The power of Fiordland’s scenery never fails to enthral travellers. Waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into massive fiords; ancient rainforest clings impossibly to the mountains; shimmering lakes and granite peaks look the same today as they did a thousand years ago.
Milford is by far the best known of the fiords, and the only one accessible by road. Whether you are driving, flying or walking into Milford, the vista that awaits you is both beautiful and awesome. Hidden in the south western corner of the South Island lies Doubtful Sound, practically untouched by man, it has a deep stillness, a sense of solitude and serenity.
At 421 metres, Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the fiords. It’s a haven for nature, with resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. The attractive town of Te Anau is the main visitor base for Fiordland National Park. It lies on the edge of the serene deep waters of Lake Te Anau the largest lake in the South Island and second largest in New Zealand.
The lakeside town of Manapouri also provides a base for journeys into the glacier-carved wilderness. Lake Manapouri is the second deepest lake in New Zealand and has a large hydro power station at the end of its west arm.
MUST SEE & DO
- Cruise on Milford and Doubtful Sounds
- Visit the Underwater Observatory at Milford Sound
- Tour the Manapouri Underground Power Station
- Enjoy one of the many guided walks in the area
- Visit the Te Anau glow worm caves
- Watch Ata Whenua, a cinematic experience of Fiordland at the cinema in Te Anau
