Fiordland National Park

A world carved by water and time where waterfalls plunge from sheer cliffs and ancient rainforest clings to mist-draped mountains.

Overview
Fiordland is New Zealand at its most dramatic. Located in the southwest corner of the South Island, this vast and remote wilderness is home to glacier-carved fiords, towering peaks, mirror-like lakes and moss-draped forests. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s a place where nature reigns supreme—untamed, raw and breathtakingly beautiful. Whether cruising Milford or Doubtful Sound, hiking the famous Great Walks, or simply standing in the silence, Fiordland offers a sense of wonder that few places on Earth can match.

See and Do

The local favourite
Milford Sound is the most accessible—and arguably most iconic—of the fiords. Cruise beneath vertical cliffs and past the thundering Stirling and Bowen Falls, keeping watch for dolphins, seals, and penguins. The journey there is just as memorable, with the Milford Road passing through alpine meadows, mirror lakes, and the dramatic Homer Tunnel. While day trips are popular, staying overnight allows you to experience the stillness and starlight after the crowds depart—an unforgettable, almost spiritual encounter with nature.

A scene of pure natural beauty
Doubtful Sound is Milford’s quieter, wilder sibling—more remote, more vast, and more mysterious. Reached by a boat ride across Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass, the journey itself sets the tone. Once there, you’ll find deep still waters, lush rainforest, and sheer cliffs rising into the mist. Known for its eerie silence and haunting beauty, Doubtful Sound is a refuge for rare wildlife and a place to feel utterly removed from the world.

Adventures in nature
Fiordland is a walker’s paradise. The Kepler Track offers sweeping alpine views and ridgeline hikes; the Routeburn Track connects Fiordland to Mt Aspiring National Park through valleys and waterfalls; and the Milford Track, often called the “finest walk in the world,” traces glacier-fed rivers to the heart of Milford Sound. Helicopter and scenic flights provide a bird’s-eye view of inaccessible peaks and waterfalls. Or explore the area by kayak for a quiet, immersive experience on the water.