Exploring

Some images courtesy of www.darryltorckler.com

Exploring Fiordland - New Zealand

When you step in to Fiordland it's like stepping into a completely new world yet untouched by man. Exploring Fiordland whilst partaking in a scenic cruise on the Tutoko is definitely a great way to get up close and really explore how mother nature created this paradise.

Whilst cruising we can take you through these unspoiled fiords stopping here and there to explore what she has to offer. But an even better way to get it on with Mother Nature is to climb into one of Tutoko's kayaks and paddle around in complete silence listening to how unbelievably noisy this place really is.

From the prehistoric rain forests to the amazing wildlife with many endemic bird species to see. From cormorants to sooty shearwaters, albatross and molly mawks to robins, wood pigeons and bell birds; there is enough on offer to keep the most dedicated entertained.

You may even be lucky enough to see some New Zealand fur seals or Dusky Dolphins. Little Blue penguins regularly swim by and the Fiordland Crested Penguin builds its home here too.

Then there's the historical significance of the area.

Captain Cook rested his crew at Pickersgill Harbour in 1773 after 171 days at sea searching for the great southern continent. They also made repairs to their weather beaten ship in the perfect seclusion of these sheltered waters.

Over the 32 days they spent in Dusky Sound they explored it extensively and named several points of interest. Crayfish Island, at the entrance to Pickersgill, named for obvious reasons and Indian Island where Cook saw the Maori on the beach; though he never made contact with this particular tribe. Anchor Island so named because this was where he first anchored on reaching these sheltered waters. Cook had sailed past on an earlier voyage sighting it at dusk; hence the name Dusky Bay (now Sound).

Cook sailed off at the end of their stay down Cook Passage then through what he named "New Passage" since renamed the "Acheron Passage" by Capt John Lort Stokes who surveyed the fiords in 1851 on his vessel the HMS Acheron with Governor and Lady Bowen aboard.

Richard Henry was perhaps New Zealand's first conservationist.

In 1893 he realised that New Zealand's flightless birds, such as the Kakapo and Kiwi were in danger of becoming extinct. Since man had arrived, first the Maoris with their dogs and rats, then the Europeans with their stoats and cats; these birds had come under increasing pressure as they were easy prey for these introduced predatory creatures. For millions of years they had evolved away from the need to fly and suddenly they couldn't escape.

Richard Henry understood their predicament and set up a sanctuary on Resolution Island ridding this area of any threats. Unfortunately in 1910 he found signs of predators once again and upon resigning himself to a losing battle he headed north to set up a similar sanctuary on Kapiti Island in the north.

The remains of his efforts can be seen on Pigeon Island. A visit will amaze you at the resourcefulness of Richard and his assistant.

New Zealand was formed over millions of years.

Firstly being pushed up from some thirty miles beneath the sea floor to a mile above; then over several ice ages the valleys were carved out of stone to leave these huge water filled valleys with steep mountain sides that disappear into the deep, hundreds of meters below. So they're not even Sounds really; they are true fiords!

All this combined with the shallow entrances has created a unique marine environment that is treasured by all who dive here.

Sealers, whalers, gold miners and coal miners all worked this coast in its early history. Nowadays it is frequented by a few Cray-fishermen and the occasional charter vessel.

Chances are you might see another vessel during your cruise but their size pales into insignificance against the backdrop of this amazingly huge and overwhelming scenic wonderland.