History
Company founders -
Les and Olive Hutchins
Real Journeys began in 1954 when local couple Les and Olive Hutchins bought a small tourism operation in Fiordland. The business (Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company) was a modest operation consisting of a remote walking track, two small and rather aged boats and a dilapidated hut at Doubtful Sound.

At the time, Les was a 30-year-old furniture store owner from Invercargill and he and his wife had little experience in tourism. However, Les had fallen in love with Fiordland during his childhood visits to the area and he was convinced that others would do the same if they had the opportunity to experience its beauty.

Running a tourism venture in such a remote region was extremely challenging. Back then, the area was virtually unexplored, regular transport services were non-existent, suppliers were hundreds of miles away and “tourists” were scarce.

But, with hard work and perseverance, the couple laid the foundations of a very successful tourism company.

In 1966, Les and Olive Hutchins began expanding their operation, purchasing the Te Anau Glowworm Caves operation and changing the company’s name to Fiordland Travel Ltd. Further growth soon followed, including the purchase of Queenstown’s vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw.

Over the years, Les and Olive Hutchins became closely involved in defending the environmental values of Fiordland National Park. Along with other conservationists they successfully fought the proposed raising of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau.

The company quickly developed a reputation for its high standards of customer service and its keen sense of environmental responsibility. In 1970, it moved to establish cruises on world-famous Milford Sound - a courageous step that required the company to break an existing government monopoly. The company’s new style of scenic cruises gave visitors a more enriching, engaging and comfortable experience than previously available.

In 2002, the company rebranded as Real Journeys. We have since expanded further with the development of Stewart Island Experience and joint investment in other like-minded companies such as Queenstown Rafting, Black Cat Cruises and Trips & Tramps.