Fiordland is located on the south-west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. As one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand, Fiordland has achieved World Heritage status. The power of Fiordland’s scenery never fails to enthrall travelers. Waterfalls tumble hundreds of meters into massive fiords; ancient rain forest clings impossibly to the mountains; shimmering lakes and granite peaks look the same today as they did a thousand years ago.
Fiordland was well known to Maori, who have many legends recounting its formation and naming. Semi-god Tute Rakiwhanoa is said to have carved the rugged landscape from formless rock, hewing out the steep sided valleys with his adzes.
From the resort town of Te Anau it is an easy two hours drive to Milford Sound and twenty minutes drive to Lake Manapouri and the start of a Doubtful Sound excursion, which is only accessible by boat. Visitors can explore Fiordland National Park by foot, sea kayak or boat, or take to the air and do it the flight seeing way. Hikers have access to a choice of well known walking challenges; scenery lovers can catch a scenic flight or enjoy lake and fiord cruises; divers can discover rare black corals growing just beneath the water’s surface
The Fiordland National Park covers showcases dramatic wilderness on a grand scale. Waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into pristine, forested valleys, sheer-sided fiords slide gracefully into the sea. Famous multi-day walking tracks in the region include the Milford, Kepler, Hollyford and Routeburn Tracks – guides are available for some tracks. Overnight cruises on Milford and Doubtful Sound can be arranged by Umfulana. |
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| Dense Rainforest & Pure Wilderness: Fiordland National Park |
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