Fiordland is magic. Usually touted by vacationers as their favourite place in all of New Zealand (which is saying one thing as a result of all of NZ is epic), Fiordland is residence to so many distinctive experiences, uncommon wildlife, big mountains, historic rainforest, and pristine landscapes all alongside one of many wildest coastlines. Oh, and there are few individuals too.
Fiordland has earned her repute again and again.
Whereas I’ve shared a lot of my Fiordland adventures through the years, it’s been some time since I’ve whipped up a pleasant overview of my favorites. Based mostly on practically a decade of expertise, listed here are 16 issues to do in Fiordland: get pleasure from the very best of the very best.
1. Spend the night time on the water in Uncertain Sound
I’ve finished nearly each Fiordland journey and exercise possible in nearly each season. And one expertise tends to lord over the remainder – an in a single day Uncertain Sound cruise with RealNZ.
Actually, I’ve by no means heard a foul phrase about it, and so many individuals say it’s their favourite expertise of a New Zealand vacation. Uncertain Sound in a single day by no means disappoints. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to make two in a single day journeys to Uncertain Sound through the years, as soon as in winter and as soon as in summer time, and so they have been equally spectacular.
On my most up-to-date journey, there have been two-night cruises in wintertime, and we awakened on our final day to contemporary snowfall and dozens of short-term waterfalls tumbling down the mountains, which didn’t appear actual.
Uncertain Sound has a singular story. It was the place of one among New Zealand’s first important conservation rulings. Within the 1960’s it was proposed the elevate the extent of close by Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri for hydropower, which might have destroyed a lot of the unimaginable ecology there. It’s additionally accessed by the Wilmot Cross, New Zealand’s most costly street, which connects Lake Manapouri to Uncertain Sound for the facility plant. And it’s an unconnected street to another kiwi roads – fairly particular!
2. Go for a day journey cruise in Milford Sound
Milford Sound sits facet by facet on the high of the record of Fiordland experiences with Uncertain Sound. The one fiord accessed by street instantly, it will get round a million guests per 12 months. Nestled alongside the west coast of the South Island, Milford Sound is a world-renowned pure surprise with towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and improbable wildlife.
You’ll undoubtedly see fur seals; if fortunate, you may meet the resident dolphins and uncommon Fiordland crested penguins.
Most individuals come on day journeys to do a day cruise with RealNZ across the fiord. You gotta get on the water to completely recognize the size of the place. Nonetheless, you are able to do an in a single day cruise too. Milford Sound is certainly on the high of issues to do in Fiordland.
3. Take your time exploring the long-lasting Milford Highway
There are a lot of methods to reach in Milford Sound, and by street has lengthy been my favourite. New Zealand has no scarcity of fantastic roads, many with spectacular views. However when you’ve pushed alongside the hanging valleys and crossed by way of the Milford Tunnel – nowhere tops it.
Many individuals head to Milford Sound as a day journey (3.5-hour drive a method from Queenstown or 1.5 hours from Te Anau), and for those who ebook the Milford Sound day journey with RealNZ, their glass roof bus stops at the very best spots on the way in which to your day cruise. Your different possibility is to self-drive, which I extremely advocate.
Somewhat secret from me – ebook a late afternoon cruise or drive on to Milford Sound after which do all of the street stops in your approach out. The daytrippers come over within the morning, and whereas they’re staggered, you usually can have all over the place to your self as soon as the afternoon hits, particularly in summer time when the solar units at 11 pm.
4. Strap on a pack and stroll the Routeburn Monitor, one among New Zealand’s Nice Walks
I first walked the Routeburn Monitor approach again when in 2016. We went the primary weekend the hut tickets dropped the worth for winter, and we completely froze our butts off. Whereas it was undoubtedly spectacular, my pervading reminiscence is the chilly.
However like most of Fiordland, these freezing nonetheless nights that convey heavy frost at all times harken a vivid and sunny, cloudless day. Although typically, it may well take some time for the steep Fiordland valleys to obtain the daylight. However boy, after they do, it’s magic.
I lately walked the Routeburn Monitor once more, which was even higher than I keep in mind. It’s one of many shorter Nice Walks in New Zealand, and I discover it fairly simple. Clocking in at 31 kilometers, most individuals stroll it in three days. You additionally get a little bit of every thing as you cross from Mt. Aspiring Nationwide Park into Fiordland. The trickiest half is that the beginning and end of the Routeburn are 5 hour drive aside. I at all times use Simple Hike to relocate my automobile for me.
5. Go to the native chicken sanctuary, Punanga Manu o Te Anau
Fiordland is residence to a few of our most treasured, uncommon native chicken species. It’s even residence to our solely native mammal – the bat. Lots of the biggest conservation tales in New Zealand started right here, like rediscovering the kākāpō within the Sinbad Valley or the takahē within the Murchison Mountains – each believed to be extinct.
Whereas it’s uncommon or inconceivable to see a number of the uncommon species within the wild in New Zealand (many reside on predator-free offshore islands or reside in areas of restricted entry), Punanga Manu o Te Anau/ Te Anau Chook Sanctuary is a spot the place you get the possibility to see a few of these guys up shut in a respectful approach.
Working on donations, the sanctuary is free to the general public. The birds in aviaries right here have both been injured or can not survive within the wild, and others are a part of captive-rearing packages. The injured birds are rehabilitated and, if doable, launched again into the wild.
6. Hike as much as Lake Marian for a picnic lunch
Whereas choosing a favourite day hike in Fiordland is tough, Lake Marian undoubtedly sits on the high of the record. She is gorgeous, and it additionally helps that it’s the primary place I ever noticed our uncommon blue duck, whio, within the wild.
An hour and a half steep slog up by way of the dense temperate rainforest will convey you out alongside the shores of probably the most picturesque alpine lake. The views are unreal in one among Fiordland’s most interesting (and simply accessed) hanging valleys. On a relaxed day, the mountains are sometimes mirrored completely within the water beneath.
It’s simpler the fitter you’re, however it’s steep and muddy; it’s no stroll within the park.
7. Go kayaking within the rain in Milford Sound
I’ve mentioned it earlier than, and I’ll say it once more: Milford Sound is magical within the pouring rain. Fiordland receives an insane quantity of rainfall per 12 months. And whereas Milford is gorgeous on a sunny day, I feel it’s even higher when it’s moody. And the very best? Pouring down with heavy rain.
Usually a whole bunch of short-term waterfalls cascade down the steep mountain faces to the fiord beneath. The peaks drift out and in of misty clouds.
Hop on a kayak journey with legends like Rosco’s Kayaks for a paddle round Milford and pray for rain and no wind. Then you definitely’ll expertise Fiordland at its most interesting. You may also kayak from the boat on the in a single day cruises in Fiordland with RealNZ.
8. Search for the cheeky, uncommon kea, New Zealand’s native alpine parrot, round Fiordland
Africa has issues with wild elephants destroying valuable farmland. Canada has grizzly bears. Australia has snakes. And New Zealand has the kea.
The one alpine parrot, the kea, calls the alpine South Island residence. And you’ve got top-of-the-line possibilities of seeing these clowns down in Fiordland. The Homer Tunnel main into Milford sits round 1000 meters above sea degree. Since kea are likely to reside and dangle across the alpine space, it’s a superb place to see them within the wild with out climbing mountains.
However be careful. They’re naughty and clever and can rip off the rubber round your automobile home windows and windshield wipers. They will even open your packs or throw your tramping boots off a cliff, given half the possibility. Nevertheless it’s vital to not feed them. A fed kea is a lifeless kea.
9. Hop on a scenic flight above Fiordland
If you wish to actually recognize the size and enormity of the landscapes in New Zealand, you have to get your self on a scenic flight above Fiordland.
In the event you haven’t been right here earlier than, you’ll rapidly notice there aren’t lots of roads within the distant a part of the nation, and Fiordland has only some. Whereas the Milford Highway is epic and a spot you shouldn’t skip, for those who’re quick on time or eager to splurge, there’s no place higher than hopping on a fixed-wing or helicopter flight to Milford Sound.
Many selected to fly to Milford Sound for his or her day journeys with RealNZ from Queenstown. You may also do helicopter flights which I like much more than the small mounted wings. Fiordland Helicopters are actual legends, and so they function out of Te Anau with some improbable scenic flights across the space. They’ve been round for the reason that deer wars of the 60s.
10. Stroll alongside the attractive Kepler monitor or climb as much as Luxmore Hut on a day journey
The Kepler Monitor is one among New Zealand’s Nice Walks and is well accessed from close by Te Anau. A 60-kilometer-long loop monitor and most of the people stroll it in summertime over three to 4 days. The surroundings is spectacular and diverse; you by no means get bored.
The monitor begins alongside the shores of Lake Te Anau, traversing lush forest earlier than climbing up by way of the bush to the Fiordland peaks like Mt Luxmore. The views are spectacular in any climate. In the event you solely have a day, you may climb as much as Luxmore Hut and past to Mt Luxmore for some unimaginable views. It’s an awesome spot to look at for kea however be vigilant together with your belongings.
11. Go offline and spend per week on a ship in Dusky Sound
Final summer time, I spent 5 magical days off the grid in distant Dusky Sound with Wild Fiordland; an unimaginable native crew that takes company out on their stunning boat, the Breaksea Lady. Off the grid in a real paradise, you’ll spend your days’ kayaking, snorkeling, consuming, strolling, and exploring one of the vital distant corners of New Zealand.
Since Dusky Sound is mostly solely accessed by helicopter, you too can get your repair for scenic flights too. In the event you’ve been to Fiordland earlier than or for those who’re after an additional particular journey of a lifetime, that is the journey for you.
Since 2015, RealNZ has been engaged on a long-term venture to take away predators from Cooper Island – the third-largest island in Dusky Sound to protect it as one of the vital intact ecosystems on this planet.
12. Discover the long-lasting Milford swing at sundown
I’m not fairly certain when the Milford swing on the waterfront grew to become a factor, however it’s simple to see why it’s so standard. It’s an epic spot with epic views and the right place to let your hair right down to stream within the breeze for Instagram.
Dealing with straight out in direction of the long-lasting and mighty Mitre Peak, it’s comparatively simple to search out. Simply stroll alongside the Forest Stroll footpath alongside the foreshore of the fiord from Freshwater Basin. Crossing the little bridge, follow the fitting. There’s a small opening out onto the sandy seaside space (tide pending) the place you may stroll out and see the swing in your proper. It’s not marked, however you may simply discover it.
It’s a type of follow-your-nose conditions, finest visited throughout low tide. I used to be there within the summertime at sundown and had the entire place to myself, besides for about a million sandflies.
13. Search for whio, our uncommon and elusive blue duck
Whio/Blue Duck are a number of the rarest geese on this planet and are solely present in New Zealand. Fiordland is likely one of the locations you have got a very good probability of seeing them within the wild. The whio (pronounced “fee-oh”) was once discovered all over the place in New Zealand, and now they’re virtually gone.
There are lower than 3,000 whio left, and they’re 20 instances extra endangered than kiwi. They’re most threatened by launched animals, like weasels and cats, which might simply kill them. In reality, with out our assist, 90% of whio nests fail within the wild. RealNZ helps DOC’s Whio Blue Duck Restoration Program, particularly in Fiordland.
I noticed my very first whio within the wild on the waterfalls on the Lake Marian Monitor. Often called the white water rafting duck, whio love to hang around in fast-moving mountain rivers.
14. Go botanizing within the Borland Valley
Clicking in at 1.2 million hectares, Fiordland is big, and most of it’s inaccessible besides by helicopter, boat, or our personal two toes. However the Borland Valley is likely one of the few areas with street entry, although it’s not at all times for the faint of coronary heart. Unsealed, slim, and steep, it’s not advisable for campervans, and 4WD is normally the very best. The street was constructed to take care of the facility strains to the West Arm Energy Station in Manapōuri.
Nevertheless it’s the biodiversity of this a part of Fiordland that’s magnificent! Highway entry as much as virtually 1,000 meters makes this distinctive alpine surroundings way more accessible than others in Fiordland. It’s additionally residence to one of the vital botanically numerous alpine environments in New Zealand.
Whereas this a part of Fiordland perhaps doesn’t get as a lot consideration because the flashier Milford Sound, I discover it equally, if no more, stunning and thrilling.
15. Climb Gertrude Saddle and search for rock wren
One among my favourite day hikes in New Zealand is the long-lasting Gertrude Saddle, which leads you to the saddle of the Gertrude Valley, trying down into Milford Sound. The view is epic, however it’s a difficult tramping monitor. There have been many accidents and deaths on this monitor through the years.
You must climb up, typically with chains, and stroll on substantial rock slabs which might be slippery in something however dry climate. It’s additionally comparatively simple to overlook a path marker and get bluffed out, leading to fatalities. Lastly, it traverses many avalanche chutes, so it shouldn’t be tried in winter.
However for those who’re a assured hiker with a head for heights., there’s nothing higher than the Gertrude Saddle route. And together with the views, it’s additionally a improbable place to search for the uncommon rock wren/tuke, our solely true alpine chicken (kea nest within the bush).
16. Dive beneath the waters of Fiordland in search of black coral
Scuba diving is one among my favourite journey spots, and I’ve dived in lots of locations all over the world, all of which have been tropical. However after listening to about how improbable diving in Fiordland was, I knew I needed to get down right here. I additionally knew it could be about as removed from tropical as I may probably get.
Fiordland’s underwater habitat is extremely distinctive. Dwelling to the uncommon black coral, crayfish, fur seals, and greater than 150 fish species. Due to its insane quantity of annual rainfall, Fiordland has a phenomenon the place a number of meters of freshwater sits on the floor of the saltwater, darkened by the tannins of the forest because it tips right down to the fiord. This darkish freshwater layer permits deep-dwelling black coral (white, go determine) to reside close to the floor.
Diving with Descend Diving in Milford will convey you to one of the vital exceptional dive websites.
What did I miss? Share your favourite issues to do in Fiordland – I’m eager to listen to. Remark beneath!
