A Guide to Fiordland National Park

Stretching across 1.2 million hectares of ancient rainforest, tall peaks and deep glacial valleys, Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand’s most special wild places. Tucked away in the south-west corner of the South Island, this UNESCO World Heritage Area feels like a world apart, untouched and dramatic.

Whether you’re here for a Milford Sound cruise, a multi-day hike on the famous Milford Track, or simply soaking up the scenery, Fiordland delivers the kind of experiences that stay with you long after you’ve gone home.

Why Fiordland National Park is so special

Fiordland is the largest national park in New Zealand, and it’s easy to see why it holds such a treasured place in the hearts of locals and visitors. Carved by glaciers over millions of years, the landscape is defined by sheer cliff faces, cascading waterfalls and mirror-still fiords that reflect the mountains above.

The park is home to some of the rarest wildlife in the country, including the takahē, a flightless bird once thought to be extinct, as well as kea, tūī, bellbirds and the elusive Fiordland crested penguin (tawaki). Dense podocarp and beech forests blanket the valleys, and alpine herb fields cling to the higher slopes.

Getting to Fiordland: Te Anau as your base

The lakeside township of Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland and makes the perfect base for your trip. Sitting on the shores of Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second-largest lake, this small town has everything you need: accommodation from holiday parks to boutique lodges, good cafés and restaurants, and easy access to all the major attractions.

Te Anau is about two hours’ drive from Queenstown, and the journey itself is a good one. It winds through rolling farmland and mountain scenery. From Te Anau, you’re well placed to explore Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, the Kepler Track and much more.

A lot of visitors also enjoy our Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour, reached by boat from the township. It’s a special underground experience and a great way to spend an evening.

The Milford Track and other Great Walks

Fiordland is home to three of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and the most famous of these is the Milford Track. Often described as “the finest walk in the world”, this 53.5km trail takes you through lush valleys, past tall waterfalls (including the well-known Sutherland Falls), and over Mackinnon Pass.

The Milford Track takes four days and three nights, and bookings through the Department of Conservation (DOC) are essential during the Great Walk season (late October to late April). It’s a bucket-list trip for trampers from around the world.

If the Milford Track isn’t on your itinerary this time, there are plenty of shorter walks in the area, from the gentle Lake Gunn Nature Walk to the Key Summit Track, which rewards you with sweeping views across the Hollyford Valley.

Exploring Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound

No visit to Fiordland National Park is complete without getting out on the water. Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is the most accessible of the fiords and arguably the most iconic, with Mitre Peak rising 1,692 metres straight from the water’s edge.

A Milford Sound cruise is the best way to experience the fiord up close. Join us on a Nature Cruise for a relaxed exploration of the full fiord, or step things up with our Discover More Cruise, which includes a visit to our Milford Sound Underwater Observatory, the only floating underwater observatory in New Zealand. There, you’ll descend 10 metres below the surface to see the unique marine life that thrives in these dark, tannin-rich waters.

Getting to Milford Sound from Te Anau is an adventure in itself. The Milford Road (State Highway 94) is one of the most scenic drives in the country, passing through the Homer Tunnel and past plenty of photo stops along the way. If you’d prefer not to drive, our Coach & Cruise package takes care of the journey for you, so you can sit back and enjoy every moment.

For those coming from further afield, our Scenic Flight & Cruise combines a flight over the mountains with a cruise on the fiord. It’s a great way to see Fiordland from above and below.

Tips for visiting Fiordland

Fiordland gets around 200 days of rain each year, and that rainfall is part of what makes the landscape so lush and the waterfalls so impressive. Pack layers, waterproof gear and sturdy footwear, regardless of the season. The upside: rainy days in Milford Sound are often the best, with hundreds of temporary waterfalls streaming down the cliffs.

The best time to visit depends on what you’re after. Summer (December to February) brings the longest days and warmest temperatures, while winter offers a quieter trip with snow-dusted peaks and fewer crowds.

Sandflies are a fact of life in Fiordland. Bring insect repellent and you’ll be just fine.

Start planning your Fiordland adventure

Fiordland National Park is one of those rare places that genuinely exceeds expectations. From the world-famous Milford Track to the deep quiet of the fiords, every corner of this park offers something memorable.

Base yourself in Te Anau, get out on the water with a Milford Sound cruise, and give yourself the time to take in one of the most beautiful corners of the planet.

Ready to cruise Milford Sound?

We’d love to take you out on the fiord. Our Nature Cruise gets you up close to waterfalls, fur seals, dolphins and the tall cliffs that make Milford Sound so special, with open viewing decks and skippers who know every corner. We promise you’ll see why people travel from all over the world for this.

Book a Milford Sound Nature Cruise