7 Days in Fiordland NZ
3 Days Private Charter + 4 Days Studio Painting
August 2027
From Inspiration to Expression
We begin with 3 days aboard a private charter, journeying deep into the remote fiords, surrounded by towering mountains, ancient rainforests, waterfalls and ever-changing light. An opportunity to slow down, observe, sketch, paint and experience the landscape firsthand.
We then return to Te Anau for 4 days of workshops in the studio, transforming our experiences, observations and memories into paintings that capture not just what we saw, but how we felt.
Some places quietly invite us back to ourselves. Fiordland is one such place.
Hidden within Fiordland National Park and protected as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Area, Doubtful Sound is a landscape of immense scale and profound silence.
Towering granite peaks rise directly from deep waters. Ancient rainforest clings to impossible cliffs. Waterfalls appear after every rainfall, mist drifts through the valleys and each day the light transforms the landscape into something entirely new.
For 3 days we'll call this extraordinary place home aboard a private charter. Followed by 4 days of studio workshops.
This expedition is inspired by my Project featuring Fiordland.
“I've been returning to Fiordland for over a decade, and this expedition is the essence I've always wanted to share with fellow artists.”
Whether you're an experienced painter in search of your next obsession or someone just looking to further your understanding of painting light-filled landscapes, this expedition is for you.
“At the heart of this expedition is the instinct that to truly experience a place like this, one must be in it. Then attempt to see it and paint it, slowly.”
- Rehann
Highlights
Every journey through Doubtful Sound is different. Weather, wildlife and light constantly transform the landscape, making each day a new source of inspiration.
Painting Experience
✦ Watercolour workshops with Rehann Vazid.
✦ Paint directly from the deck of the vessel and during shore excursions, weather permitting.
✦ A relaxed pace with time to sketch, explore, reflect and simply enjoy the wilderness
✦ 4 Studio Days - Live Demonstrations, Paint-alongs and individual feedback.
Fiordland Wildlife
✦ Experience the untouched wilderness of Fiordland's protected marine reserve.
✦ Spot fur seals and dolphins.
✦ Chance to see rare Fiordland birds, including the Fiordland crested penguin and Royal Albatross.
✦ Explore one of the world's richest marine environments, home to black coral, crayfish and diverse sea life.
Life Aboard
✦ Freshly prepared meals by the onboard chef.
✦ Kayaking and tender excursions into secluded bays.
✦ Fishing equipment available throughout the voyage.
✦ Join the crew as they haul the crayfish pots and enjoy a true catch-and-cook Fiordland experience.
What's Included
Workshops with Rehann
2 nights accommodation and all meals aboard the private charter
Land transfers between Te Anau & vessel
Kayaks and tender access, fishing equipment and Onboard chef
4 Days of Studio access
Not Included
Travel insurance
Accommodation in Te Anau during the 4 studio days
Alcohol — please bring your own
Personal art gear ( View Materials List )
Anything not listed in the ‘What’s Included’ section
NO FIXED CHARTER SCHEDULE
3 days, unhurried & hands-on
The pace of the expedition is set by the weather, the fiord, and specific spots that speak to us. 3 days aboard MV Tutoko II. Each day spent in the parts of Fiordland the day-trippers never see.
Day 1 — Into the sounds
Te Anau pickup, board MV Tutoko II. The first painting demo and sunset on the water.
Day 2 — Explore Doubtful
Hidden coves, kayaks and tender trips, golden hour from the deck.
Day 3 — Deep Cove return
Reflections and journalling on the way back to Te Anau.
DOUBTFUL SOUND
3x the length of Milford. New Zealand's deepest fiord.
Captain James Cook named this fiord "Doubtful Harbour" in 1770 — doubtful that he'd be able to sail back out against the prevailing winds. He didn't enter. The name stuck.
It wasn't until the 1950s that a road was built over the Wilmot Pass to access it — and even then, only for hydro-electric construction. The result is a fiord that feels like it belongs to another era, because in many ways it still does.
GETTING HERE
The journey in is part of the experience
To reach Doubtful Sound, you first cross Lake Manapouri by boat — a beautiful 45-minute crossing in its own right. Then a coach takes you over the Wilmot Pass, a sub-alpine road winding through ancient rainforest that sees virtually no through-traffic.
By the time you arrive at Deep Cove and board MV Tutoko II, you're somewhere completely different — both geographically and mentally. That transition is intentional. It's part of why the experience feels so distinct from anything else in Fiordland.
Milford is reachable in a morning. Doubtful requires a little more commitment — which is exactly why it rewards you the way it does.
“Larger. Quieter. Less travelled.”
"Doubtful Sound isn't as well-known as Milford, but it's actually quite a lot larger. More than ten times the size. Much more area to explore, and nowhere near as congested. There are no roads to this area, so a lot less people around. We bump into each other occasionally, but we don't see each other a heck of a lot."
- Richard Abernethy, Owner & Operator
CONSERVATION
Preserving Fiordland through science.
Part of why I bring people to Fiordland is simply to spend enough time here to understand why a place like this matters. Painting asks us to look closely, and I hope that looking closely creates its own kind of care. But bringing people into wild places also comes with a responsibility. This is why I choose to work with trusted local operators who actively contribute to its protection. Fiordland Expeditions, a family-run local operator that has worked in these waters for more than 25 years and supports conservation and scientific research in the region.
The Tawaki Project
Research and protection of the tawaki, or Fiordland crested penguin, one of the world's least-studied penguin species. Fiordland Expeditions has supported the project since 2019, including providing MV Tutoko as a base for researchers working in remote parts of the fiords. Their vessels are also used to support scientists working in places that are otherwise extremely difficult to reach, helping build a better understanding of Fiordland's wildlife and ecosystems. For me, this matters. If as artists and travelers we receive nourishment from this place, then we should also help look after it.
Cabin Options
MV Tutoko II accommodates 12 guests in a layered selection of well-appointed cabins, with real beds.
Premium Cabin
✦ Double berth below a single berth over
✦ Private ensuite — shower, toilet, hand basin
✦ 240v NZ outlets + USB charging overnight
Economy Cabin
✦ Double berth below a single berth over
✦ Shared bathroom facilities on main deck
✦ 240v NZ outlets + USB charging overnight
Single Bed (Share Room)
✦ 4 × King Single berths in bunk configuration
✦ Own ensuite — shower, toilet, hand basin
✦ Top deck — direct access to deck and night sky
August 2027 Workshop
Exact dates will be announced soon
2 nights Premium Cabin + 4 days Studio Workshop
Premium Cabin Single Occupancy - NZ $8,600 (Price is per cabin for 1 person)
Premium Cabin Double - NZ $9,300 (Price is per cabin for 2 people)
Premium Cabin Triple - NZ $9,900 (Price is per cabin for 3 people)
2 nights Economy Cabin + 4 days Studio Workshop
Economy Single Occupancy - NZ $7,400 (Price is per cabin for 1 person)
Economy Double - NZ $8,100 (Price is per cabin for 2 people)
Economy Triple - NZ $8,800 (Price is per cabin for 3 people)
2 nights Bunk Room + 4 days Studio Workshop
Bunk Room Shared - NZ $4,800 (Price is per bed)
