Wilderness Watercolour Series
Fiordland Art Expedition - Doubtful Sound
28 - 31 Oct, 2026 | $3,900 $3,200 NZD
4 days of painting with Rehann in the UNESCO World Heritage waters of Doubtful Sound aboard a private charter, MV Tutoko II purpose-built for Fiordland - helipad, kayaks and a dedicated chef.
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 4 days and 3 nights, we'll call this extraordinary place home aboard a private charter.
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
✦ Daily watercolour workshops with artist and educator Rehann Vazid.
✦ Paint directly from the deck of the vessel and during shore excursions
✦ Personal guidance, demonstrations and individual feedback throughout the expedition
✦ A relaxed pace with time to paint, explore, reflect and simply enjoy the wilderness
Fiordland Wildlife
✦ Experience the untouched wilderness of Fiordland's protected marine reserves.
✦ 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.
✦ Opportunities to catch fish for dinner, depending on conditions and the day's catch.
What's Included
Daily Watercolour workshops with Rehann
All meals aboard MV Tutoko II
Land transfers between Te Anau & vessel
Kayaks and tender access
Fishing equipment
Onboard chef
Full Fiordland Expeditions crew
Not Included
Travel insurance
Alcohol — please bring your own
Personal art gear ( View Materials List )
Optional Extras
Helicopter Transfers to and from Te Anau
NO FIXED SCHEDULE
4 days, unhurried & hands-on
The pace of the expedition is set by the weather, the fiord, and specific spots that speak to us. 3 nights 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 and sunset on the water.
Day 2 — Explore Doubtful
Hidden coves, kayaks and tender trips, golden hour from the deck. Evening workshop and 1-1 feedback aboard.
Day 3 — Doubtful to Nancy
Through the inner arms — Thompson Sound to get to Nancy. Catch and cook dinner, anchor in silence.
Day 4 — Deep Cove return
Final morning, reflections and farewell 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 a wilderness 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 something from this place, then some part of our being here should also help look after it.
Cabin Options
MV Tutoko II accommodates 12 guests in a layered selection of well-appointed cabins, with a real bed and the same view of the fiord at sunrise.
For our expedition, we are capping at 8 artists to make sure every easel gets the deck space and every artist gets the view.
Premium Cabin - SOLD OUT
✦ Double berth below a single berth over
✦ Private ensuite — shower, toilet, hand basin
✦ 240v NZ outlets + USB charging overnight
Economy Cabin - 1 Available
✦ Double berth below a single berth over
✦ Shared bathroom facilities on main deck
✦ 240v NZ outlets + USB charging overnight
Bunk Room - 2 Available
✦ 4 × King Single berths in bunk configuration
✦ Own ensuite — shower, toilet, hand basin
✦ Top deck — direct access to deck and night sky
Book Your Spot!
28 - 31 October, 2026
Bunk Room - $3,900 $3200 NZD per person
Economy Cabin - $7,200 $6500 NZD per cabin
