The 66 participants of the Cruise for a Cause fundraiser organised by the Fiordland Trails Trust (FTT) last weekend had a whale of a time. 

The pirate-themed overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound aboard the Fiordland Navigator, donated by Real Journeys, was a huge success. The weather provided the best-of-both-worlds conditions, with beautiful sunshine on Saturday and heavy rain on Sunday turning on hundreds of waterfalls. Interesting and informative commentary by professional nature guides, scrumptious buffet-style food, water activities and sing-along music, kept everyone busy, well fed and entertained.

The event raised more than $30,000 for the FTT from ticket sales, donations and the silent auction.

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

The trust’s recently elected chairman, John Greaney, said he was more than happy with the outcome. 

“It was a big team effort and overall a great result,” he said.

Mr Greaney took over the helm of the FTT from its previous chairman of eight years, Te Anau doctor Stephen Hoskin who stepped down from his position at last month’s annual meeting.

The new chairman extended his thanks to Real Journeys for generously making the cruise available free of charge. He thanked the people supporting the cruise, acknowledged the huge amount of work by the trustees that made it happen, and thanked the businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the silent auction.

Formed in September 2007, The Fiordland Trails Trust was established to enable the provision of a high quality interconnected network of cycling/walking trails in and around Fiordland. To date the trust has completed all but 4km of the 28km Lake2Lake trail between Te Anau and Manapouri, which opened in June 2016 and has been hugely popular among the locals and visitors alike. The focus is now on the new 32km track from Te Anau to Te Anau Downs, with the first section, up to the mouth of the Upukerora River, completed so far.  

Chairman of the Fiordland Trials Trust, John Greaney, addressing the passengers of the Real Journeys boat during the Doubtful Sound Cruise for a Cause trip last weekend. PHOTO: Will Murphy

The money raised last weekend will go towards the construction and maintenance of the second leg from the Upukerora River to Te Anau Downs. FTT is now concentrating on securing more funding for this section of the trail. Mr Greaney was pleased to announce that NZTA has agreed to fund a pedestrian/cyclist bridge next to the existing motor vehicle bridge over the river. 

“By this time next year we are hoping to have completed the track up to the Sinclair Road,” Mr Greaney said.

If you wish to make a donation to help this project along, you can do so by visiting the Fiordland Trails Trust website. 

Participants on the Fiordland Trails Trust's Cruise for a Cause pictured on the boat taking them to the West Arm of Lake Manapouri for a bus trip over Wilmot Pass and a cruise on Doubtful Sound. PHOTO: Alina Suchanski