Vacation Review: New Zealand Luxury Family Tour, Arthur's Pass Train Ride, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Heli-Hiking, Sea Life & Fjords

All our tours were top notch and the guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable.  We loved seeing the penguins hop out of the sea and waddle on shore. There were plenty of playful fur seal pups and lazy sea lions.  Getting a close up view of the albatross from land and sea (saw all 4 species) was a highlight - they soared overhead multiple times - asking to be photographed.  The Arthur Pass train trip with views of azure river water and a short forest walk was beautiful. We used two modes of transport to enjoy the amazing fjords of New Zealand - once by all day boat/bus trip to Doubtful Sound from Te Anau to view from the water level, including a rare sighting of the fjord dolphins, and we had such a calm day that the boat was able to reach the sea and enjoy the seals and coastline views!  Also once by helicopter to Milford Sound - glacial and mountain lake landings were incredible!  Flying down the center of the fjord from the sea was beyond spectacular!  Our pilot was a super people person which only added to our experience.  We took a trek along the Dart River outside of Queenstown to enjoy the unique forests once again.  We even enjoyed a glowworm cave tour out of Te Anau which we just decided to do - there's more to glowworms that I every imagined!  We looked forward to our visit to Taharua area lodge for rest and relaxation at the end of the trip - horseback riding, fishing and heli-hiking!  Guest dinner in the wine cellar to celebrate St Patrick's day.  The chefs were incredible - food was excellent!  It seemed that there wasn't anything that the folks at the sporting lodge wouldn't make happen - you just had to ask.  Amazing place!  Highly recommend.  Driving parts of New Zealand, with a few flights to speed us along, was a great choice for a 2 week vacation and I swear there are more cows and domestic deer than sheep!