A day out on Doubtful Sound is magic, no doubt about it. In sun, the massive landscape is breathtaking and the ocean puts on its best turquoise colour.  In rain, the hills take on a mysterious feel and countless waterfalls braid their way down the rocky cliffs.

Some of the Visitor Information team having a coffee on the boat.

Coffee break

For many of us the trip marked only the first or second journey to Doubtful Sound, despite living in Te Anau for many years.

southern-winds

The DOC vessel Southern Winds

That day, fresh snow blanketed the surrounding peaks, and the bright sun cut through the chill of the winter wind. Dolphins played in the wake of our boat.

A dolphin playing in the wake of the boat in Doubtful Sound.

A dolphin played in the wake of our boat

We identified the special islands and pest-free areas along the way, which helped us better appreciate the monumental projects that our DOC colleagues and conservation partners have undertaken there.

Some of the islands and special places in Doubtful Sound.

There were special islands and pest-free areas along the way

I think we all returned home that day with a better sense of Fiordland, and a different appreciation for the work DOC does to maintain the beauty of the place as we know it.

The Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre team above Doubtful Sound.

The Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre team


Start planning your own Fiordland experience: Visit the DOC website for more iconic Fiordland places to visit.

2 responses to Doubtful Sound on the Southern Winds

  1. 
    Gillian Candler 28/05/2013 at 9:46 am

    Great that you got to visit Doubtful Sound, I hope you can convince some more New Zealanders to visit the Sound. I was surprised to be one of only a few kiwis on a Doubtful Sound boat trip earlier this year. It’s a magic place, I’ll be back.

  2. 
    chrissy wickes 20/05/2013 at 9:47 am

    fantastic stuff!