Fiordland National Park
Nothing can prepare you for the Fiordland National Park. Its vast wilderness has snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes and valleys, fiords, islands, waterfalls, dense rainforest and tussock alpine plateaux.
Fiordland is the largest national park in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world, covering 1.2 million hectares. It has been recognised as one of the world's foremost natural landscapes through its inclusion in the South West New Zealand (Te Wahipounamu) World Heritage Area.
Hundreds of lakes dot Fiordland's landscape, among them one of the deepest in New Zealand, Lake Hauroko at 462m. Other well known lakes are Te Anau, Manapouri and Monowai. Fiordland's coast is lined with 14 spectacular fiords, including the famous Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds.
The spectacular vegetation includes many species of beech, tussocks, mosses, tree ferns, herbs, buttercups and the showy alpine daisy. The park is home to several threatened native animals including the takahe, a flightrless alpine rail thought to be extinct earlier this century, and the yellow-crowned parakeets, yellowheads (mohua), robins, kaka, bats and the South Island saddleback. More common sights are tomtits, fantails, tui, bellbirds, keas and native pigeons, along with teals, ducks and grebes.
Activities in and around the Fiordland National Park include:
Walking Fiordland is home to some great tracks - the Hollyford, Greenstone, Caples, Dusky, Routeburn, Kepler and Milford Tracks. The latter three are on New Zealand's 'Great Walks' list. All can be walked independently and guided walks are available for the Milford, Routeburn, Greenstone and Hollyford tracks. As the weather conditions in the area can change quickly, it is essential to be fully prepared for all eventualities. Check conditions, pay hut fees in advance and fill in intention forms with the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau prior to departure.
Te Anau4WD motorbikes, farm tours and visits, fishing and hunting, golf, hiking, horse trekking, kayaking, mountian biking, sailing, scenic flights (floatplane, helicopter and fixed wing), skydiving, shopping and the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
Lake ManapouriKayaking, lake cruises, fishing and hunting, and the West Arm Underground Power Station.
Milford Sound The sound is a 120km or 2.5hr drive from Te Anau along the scenic Milford Road and can be reached by car, coach or plane. Once in Milford Sound, activities include overnight or day cruises, kayaking, diving, Milford Deep Underwater Observatory, scenic flights and short walks.
Doubtful Sound Doubtful Sound is reached from Manapouri. Day and overnight cruises, kayaking and scenic flights are available.