Doubtful sound, Lake Manapouri & the Wilmot Pass

We are now back in our accomodation in Gore but this weekend we took an overnight trip to Doubtful Sound, one of the most remote and unspoilt parts of New Zealand. The trip involved a drive to Manapouri, a ferry ride accross Lake Manapouri, a coach trip accross the Wilmot Pass, then an overnight stay in the Fijordland Navigator.

We left Gore in a snow storm and conditions didnt really improve until we got to Doubtful Sound. There was a thick covering of snow over the Wilmott Pass, which made for some beautiful scenes. Doubtful Sound is truly awe inspiring with steep sided rain forests multiple waterfalls and hundreds of islands all uninhabited and much unexplored. Going out in tender we saw Weka, a pied shag and oyster catchers.

After a comfortable night in a sheltered cove we woke to a very rainy misty day which only added to the atmospheric scenery.