Day 9 - Doubtful Sound

So today we are going to Doubtful Sound. The tour consists of three parts: a boat ride on Lake Manapouri, a bus ride over the Wilmot Pass, and then the actual boat tour in Doubtful Sound.

While checking in at Manapouri, it's still drizzling lightly, but during the 50-minute crossing, the sky clears up and the sun comes out.

After docking at West Arm, you can learn about the largest hydroelectric power station in New Zealand that was built here. It has a capacity of 700 megawatts and could provide electricity to the entire South Island, but a large portion of the power generated is used by an aluminium smelter near Bluff.

The road over the Wilmot Pass was built specifically for transporting materials for the power station, including the transformers. It is only accessible from both sides by sea and is considered the road with the highest construction costs in New Zealand.

After about three quarters of an hour, the bus arrives at Deep Cove, where the three-hour tour of Doubtful Sound begins.

Here, you can see the typical features of a fjord landscape with steep cliffs and waterfalls. Unfortunately, no dolphins can be seen, but you have the impressive opportunity to enjoy the silence of the surroundings.

Afterwards, you will return to Manapouri by bus and boat. The tour was nice, but I liked Milford Sound better two years ago.