For those seeking a deeper connection to nature, conservation and place, this rare and intimate Hollyford Wilderness Experience offers something truly special. Departing on 22 April 2026 and limited to just 16 guests, this exclusive departure is an elevated version of the award-winning Hollyford Wilderness Experience, with all profits contributed directly to the Hollyford Conservation Trust.
Designed for both first-time explorers and returning Hollyford devotees, this journey invites guests to experience the valley at its most enriching. With an additional night included at the much-loved Waitai Lodge at Martins Bay, there is more time to slow down, unwind and immerse yourself in one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most remarkable wilderness landscapes.
Elevated Comfort at the Edge of the Wilderness
Guests will enjoy the newly upgraded Waitai Lodge, now featuring private ensuite rooms and wood-fired hot tubs. These thoughtful enhancements offer a heightened sense of comfort while remaining deeply connected to the raw beauty of Fiordland National Park. Evenings at Waitai are a chance to relax, share stories and soak in the dramatic coastal setting, framed by ancient forest, river and sea.
Throughout the experience, guests are cared for through the renowned Hollyford manaakitanga. Two highly experienced Fiordland guides lead the journey, while dedicated lodge hosts deliver warm hospitality, exceptional cuisine and carefully selected beverages that elevate each day in the wilderness.
Learn from Leaders in Conservation
Adding extraordinary depth to this special departure is the opportunity to travel alongside distinguished conservation leaders and storytellers. Special guest Lou Sanson, former Director-General of the Department of Conservation, will share insights and stories drawn from a lifetime dedicated to protecting New Zealand’s natural heritage.
He will be joined by Ron Anderson, Chair of the Hollyford Conservation Trust, and Lindsay Wilson, the Trust’s Conservation Manager. Together, they offer guests a rare chance to gain firsthand insight into the conservation work shaping the future of the Hollyford Valley, and to better understand the challenges and triumphs of large-scale ecological restoration.
A World Heritage Landscape Like No Other
The lower Hollyford Valley lies within the Fiordland National Park World Heritage Area, approximately 35 kilometres north of Piopiotahi Milford Sound. This extraordinary region is a rich mosaic of ecosystems, ranging from ancient podocarp forest and wetlands to Whakatipu Waitai (Lake McKerrow), the Whakatipu Kā Tuka (Hollyford River), and coastal dunes cloaked in golden pingao, the largest dune system in Fiordland.
It is a place where wilderness still reigns, and where conservation efforts are delivering tangible, inspiring results.
Supporting One of New Zealand’s Leading Conservation Success Stories
The Hollyford Conservation Trust is a registered charitable trust dedicated to restoring a healthy, thriving native ecosystem in the lower Hollyford Valley. Established in 2014 in partnership with the Department of Conservation and key stakeholders, the Trust has created one of New Zealand’s most successful mainland island sanctuaries.
An intensively managed predator-control area now spans more than 14,000 hectares, leading to a remarkable resurgence of native birdlife. Flocks of kākā, tūī and kererū have returned, the valley’s dawn chorus has been revived, and species such as korimako (bellbird), ngiru-ngiru (South Island tomtit) and kakaruai (South Island robin) are once again thriving. With possums removed, the iconic rātā forest is recovering, its lush canopy and vibrant red blooms reclaiming the landscape. Looking ahead, the Trust’s long-term vision includes the return of kiwi or tokoeka to the valley.
Be Part of Something Truly Meaningful
This special departure is more than a wilderness journey. It is an opportunity to directly support vital conservation work while experiencing the Hollyford Valley in an intimate, enriching and deeply memorable way.
To learn more about this exclusive experience, including full itinerary details and departure information, click the button below to download more information.
Spaces are extremely limited. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime journey and become a patron of the Hollyford Conservation Trust.