The Fiordland Trails Trust plans to engage in some light-hearted piracy as a means to secure the funding needed to start extending the popular Lake2Lake trail towards Te Anau Downs.

The charity has secured a Real Journeys “Cruise for a Cause” overnight excursion aboard the Fiordland Navigator in Doubtful Sound, where every cent from ticket sales will be donated directly to the trust.

The cruise takes place on the weekend of October 10 and 11, but all of the tickets must be sold by September 14.

Trust secretary Jocelyn Hodges said a lot of work had gone into planning the trip, which would feature a pirate theme, with participants encouraged to dress the part. Also on offer were things like auctions, treasure, on-board entertainment and optional extras such as the chance to helicopter to West Arm, followed by a mystery tour, or keen cyclists could pay an addition fee to have their bikes brought to the top of the Wilmott Pass for an exhilarating cycle back down to West Arm on the Sunday.

Accommodation is in either private cabins with ensuite bathrooms or quad-share bunk cabins (shared bathrooms). A three-course dinner and full cooked buffet breakfast are included and there is a licensed bar on board. The cruise also includes kayaking and tendercraft activities.

To book tickets, email or call Jocelyn Hodges on [email protected] or 027 224 7437.

Further information about the cruise can be found on the Real Journeys website.