When you travel to Fiordland, you will be visiting one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand.
Fiordland has achieved World Heritage status and is renowned as the home of Mitre Peak, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, and for the many Great Walks (the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Tracks), within the Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks.
Fiordland is one of the world’s wettest regions and Milford Sound, surrounded by Fiordland’s highest mountains, is the wettest area, averaging 6,000mm a year. This makes for some spectacular waterfalls. The climate is temperate, although Milford is noted for its abrupt weather changes. In summer, temperatures can rise to 25 degrees Celsius and in winter, snow falls on the valley floors.
The extraordinary scenic beauty has earned this region a reputation as a significant sightseeing and walking destination, and a 'Must See' for anyone traveling to New Zealand.
Te Anau
The serene deep waters of Lake Te Anau make up the largest lake in the South Island and second largest in NZ, and are bordered on its western shore by lush virgin forest.
Te Anau is the hub of the Fiordland region, nestled at the edge of this beautiful lake, with a spectacular backdrop of Mt. Luxmore and the Murchison mountains. From here an easy 2- 2 & 1/2 hours drive to Milford Sound and 20 minutes by coach to Lake Manapouri and the start of a Doubtful Sound excursion. Te Anau has a range of activity options, fine restaurants, seven days a week shopping and can cater for all levels of accommodation.
The Te Anau Glowworm Cave adventure begins with a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western side of the lake. Upon arrival at Cavern House, friendly guides invite you to accompany them underground in small groups.
As you explore by path and small boat, your senses will be overwhelmed. Observe how the rushing water sculpts the rock formations, before gliding through silent darkness to the glowworm grotto. The delicate incandescence of thousands of tiny glowworms is a magical sight.
Doubtful Sound
Visitors feel humbled yet uplifted by the atmosphere of powerful solitude in the presence of the superb physical grandeur of Doubtful Sound.
Sometimes called the "Sound of Silence", there is a serenity within Doubtful sound that contrasts with Milford Sound. the fiord is rich in fauna and flora, New Zealand fur seals, and Fiordland Crested Penguins can be seen on many of the small islets at the entrance to the fiord.
At 421 metres deep, Doubtful is the deepest of the fiords and is long and winding through 3 distinct arms and several outstasnding waterfalls in the area from Deep cove to the open ocean, a distance of around 40km.
There are many ways to experience Doubtful Sound - by kayak or cruise, as a day trip or on an overnight experience.
Milford Sound
Wet or fine, Milford is incredibly grand. Mitre Peak magnetises photographers, and the fiord’s sheer cliffs excite both admiration and apprehension.
The Maori were the first to attribute the creation of the fiords to a “titanic mason”, Tute Rakiwhanoa who hued out the steep sided valleys with keen edged adzes. No other explanation seems to fit, as it is impossible to comprehend the sheer breadth of geological events that created this seemingly perfect sculpture, as sheer cliffs rise vertically upward from the ocean.
Milford is by far the best known of all of the fiords and the only one that can be accessed by road. It is approximately 16km from the head of the fiord to the open sea, which means visitors can comfortably travel the length of the fiord to open ocean and return on one of the many cruise options available in one and a half to two hours cruising time.
“For thousands of feet upwards the eye looks upon straight cut rocky frontages, not worn smooth by time, or by wind or water, but as sharply defined and as fresh looking in all respects as if riven asunder but yesterday by the stupendous wedges of Titanic Masons.“ James Hingston 1883
The Milford Road
One of the most incredible and frequently overlooked features of Milford Sound is the journey to get there.
The Milford Road is a stunning alpine drive. Visitors need to allow plenty of time to stop at the numerous viewing points or short walking opportunities en route, just to get out of the car and drink in the spectacular scenery and the sheer scale of the landscape. At 119km (approx 74 miles) from Te Anau to Milford Sound, the sealed road takes a minimum of 2 hours driving without allowing for stops. Motorists are advised to fill vehicles with petrol in Te Anau, although supplies are available at Gunns Camp in the Hollyford Valley and at Milford Sound.
Underwater world
Yet another unique feature of the Fiordland environment is life under the fiord. Beneath the water, the mountains continue to plunge down as steep rock walls until they reach the floor of the fiord at depths of 100-450m. Few visitors are aware that below the tide line there exists a fascinating and unique world. A fresh water layer that sits on top of the seawater filters light to allow normally deep water dwelling species to exist very close to the surface. A visit to the Underwater Observatory or a guided dive tour allows access to sights rarely revealed to human visitors.
Lake Manapouri
The “loveliest” of all lakes with its array of 33 small islands, back drop of the majestic Cathedral Mountain range, and native bush clad edges with a variety of sandy beaches and coves.
Nestled next to the shores of Lake Manapouri and the banks of the
Waiau River lies the peaceful township of Manapouri (population 300).
Originally called Roto-au (the rainy lake) by early Maori and then Moturau (many islands), this lake is the second deepest in New Zealand with a circumfrence of 170 km's and deepest point of 444 metres.
Nowadays, Manapouri is known as the departure point for Doubtful Sound excursions and trips to the West Arm Power Station, the largest underground power generation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Manapouri is also popular for its variety of day and overnight walks on the Manapouri Track. This track provides a 4 hr walk on the Circle Track and overnight walks to Hope Arm and Mt Titiroa. A highlight of these walks is that access to the start of the track is across the river. Row boat hire and water taxis are available to transport you over. This track boasts great bird life and stunnings views.
More remote tracks around the Lake include “The Monument”, “Waterfall Walk” at Stockyard Cove, Gorgeburn Falls Track, the Kepler Track, Cone Peak, Percy's Pass, and Dusky Track and all are accessible by Water Taxi. Fishing has always been a popular pastime, both for the experienced fly fisherman or for the inexperienced who would like to catch a fish. Trolling on the lake is a wonderful way to experience the area and enjoy the excitement of 'the catch'. Kayaking on the lake, although weather dependant, is a wonderful way to experience all the remote bays and sandy beaches, the only sounds the song of birds and splash of water. Manapouri provides visitors to the area with a variety of accommodation and with 2 cafe's, a restaurant, a garage and hotel, we have all the amenities for those who enjoy peaceful surroundings. Unhurried and picturesque Manapouri is a visit you will enjoy.
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. The rich gold and rusty reds in autumn, clear frosty nights with fresh snow on the mountains in winter, the colourful blossoming of spring and the long hot summer days.
For outdoor sports enthusiasts there's a wealth of activities from mountain biking to canyoning, golf to kayaking. When the snow falls Lake Wanaka's home to four very different ski areas with something for everybody from powder to terrain parks, cross-country to downhill, along with the largest heli skiing area in Australasia.
It's also a land for relaxing, surrounded by inspirational scenery; a place to enjoy award-winning local wines and fine food and to experience the strong arts and culture influenced by the spectacular setting. A full events calendar means there is always something happening in Lake Wanaka with many international events including Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow, the Festival of Colour arts festival, Race to the Sky car rally and a number of winter and summer sporting events.
For more Fiordland and surrounds go to www.fiordland.org.nz
For more on the Lakes of the go to www.southernlakes.org/fiordland
