Fiordland

Nearby

Fiordland: Understand

Fiordland National Park offers some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. The Park is home to many of New Zealand’s most famous walks including the Milford Track. This unspoilt land made up of rugged, bush-clad mountainous fiords is a must visit.

Fiordland: Getting In & Out

By plane:

Excluding scenic flight into the Fiordland National Park, the best airport to access the park from would be Invercargill or Queenstown. From both airports, you would need to get to Te Anau (approximately 2-hour drive from each). Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland.

Renting a campervan or rental car is a great way to explore New Zealand with flexibility and freedom! It’s easiest to pick up/drop off rentals from the major airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. We recommend you book in advance. Check out our handy guides Travel New Zealand by Campervan or Travel New Zealand by Car.

By car:

Te Anau can be reached by SH6 and SH94 from Queenstown or SH1 and SH94 from Invercargill.

Fiordland National park is accessible from many points on the roads between Te Anau and Milford Sound (or side roads).

By bus:

Regular bus services are available to Te Anau from Queenstown and Invercargill.

Take a look at the InterCity website to plan your bus journey.

Fiordland: See & Do

Te Anau is the gateway to the Fiordland National Park.

It’s a quiet little town set amongst some of the most glorious scenery the country has to offer. The township lies at the southern end of Lake Te Anau, the second largest lake in New Zealand. The beauty of the lake is enhanced by its 3 arms which extend deep into the flora covered mountains.

Lake Te Anau was formed by a huge glacier thousands of years ago. It stretches 53 km north and is up to 10 kilometres at its widest point.

Te Anau is the launching point for many great hikes including the Milford, Kepler, Hollyford, Routeburn and Dusky tracks.

Most famous in Fiordland is the Milford Sound.

From Te Anau, the Milford Sound is less than a 2-hour drive along an incredibly scenic road.

It has been dubbed the “8th Wonder of the World” for it’s natural, un-touched backdrop. The Sound is home to the impressive Mitre Peak, which stands at 1695 metres (over 5000 feet).

What we love about this place are the beautiful colours, the sheer cliff, the impressive waterfalls, and rainforest all around you. It’s really hard to not just let your jaw drop as you turn and take it all in.

It’s most common to see the Milford Sound by boat in a scenic cruise, but there are flight tours that depart from Queenstown too.

There’s also the option to hike the Milford Track. See more below in Multi-Day Trips.

Doubtful Sound, offers equally stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. Real Journeys and Doubtful Sound Boat Cruises offer day and overnight boat cruises where you can experience the beauty of this spectacular part of New Zealand.

Rosco’s Milford Kayaks have a range of all-year-round, fully guided sea kayaking eco-adventures that showcases Milford Sound in its own unique kiwi way.

Multi-Day Trips Near Fiordland

The Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks”, and many rate it as “the greatest of the great”. This is a 5-day hike, and due to popularity usually needs to be booked a year in advance. The scenery on this track is quite different from what you experience on the boat trip, so they don’t need to be exclusive activities.

Routeburn Track

Hollyford Track

Doubtful Sound

Fiordland: Eat & Drink

A great cafe in Te Anau is Sandfly Cafe – good meals that are a reasonable price, and a brownie to die for.

Miles Better Pies are also a popular option after returning from adventures in Fiordland.

Fiordland: Sleep

For accommodation in Milford Sound, the Milford Sound Lodge provides a range of options from self-contained luxury chalets to basic double, twin or backpacker rooms along with campervan and camping sites.

Finding available accomodation in Milford Sound can be more difficult during the peak season so we recommend booking well in advance.

Te Anau offers a comprehensive range of lodgings including quality Hotels, Motels and a variety of hosted accommodation options.

Distinction Luxmore Hotel is an affordable 4 star hotel accommodation in the centre of Te Anau. Features free WiFi, a spacious lounge, gym, two restaurants and landscaped grounds.

Blue Ridge Bed and Breakfast has well appointed bed and breakfast lodgings boasting tiled ensuite bathrooms with under tile heating. Set in a quiet street near the town centre.

Dunluce Bed and Breakfast offers luxury bed and breakfast accommodation in a lake-facing setting near Te Anau. Boasts spacious rooms with spectacular mountain and lake views.

Birchwood Cottages are located a short walk from the town centre, offering private accommodation nestled amongst peaceful birch trees and boasting superb mountain views.

Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau has comfortable studio unit accommodation located on the lakefront. Also features a restaurant / bar and wireless Internet access.

The Croft Bed and Breakfast offers comfortable cottage accommodation set amongst peaceful gardens boasting spectacular views of Lake Te Anau and the mountains beyond.