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    Doubtful Sound

    New Zealand

    Doubtful Sound

    Fjord

    The Doubtful Sound, in Māori Patea, is three times longer than Milford Sound and considerably more secluded.

    by Felix Gillen

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    9. Doubtful Sound
    The Doubtful Sound, in Māori Patea, is three times longer than Milford Sound and considerably more secluded. It is only accessible via a boat trip across Lake Manapouri and a bus journey over the Wilmot Pass, so fewer visitors share the fjord.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Wilmot Pass Lookout

    1Wilmot Pass Lookout

    During the bus journey over Wilmot Pass, tours stop at this viewpoint for a first look down at Deep Cove and Doubtful Sound.
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    The Cleve Garth Falls

    2The Cleve Garth Falls

    Waterfall on the Wilmot Pass Road between West Arm and Deep Cove, a short photo stop on the way to the Fjord.
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    Restaurants in Doubtful Sound

    History

    HistoryIn 1770, James Cook sailed past the entrance without entering, as he doubted he could exit again against the prevailing winds. Hence the name Doubtful Harbour. For the Kāi Tahu, Patea was part of the areas they frequented for hunting and fishing. The road over Wilmot Pass was constructed in the 1960s for the Manapouri Power Station and remains unconnected to the main road network to this day.

    Arrival

    Getting thereYou can't get into the fjord without a tour. Operators organize a boat trip across Lake Manapouri, a bus trip over Wilmot Pass, and the fjord cruise as a package from Manapouri, sometimes including pickup in Te Anau or Queenstown. In high season, you should book a few days in advance.

    Accommodations in Doubtful Sound

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    Nearby

    Fiordland National Park

    Fiordland National Park

    Fiordland, at around 12,500 square kilometers, is New Zealand's largest national park and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Te Wāhipounamu. Fourteen fjords, including Milford and Doubtful Sound, cut deep into mountains covered in rainforest. Te Anau is the gateway for almost all tours.
    Manapouri

    Manapouri

    Manapouri is a small town on the eastern shore of Lake Manapouri, approximately 20 kilometers south of Te Anau. Boats for Doubtful Sound tours depart from Pearl Harbour, and it's also a quieter overnight stay option than Te Anau.
    Te Anau

    Te Anau

    Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau, the South Island's largest lake, Te Anau is the main base for Fiordland National Park. From here, tours depart for Milford and Doubtful Sound, and the Kepler Track starts at the town's edge.

    Southland

    Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region, from the peaks of Fiordland to Foveaux Strait. It includes vast farmland, the city of Invercargill, Bluff Harbour, Stewart Island, and the southern Catlins.
    Milford Sound

    Milford Sound

    Milford Sound, called Piopiotahi in Māori, is New Zealand's best-known fjord and the only one in Fiordland that can be reached by road. Steep rock walls, the 1,692-meter-high Mitre Peak and waterfalls such as Stirling Falls shape the roughly 15-kilometer-long inlet.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI