Fiordland National Park is a treasure in New Zealand. This immense national park (the largest in the country) is internationally recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
And it is not for nothing: the nature of Fiordland is incredible, steep mountains, spectacular fjords like Milford Sound, large jungles, blue lakes, wild flora and fauna… a paradise for nature lovers and one more challenge in the adventure that is traveling to New Zealand.
Fiordland National Park is located in the southeastern corner of New Zealand’s South Island. A national park with an area of 12,607 km2, it is the largest in the country.
The park was established in 1952. It was also recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1990, together with Mt Cook National Park and Mt Aspiring National Park, under the name Te Wahipounamu.
Speaking a little about the park, it has a unique nature in New Zealand. In total, it includes 14 fjords, the most famous of which is Milford Sound, a number of mountains over 2000 metres high, a few lakes such as Te Anau, and several valleys.
Similarly, Fiordland’s fauna is rich in native New Zealand species and in fact serves as a refuge for several endangered species such as brown kiwi birds, Kaka and blue ducks.
The area is also home to several species of penguins, such as the little blue penguin, bottlenose dolphins and, finally, numerous colonies of seals.
Finally, the largest town in Fiordland National Park is Te Anau with a population of 2,970. This town is known as the gateway to Fiordland. Another town worth considering is Manapouri.
When to visit Fiordland National Park, curiously, does not follow the same dynamic as the rest of New Zealand, where summer is the ideal season to visit the place. No, Fiordland, as you will soon discover, follows its own rules. Therefore, in this section I will show you some general information so that you can decide for yourself when to go.
The winter months (June, July and August) are the months with the most stable weather. Temperatures will be low, but the skies will be clear, and weather allows you to enjoy the views and outdoor activities, with the snow-capped mountains and the sun giving everything a magical touch. This is the most visited season.
Autumn (March, April and May) follows a similar dynamic to winter but with higher temperatures, around 15 degrees. In turn, this season is usually quite humid and with rainfall half of the time. March is usually the best month of autumn.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a warmer climate, summer (December, January and February) offers the highest temperatures with an average of 18 degrees (we are relatively close to the South Pole). The problem with summer is that it rains quite a lot and can even snow.
Spring (September, October and November) is the least visited season due to its more unstable, humid and windy weather. Snow and rain will be a constant, although this can have the benefit of not having to book activities.
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Internet is mandatory for getting around and using metservice, the country’s weather service. Keeping up to date with the weather is necessary if you don’t want to have any problems. It can also be very useful when translating if you don’t understand English very well.
To do this, we will tell you how to get a New Zealand SIM card with the internet and take advantage of its affordable prices. And now we also have information about the New Zealand eSIM with unlimited data.
The truth is that getting to Fiordland National Park is pretty difficult unless you go by car. In any case, your goal will usually be Te Anau, since this is, if you remember correctly, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.
It is important to mention that the closest airports to Fiordland are Queenstown and Invercargill. Although you can always fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound by private plane, but I can tell you in advance that it won’t be cheap ;).
Going by bus will not be easy either unless you leave from Queenstown, as this city is the only one with direct buses to Te Anau, taking 2 hours and 25 minutes. Curiously, even from Invercargill, the capital of Southland and by extension of Fiordland, you will have to go to Queenstown first.
With all this in mind, it is clear that the best way to access the attractions of Fiordland National Park is by car. To give you some examples, from Queenstown and Invercargill the journey to Te Anau takes only 2 hours. If you leave from Christchurch, the direct journey will be 7 and a half hours, and, from Dunedin, about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
The city of Queenstown offers an incredible variety of things to see and do. Although there are several art galleries to visit and some pretty cool parks in the city, the best things to do are undoubtedly in its hills, lakes and surrounding towns.
As I have been telling you, Milford Sound is the jewel of Fiordland National Park and my favourite place in all of New Zealand. Starting with practical information, this fjord (yes, it is a fjord, not a sinus, even though its name indicates otherwise) is located 1 hour and 40 minutes by car from Te Anau with a single access road, the NZ State Highway 94, and it is the only fjord accessible by car.
Before going to Milford Sound, you should keep in mind that it is the most uninhabited area in all of New Zealand and also one of the wettest, with half of the days of the year raining.
And with all this, why go? Because this place is extraordinary. Here the fjord cuts through the rugged jungle-covered mountains, with a deep, clear sea, corals unique in the world, numerous seals, penguins and dolphins. Its crystal-clear waters are fed by the Tasman Sea but also by the gigantic waterfalls that fall from the mountains with a resounding roar into the water.
Likewise, the cliffs next to the pointed mountains create whimsical shapes, such as Elephant Peak or Lion Mountain. It’s an incredible place that you can explore by kayak, helicopter, scenic flights, cruises… Perhaps the greatest variety of different activities concentrated in one place.
This fjord in Fiordland will make you fall in love with it as much as it did me, I have no doubt about it. If you go, remember to fill up your fuel tank well because the only gas station in the area charges an exorbitant fixed price no matter what you put in (I say this from personal experience).
Doubtful Sound is an amazing fjord in Fiordland National Park and, like the previous one, it is a fjord, not an inlet. That said, Doubtful Sound is one of those places that will be difficult to get to, but once you get there, the most wonderful nature awaits you. I say difficult because the fjord is only accessible by boat from the Pearl Harbour jetty in Manapouri or by tour like the ones I leave you below.
Doubtful Sound is the largest fjord in New Zealand’s South Island and also the deepest, with waters reaching 431 metres deep. The fjord also has a wild nature with jungle running along its U-shaped slopes.
Perhaps because of its difficult access, the fjord is a quiet and peaceful place that is popularly known as “The Sound of Silence”.
Finally, this giant fjord in Fiordland National Park is home to the curious bottlenose dolphins.
Fiordland National Park has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in all of New Zealand and is classified as a “Great Walk” in New Zealand (the highest category, the best of the best). Book your “Great Walk” and make sure you don’t have any problems before you go. Below are the essential ones, but I can tell you in advance, they won’t be for beginners.
This hiking route is considered the best in all of New Zealand, a route that necessarily begins with a cruise on Lake Te Anau to one of its shores, and then walks the 53 kilometres back. This route will last approximately four days in which the crystal-clear waters of the lake and the sharp mountains will accompany you.
Similarly, this route passes by the highest waterfall in all of New Zealand: the Sutherland Falls. Crazy!
Without a doubt, one of the most complete hiking routes in the entire Fiordland National Park, as it is specifically designed to show you the best of it. The circuit begins at the Te Anau I-Site Visitor Centre, is 60 kilometres long, and can be done in 3 or 4 days.
It passes through some of the most spectacular parts of Fiordland National Park. Here you will see the wildest and most original jungle, the characteristic tussock grass, as well as native birds of New Zealand.
Likewise, the route passes by impressive waterfalls, glacial lakes, and rivers. Lastly, the route is famous for its limestone formations and the huge mountains that you can see all along the way.
This is a curious route that can be done in both directions and connects Mt Aspiring National Park with Fiordland National Park. More specifically, it connects Glenorchy with Milford Sound on a 60-kilometre (one way) route that can be done in 3 days.
The route is a true mountain adventure as you will pass through snow-capped mountains, vast valleys, glacial lakes and the Routeburn River Gorge. The road also climbs to 1,255 metres with views of Tutuko Mountain, the highest mountain in Fiordland National Park.
A perfect experience to fully immerse yourself in the nature of New Zealand and a great way to walk to Milford Sound from Queenstown without having to drive 4 hours, just walk 3 days… xD
Back to the more standard hiking trails, this one in particular can be walked all year round. Hollyford Track starts at the end of the Lower Hollyford Road, 1.5 hours from Milford Sound and 2 from Te Anau.
The route itself is 56 kilometres one way that will take you over 4 days from the mountains to the sea in Martin’s Bay. This route is reserved for people with some experience in hiking and camping in the wild.
This alpine lake is located in a beautiful valley, a landscape that looks like something out of a postcard, with the lake reflecting the mountains and their snowy peaks. Or at least that is what the photos on the Internet promised, because when I went the lake was completely covered in fog. A clear example of what awaits you in Fiordland National Park.
Even so, the route to the lake was beautiful and not very complicated, 3 hours round trip. It passed through the native forest, a suspension bridge and several waterfalls, until reaching the longed-for lake after a small climb.
As I said, getting there will be worth it in itself, and if you are lucky and go on a clear day, be prepared to waste your phone’s battery taking photos 😉
If getting to the previous lake required a hike, in the case of Lake Te Anau getting there is very simple, just go to the town of Te Anau and from there, accessing the lake will not take you even a minute.
This lake in Fiordland National Park is the longest on the South Island and the second largest in New Zealand. A huge lake with intensely coloured waters where you can jump from Lake Te Anau Jetty, go kayaking or cruising on it, fish for delicious trout or simply relax on a secret shore and watch the sunset fall over its waters…
It’s all about lakes, and this time we’re focusing on one of the most photogenic lakes in all of New Zealand. This one is beautiful, and everything else is nonsense. Getting there is more than easy, you just have to drive to the town of Manapouri, only 20 minutes by car from Te Anau.
This lake in Fiordland National Park is the second deepest one in New Zealand. Its crystal-clear waters come from ancient glaciers, and through its branched shape await numerous deserted islands. An ideal lake to relax, observe the native bush, swim on its beaches or explore one of the many caves.
By the way, watching the sunset from the campsite near the lake was a pleasant surprise.
Finally, Lake Manapouri serves as a port for visiting the enormous fjord of Fiordland National Park. I am talking about none other than Soundful Sound.
This time, we took the bikes to enjoy this 28-kilometre route that links Lake Te Anau with Lake Manapouri, an easy route that can also be done on foot or running, and that will take you along the lakes and through native vegetation.
A great way to explore these lakes in Fiordland National Park is by following the beautiful Waiau River.
I almost forgot! If you don’t have a bike, keep reading and later you will find a very complete tour that follows this route :).
If you want to discover local birds and don’t want to spend hours in the forest searching on your own, you’ll find them grouped together at this bird sanctuary located less than 15 minutes walk from Te Anau.
The sanctuary is free to enter, although donations are accepted, and you’ll see native Fiordland birds, such as Takahe and Kaka birds, among others. If you’d like to find out more, you can find more detailed information at the Te Anau Visitor Centre itself, or book a tour that will give you all the information first-hand.
If you are travelling with your own vehicle and want to make the most of your visit to Milford Sound from Te Anau, then take it easy and stop at each of the places I am going to name below.
Mirror Lake will be the first stop on the route, and a must if you fancy seeing mountains reflected in a clear lake. All right next to the road.
The second stop will be Lake Gunn, where you can take a short tour through the forest to the lake. It is in itself nothing special, the best thing is definitely the walk through the jungle.
Next you will stop at Monkey Creek, where you can see, if you are lucky, the Kea birds and the Blue Ducks.
You will have to go through the Homer Tunnel to reach the famous Milford Sound fjord. This tunnel is steep as hell, and 1,219 metres long through the mountains. Before entering it, stop to contemplate the natural wonder “The Wall”.
YTo finish off, you will have to stop at The Chasm and take a short 20-minute walk until you reach the impressive Cham rock sculpted by the Cleddau River itself.
And that’s all for this road trip through Fiordland National Park, which instead of being a 2-hour drive has become a full-day route. It’s probably better to stop on your way back if you’re in a hurry to take one of the tours around Milford Sound.
If you are thinking of taking a guided tour through Fiordland National Park, you will soon see that almost all the tours end at Milford Sound. And it is not for nothing, because, as you have seen, the place is incredible.
For this reason, I prefer to focus more on other places in the national park and explain Milford Sound in a separate text. I will still leave you a couple of articles about the jewel of Fiordland, so that it goes unmentioned.
This is the most complete tour (in my opinion) to fully explore this famous Fiordland fjord, a cruise on the transparent waters of Milford Sound, discovering the cliffs and waterfalls, and with a guide who will give you all the information about the place. The tour includes a visit to the underwater observatory, located 10 meters below the surface, that will allow you to see the aquatic flora and fauna.
If you want to explore Milford Sound without having to worry about the nearly two-hour drive from Te Anau to the famous Fiordland, then the following tour is for you. It includes a bus from Te Anau along the scenic road to Milford Sound and then a cruise through the fiord to the Tasman Sea. A great way to fully explore Milford Sound.
An incredible tour that starts from Manopouri and takes you on a cruise from one side of the turquoise lake to the other. Then, a bus will pick you up and take you to explore the giant Doubtful Fjord. On this tour you will immerse yourself in Fiordland National Park and discover the untamed jungle, the roaring waterfalls or the characteristic geological formations such as the mountain and the sea side by side, all while a guide makes the adventure an educational and fun experience.
I love this tour because it is a bit different from what I am used to in New Zealand. The excursion starts in Te Anau by bus until you reach the Waiau River, where a motorboat will be waiting for you. A boat ride with ups and downs, high speeds on the river and stops at the most photogenic places on this river in Fiordland National Park, an adventure that culminates with a visit to the beautiful Lake Manapouri.
But that’s not all: on the way back the bus will be replaced by bicycles so you can take part in Te Anau’s Lake2Lake Cycle Trail that links Manapouri with Te Anau. A full day of activities that will make you sleep through the night.
This tour departs from Te Anau and takes you on a cruise across the lake to the coveted caves. During the guided tour, you will discover these luminous insects, learn everything you need to know about them and enjoy an educational and exciting activity in Fiordland National Park.
Of course, we are in New Zealand, and in the Fiordland National Park there could not be missing several attractions related to scenes and landscapes from Peter Jackson’s trilogy.
On this particular tour you will visit the Dead Marshes, Fangorn Forest and the Anduin River. You will also visit other Fiordland National Park locations such as the Mavora Lakes, Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and part of the Kepler Track.
Finally, the tour offers surprises and stops at secret places, as well as offering small groups with everything included and different means of transport.
If you fancy enjoying the incredible views of Fiordland National Park from a helicopter and taking a hike from the top, this will be your tour. The excursion starts from Te Anau, where you will take a helicopter that will fly over its lake and give you some never-before-seen panoramic views of the Hidden Lakes.
Finally, the helicopter will park at Luxmore Hut, where you can take two 3 or 6 hour routes that are part of the famous Kepler Track.
Fiordland is a huge national park, so finding a place to stay is a key issue. In particular, it would be highly recommended to go by motorhome and sleep in the campsites located throughout the park, so you can enjoy the attractions without having to travel many kilometres from Te Anau or Manapouri.
However, if you don’t have a campervan or you want to sleep comfortably, here are a few options spread across the towns in Fiordland National Park.
My choice when I stayed in Te Anau was Tasman Holiday Park – Te Anau. In my case I went with my campervan, since the accommodation accepts them, but the site also offers small studios with a kitchen and private bathroom.
The Holiday Park also has a laundry service, a communal kitchen and shared bathrooms. The location is very nice, right in front of Lake Te Anau.
In case you are looking for other options in Fiordland National Park, here are a couple:
Ambert Court Motel in Te Anau, a two-minute walk from Lake Te Anau, is a great choice for a comfortable night’s sleep. The motel offers private studios with fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, heaters and even hairdryers.
Additionally, they have room service breakfast for a small extra fee.
Other pretty good options for Fiordland National Park are:
Hop, Skip and Jump to the Lake is a holiday home in Te Anau that can be very interesting to rent if you are going with family or a group of friends.
It is a luxurious house with two bedrooms and 3 beds, and everything you could need to feel like you are in your own home.
Finally, I leave you with other less familiar options in Fiordland National Park, but also very complete:
The best way to get around New Zealand and, by extension, Fiordland National Park, is by car or campervan. In fact, I highly recommend renting a campervan, travelling anywhere and camping near the start of hiking trails or in the free campsites in the area.
New Zealand is a country that is completely adapted to motorhomes, there are plenty of campsites, public toilets, showers and everything you can imagine that you might need. Therefore, going in a motorhome will be something very simple and comfortable. Lastly, this is also the cheapest way to do it since, despite the initial expense, you will save a lot on accommodation and meals in restaurants.Something you should keep in mind before visiting Fiordland National Park is that some of the attractions can only be visited by taking long hiking routes, by motorboat or by helicopter. Therefore, tours play a special role in reaching these sites without having to worry too much about walking for several days.
As you can see, Fiordland National Park is an amazing place with many possibilities to offer. Getting to its attractions will be difficult and even looking for the best time to visit the national park will give you some headaches, but even with all of them, the visit will be more than rewarding and worth all the hardships.
Visiting Fiordland will take you around 3 days if you don’t plan on doing any of the long walks. Allow at least 1 full day for Milford Sound.
Now, I’ll leave you with the long-awaited tips and recommendations that will try to make your trip to Fiordland National Park as pleasant as possible.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Fiordland.
