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Pro
Amazing landscapes and scenary
Con
A Long, long Journey from Queenstown (6-7 hours one way)
In a nutshell
Don't Ever Miss It
batgirl1001 Says: This is Cleddau River inside Fiordland. The river is one of the most massive rivers that feed the waters of Milford Sound. However in winter, the volume of water in the river is low. But it certainly makes for a nice scenery.Our driver/guide informed us that the water in...
Reflection of the Mountain in the water
batgirl1001 Says: This is another reflection of the mountain in the river in Fiordland. The majesty of the mountains is the result of large-scale teutonic plates moving and conflicting one another.The geology of New Zealand is vastly different from Australia despite their close proximity to...
batgirl1001 Says: This is one place to stop on your way towards Milford Sound in Fiordland.The place is called Mirror Lake and you can see why. The reflection of the mountains in the water is so clear and still, it looks positively radiant. The lake can be many times larger in summer but in...
Waterfalls and Rainbows in Milford Sound
batgirl1001 Says: This is one of the few rainbows we managed to catch on camera as part of our journey through the sound.Many boats can get really close to the waterfalls, especially the small redboats. Passengers can thus get 'splashed' by the water and get themselves wet. It can be fun but...
batgirl1001 Says: This is one of the many waterfalls you can find at Milford Sound and one of the largest we saw that day.I am thinking, I need to be here again in summer to see the full extend of its power. The water comes from the mountains above and runs through highland rivers. There are...
batgirl1001 Says: There are many mountain peaks you can spot around the sound and this is again one of the many. I don't know the name but hopefully someone can tell me.
batgirl1001 Says: The Milford Sound is the tail-end of the journey into Fiordland. It is a majestic sound and quite worth a trip on a boat to tour the area.Along the way, you can find seals basking in the sun, dolphins in the water, fishes and birds. There are also many waterfalls but in...
Helpfulness
Since it is a national park and a designated World Heritage Site, you won't find any restaurants along your journey into Fiordland.
Whatever you need, you better get it at Te Anau, the last stop before entering Fiordland.
All tour buses will stop there and if you are driving, so should you, to get food supplies, petrol etc for the journey ahead.
The only restaurant you will find, is either on the boat trip or at the jetty where there is a cafe.
Written Dec 10, 2004
Do a checklist before entering Fiordland
batgirl1001 Says: As Te Anau is the last town before entering Fiordland, make sure you get whatever you need at this town before you do so.Obviously since this is a National Park cum World Heritage Site, you won't find convenience stores, petrol kiosks anywhere in there. Hence fill up a full...
batgirl1001 Says: Instead of taking the long journey by bus, if you have the budget, you can choose to fly instead.However this option is not for the budget conscious. The flight is approximately 20 minutes and offers breaktaking scenery of the mountains and sound in Fiordland.However you can...
batgirl1001 Says: If you intend to drive from Queenstown to Te Anau, you need to start off early at about 7am. The journey to Te Anau takes about 5 hours on average and passes through a lot of desolate areas including plains, deserts and farms.Hence fill up a full tank before you go and get...
The Fiordland region is serviced by the townships of Te Anau and Manapouri, the gateways to Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
Te Anau has several arts and craft shops – look for hand made pottery, woodwork, artwork, fine wool products and other locally made gifts and souvenirs. Several shops stock beautiful New Zealand wool products, cosmetics and apparel. Stunning pounamu (greenstone or jade) jewellery is also available, along with New Zealand chocolates and gourmet food products.
Te Anau’s clothing stores carry a wide range of high quality outdoor apparel for hiking, hunting and fishing. You’ll also find New Zealand merino products, shoes, day and evening wear and much, much more.
Most shops are open seven days a week and late night shopping is available in the summer months.
Written Aug 20, 2003
Many Traffic Controls on NZ's most dangerous Road
Kakapo2 Says: Believe it or not: The road to Milford Road is New Zealand's most dangerous road, in relation of accidents to the number of cars on the road. This unfortunately means that - although NZ drivers are really bad drivers - tourists are even worse drivers on this road because...
kiwi Says: These mountain parrots, called Keas, can be very mischievous and damaging. They can steel your belongings, even a boot or a camera! They can pick parts off your vehicle, and have been known to remove hubcaps and other attachments!Fiordland is where they live, and it is their...
batgirl1001 Says: The Milford Track is considered by many to be one of the finest walks in the world. The track spans 60 kilometres over hills, rivers and plains and gives the best views of Fiordland that no vehicle can.You need to get a licence before you walk the Milford Track in summer and...
TomorrowsAngel Says: It is the rarest penguin in the world, with only 3,000 known breeding pairs. A protected species, the Fiordland crested penguin is found only in Westland, Fiordland, and Stewart Island.
TomorrowsAngel Says: Dusky Track (90km) is best suited to those with experience. Various options allow the traveller to spend five to seven days following three major river valleys. Climb two passes culminating in the arrival at Fiordland’s largest and most extensive fiord - Dusky Sound. This...
TomorrowsAngel Says: Hollyford Track (80km) leads the walker from the sheer rock walls of the Darren Mountains down to the sand dunes of the Tasman Sea at Martins Bay. Experience the splendid isolation of the Fiordland bush, the bustling energy of the Hollyford River and the sand and windswept...
Kakapo2 Says: -It is relatively difficult to travel to and cruise other fiords than Milford and Doubtful Sounds. However, there are a few operators that offer trips to Dusky and Breaksea Sounds, as well as to Preservation Inlet, and to more northern fiords.In winter (May, August) there is...
Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound?
Kakapo2 Says: A question that comes up in the Forum permanently is:Milford or Doubtful Sound?Here is a little write up:I have been to Doubtful Sound once, and twice to Milford Sound. If you have not been to Milford Sound you have missed it all somehow. Already standing at the wharf, you...
Fiordland is a spectacularly gorgeous place which is hard to describe into words without being too effusive or exaggerating.It's a- You have to see it for yourself kind of feeling. Fiordland was...
New Zealand Trip 1999 - Fiordland
In 1999, following my last papers for my college degree, one of my best friend, Woon, and I took a "graduation" trip to New Zealand's South Island celebrate to this event. It was a trip filled with...
I have lately been in Fiordland, so have up-to-date info. However, it will take a while until I can post all the things I have seen and know. In the meantime I will just place some Forum answers...
Fiordland is one of Earth's special corners, being virtually untouched, and of course being a preserved piece of Godwana. Fauna and some wildlife dates back a very long way and because we are an...
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 and is...
Build your own Fiordland National Park page
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