Fiordland
Welcome to Fiordland
The insider's travel guide to FiordlandAlthough Milford Sound is one of the South Island’s most popular attractions, the large Fiordland National Park it sits within contains huge expanses of wilderness.
Long-distance hikes through some of the 14 fiords reveal waterfalls, fur seals, penguins, dolphins, and watery mountain vistas—but don’t forget the wet-weather gear.
The Fiordland atlas
5 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere-
Distance: Approx. 60 km Duration: Five days Start: Kepler Track Car Park (near Te Anau) End: Rainbow Reach (with an optional return to Kepler Track Car Park) Difficulty: Moderate This beautiful five-day trek takes in a wealth of fantastic Fiordland scenery, and unlike many hiking routes which are based on historic tracks used by the Maori or forestry and hunting tracks, the Kepler was created specifically as a hiking trail in the late 1980s.The trail starts from the Kepler Track Car Park, just outside of Te Anau, and officially ends at Rainbow Reach, with an option to return to the starting point to complete a full loop.One of the highlights is the breathtaking panoramic view from Kepler Ridge, showcasing the surrounding mountains, valleys, and lakes. Accommodation along the trail is a mixture of huts and campsites managed by the Department of Conservation.
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Distance: Approx. 32 km Duration: Three to four days Start: Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy) End: The Divide (near Te Anau) Difficulty: Moderate One of New Zealand’s most popular treks, the Routebourn crams in some of the best views in Fjordland National Park and Mt Aspiring National Park into an unforgettable three days. The route starts at the Routeburn Shelter, close to Glenorchy, and ends at The Divide, near Te Anau. You pass through a variety of landscapes, from wildflower meadows to alpine valleys, enjoying incredible vistas over Mt Aspiring National Park. One of the trek's highlights is the panoramic view from the Harris Saddle and Conical Hill - on a clear day, views stretch as far as the Tasman Sea. Accommodation on the track is in the form of comfortable huts managed by the Department of Conservation, and camping is also an option at designated sites.
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Distance: Approx. 84 km Duration: Eight to ten days Start: Hauroko Burn HutEnd: Wilmot Burn HutDifficulty: Strenuous The classic Dusky Track takes you on an eight to ten-day trek around Dusky Sound, New Zealand's deepest lake. It is not for the faint-hearted and requires careful planning to avoid flooding that frequently blocks entire trail sections. It isn't nicknamed 'New Zealand's hardest hike' for nothing; you'll need to take a boat ride just to reach the starting point. The Dusky Track terrain is rough and muddy. You hike up Pleasant Range before dropping down to Loch Maree, and you'll get plenty of tarn and mountain views. Huts are dotted along the route, on a first come first serve basis.
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Distance: Approx. 54 km Duration: Four days Start: Glade Wharf (Te Anau Lake) End: Sandfly Point (Milford Sound) Difficulty: Moderate New Zealand’s most famous walk is a four-day trek into the heart of Fjordland’s most stupendously beautiful scenery. Often described as one of the world’s most beautiful hikes, it is (deservedly) popular and limited spaces sell out within minutes.
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This itinerary encompasses some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in New Zealand, in the lower South Island. Starting on the flat Canterbury Plains, the mountains rise as you drive inland.Starting in Christchurch, head due south to Dunedin, stopping en route at the unusual Moeraki Boulders.From Dunedin, drive inland towards the mountains, stopping first in Queenstown. The small city on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is surrounded by the Remarkables mountains, and offers a wealth of adventure sport activities. A number of day trips or overnighters can be taken from Queenstown, especially in the Fiordland National Park: Milford Sound and Te Anau.Moving on from Queenstown, spend a couple of days in nearby Wanaka or continue to Mt. Cook Village.Spend at least one night in Tekapo to stargaze in the world’s largest dark-sky reserve before returning to Christchurch.
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Kepler Track
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Routeburn Track
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Dusky Track
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Milford Track
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South Island Circular Road Trip
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