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Kiwi rescued in Doubtful Sound

Real Journeys staff in Doubtful Sound hosted a very different type of passenger recently when they assisted a rescue mission for an injured kiwi (the feathered variety). A possum trapper discovered the injured bird and alerted Real Journeys staff on the Patea Explorer. They quickly arranged for the kiwi to be transported to Manapouri where it was picked up by waiting Department of Conservation staff.

The adult male brown kiwi – affectionately dubbed Hoppy – had an injured toe which was amputated by a vet in Te Anau.
After a course of antibiotics and a month-long recovery period – which included a two-week sojourn with kiwi experts in Palmerston North – Hoppy has now been released back into the bush where he was found. 

Leopard seal sighted in Milford Sound

Passengers and crew on board Real Journeys Milford Sound cruise vessels were treated to the rare sight of a leopard seal. The leopard seal – named for its spotted markings and leopard-like ferocity – usually lives on the fringes of the Antarctic icepack. In winter, young animals move through the southern oceans, occasionally making it as far as New Zealand.

“It’s very unusual to see a leopard seal in the fiord,” says Real Journeys Milford Sound branch manager Fiona Black. “It’s only happened once before during the four years that I have been working here – and that was two weeks ago. This is probably the same one still hanging around.”

Both passengers and crew were rapt to have an opportunity to see a leopard seal up close.

“Everyone was pretty surprised. Leopard seals are much bigger than the New Zealand fur seals we usually see in Milford Sound. This one was probably about three metres long.”

Weighing in at around 300kg, the leopard seal is the largest of the four true seals which live in the Antarctic throughout the year. It has a disproportionately large snake-like head and a ferocious reputation. Though it doesn’t usually attack humans, it is wise to keep a safe distance. Leopard seals are carnivorous, enjoying a diet of krill, fish and sea birds. “The penguins will need to watch out,” Ms Black says.

On the day the seal was sighted, local skippers noted that a large group of penguins had congregated on a beach in another part of the fiord, probably staying out of reach of their Antarctic visitor. The rare Fiordland Crested Penguin is currently at the end of its breeding season. The leopard seal is known as a solitary and fierce predator. It can swim at up to 38kph when chasing penguins – just a little faster than the fastest penguins.

Milford Track Day Walk ownership change

Real Journeys has taken over 100 per cent of the operation of its Milford Track Day Walk excursion (formerly a joint venture) after purchasing the guiding concession from Trips’n’Tramps. This fully guided walk explores the first section of the world-renowned Milford Track. Beginning with a coach transfer from Te Anau and a spectacular one-hour lake cruise, the excursion meanders through forest, grassy flats and wetlands.

Along the way, an experienced guide points out native birds and plants, and explains the route’s fascinating history. Groups are strictly limited to a maximum of 12 per guide. The Milford Track Day Walk departs daily from 31 October to 18 April.

Upgrade of Te Anau Glowworm Caves Excursion

Luminosa Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Real Journeys launched a major redevelopment of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves excursion in the presence of Conservation Minister Chris Carter on Saturday 7 October 2006. The upgrade includes redevelopment both inside and outside the caves and a new high-speed catamaran (Luminosa) which has been purpose built for cruising on Lake Te Anau.

At the launch in Te Anau, Mr Carter also released a new report investigating the economic impact of activities in Fiordland National Park. The report, entitled Regional Economic Impacts of Fiordland National Park, was commissioned by the Department of Conservation and is the latest in a series of studies discussing the value of conservation.  

Real Journeys wins ITOC award

Inbound tour operators have honoured South Island tourism operator Real Journeys with their highest award. The Inbound Tour Operators Council of New Zealand (ITOC) has named Real Journeys “Operator of the Year” in recognition of the company’s product, service and staff as well as its overall management and presentation.

Real Journeys CEO Dave Hawkey said the company was delighted to win the award. “At Real Journeys we pride ourselves on having a close and cooperative relationship with tour operators.” Mr Hawkey said the award was a credit to everyone in the company. “It reflects the hard work put in by all our staff – from those who sell and market, to those who deliver the great experiences, to those who support the operations in a large variety of ways.”

It was pleasing that Real Journeys’ efforts to keep driving up the standards of professionalism in tourism had been recognised, he said.

* ITOC is a trade association which has represented the interests of inbound tourism for over thirty years. Today its members collectively handle most of New Zealand's holiday visitor arrivals.

Real Journeys wins Environment Award

Real Journeys has been honoured among the highest environmental achievers in Southland for its environmentally sustainable tourism practices in Doubtful Sound. The family-owned company won the corporate section of Environment Southland’s annual Environment Awards for its efforts to minimise the environmental impact of its excursions.

Real Journeys CEO Dave Hawkey said the company had invested heavily in a new environmentally friendly purpose-built catamaran and a new sewage treatment plant. Both were designed to minimise the effect of human activity in Doubtful Sound. Real Journeys also contributes over $50,000 annually from its excursions in Doubtful Sound to conservation. 

“I am absolutely delighted that our efforts to create a sustainable tourism industry are being recognised,” Mr Hawkey said.

Real Journeys proudly announces the launch of its exciting new Doubtful Sound vessel  - Patea Explorer

The Patea Explorer is named after the Maori place name for Doubtful Sound. From 10 December 2005 the Patea Explorer will replace the Commander Peak on our daytime Wilderness Cruises in Doubtful Sound.

Patea Explorer Doubtful Sound

The Patea Explorer has two decks, an upper deck with floor to ceiling windows, a main deck with large picture windows, and expansive external observation decks. While certified to carry up to 200 passengers, Patea Explorer loadings will be limited to a maximum of 150, ensuring spacious comfort and fantastic viewing.

This brand new, state-of-the-art vessel also features an excellent sound system and external telescopic cameras linked to internal LCD screens.  This audiovisual system will be used for zooming in on wildlife, waterfalls and other points of interest.  These images, together with navigational route data and special video clips prepared by Natural History New Zealand, will be displayed on TV screens placed around the vessel. A specialist on-board nature guide will provide in-depth commentary.

Delicious picnic lunches can be pre-ordered and picked up on check-in at Manapouri and there will be some café style food available on board.

To ensure consistent quality service, Doubtful Sound passengers will travel from West Arm across Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove on two new purpose built Volvo B7R coaches.  These two coaches, delivered in October, join the new coaches introduced to the fleet last season.

Real Journeys contributes to success of ‘Operation Nest Egg’ - Endangered blue ducklings successfully hatched in captivity

During the last month, nine blue ducklings (whio) have successfully hatched at the Te Anau Wildlife Park as part of  ‘Operation Nest Egg’, a programme that has been made possible by the financial support of Real Journeys.  

The blue duck (or whio) is a unique threatened species of waterfowl endemic to New Zealand.  It is the only member of its genus and has no close relative anywhere in the world.  It has been classified as a nationally endangered species, and with current populations declining the species faces a very real risk of becoming extinct unless the decline can be reversed.

‘Operation Nest Egg’ is part of a national recovery scheme to transfer whio eggs from the wild to incubators where they hatch in captivity. The programme, operating from October 2005 to October 2010, aims to increase the genetic diversity of the Fiordland blue duck population.  The eggs were collected from nests outside the stoat controlled areas of the Bowen River and Monkey Creek near Milford. 

Department of Conservation ranger Andrew Smart says, “Once the eggs are collected, the nesting pairs still have the ability to produce a second clutch which they will be left to raise if they manage to hatch them. We’re having a bumper season for ducklings.  We already have as many ducklings this year as we had in the whole of last year. ”

The new ducklings will be kept in captivity until they are approximately 15 weeks old.  They will then be released into the stoat controlled areas of the Clinton and Arthur Valleys near Milford.   In Fiordland, successful stoat control has significantly increased the survival rate of whio, but the population still needs a boost to reach sufficient numbers.
 
Milford Track walkers can contribute to Operation Nest Egg by booking a Real Journeys Milford Sound Scenic Cruise through the Department of Conservation’s Great Walks booking system.  Real Journeys donates $10 from every ticket sale to the conservation project.

Other conservation initiatives supported by the company and staff volunteers include wildlife monitoring programmes, predator control, a sponsorship package for the study of a rare Stewart Island harlequin gecko and the Fiordland coastal clean up campaign.

New Visitor Centre in Queenstown

The stylish and welcoming Intouch Visitor Centre on the corner of Shotover and Camp Streets in Queenstown is a joint venture between local tourism companies Kawarau Jet and Real Journeys. The friendly Intouch team is hugely knowledgeable when it comes to advice on tourism activities, accommodation and attractions throughout the region.  “Our excursion range focuses on experiences that reflect the cultural, heritage and environmental aspects of this fascinating South Island region”, says Intouch manager Steve Richens.

The Intouch Centre is open from 8.45am to 8.45pm seven days a week. Telephone 03 442 4922 or freephone 0800 745 678.