Fall under the spell of a landscape carved by glaciers
| In perfect weather Milford Sound is like a mirror, in wet weather it comes alive with waterfalls. |
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The seaward edge of Fiordland National Park is a series of fourteen massive knife
cuts, carved by the glaciers during successive ice ages.
Towering, snow-capped peaks reflect in the midnight blue fingers of ocean that
reach into the park's thickly forested interior, where you can find trees that
are more than 800 years old. For sheer drama, few places of earth can compete
with this remarkable natural environment.
In 1990 Fiordland was listed as a United Nations World Heritage site and given
the name Te Wahipounamu - 'the place of greenstone', after the area's most treasured
mineral resource.
Key Highlights
A fiord is defined as a u-shaped glacier-carved valley which has been flooded
by the sea. The fourteen fiords that fringe the southwest corner of the South
Island were 100,000 years in the making, with the final details added during the
most recent ice age just 10,000 years ago. The Maori attributed the creation of
the fiords to a giant stonemason called Tute Rakiwhanoa, who hued out the steep
sided valleys with his adzes.
On all sides of the fiords, spectacular waterfalls tumble incessantly as the
region's plentiful rainfall finds its way to the sea.
The remaining two thirds of Fiordland National Park are covered by virgin beech
and podocarp forest. A 500 kilometre network of walking tracks allows visitors
to explore the primeval world of mountain peaks, alpine lakes and moss-carpeted
valleys.
Accommodation
In the park
The Department of Conservation provides more than 50 hikers' huts in the park.
'Great Walks' huts are found on the Milford, Kepler and Routeburn tracks, and
these provide a higher-than-usual level of comfort. More basic huts are available
on the other tracks - in most you will find sleeping platforms with mattresses,
toilet facilities and a water supply.
Around the park
A wide range of accommodation can be found in and around the lakeside townships
of Te Anau and Manapouri. At Milford Sound, the only fiord accessible by road,
there is a backpackers' lodge.
Key Activities
The great walks and beyond
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Three of New Zealand's 'Great Walks' can be found in the park. The most famous
(and consequently most crowded) is the Milford Track, which takes five days to
complete. The Kepler Track is a circular route that can be walked in four days
and the Routeburn, which crosses into Mount Aspiring National Park, generally
takes three days. There are many other less famous, but just as spectacular, tracks
to explore.
Sea kayaking and diving
Several of the fiords can be explored by sea kayak, as can lakes Te Anau and
Manapouri. Diving in Fiordland provides a rare chance to see deepwater sea plants
growing near the surface. Local residents include dolphins, fur seals and penguins.
Fiord cruises
Every day scenic flights and coach services deliver visitors to Milford Sound
for scenic cruises. Eco-cruises of the less accessible fiords can be arranged
in Te Anau or Manapouri.
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MEMORY:
Submitted by Meaghan Jones from Australia
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The journey to Milford Sound was just as spectacular as the cruise on the fiord itself – it was the highlight of my NZ journey.
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Read More
Submit a memory ›
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www.newzealand.com Pages
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Other Sites
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FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
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| THE 9 GREAT WALKS OF NEW ZEALAND |
There are no walks on earth quite like the nine Great Walks of New Zealand. Find out which walk is best suited for you and see highlights of other visitor's walking experiences.
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Read More ›
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Seasonal Tips
DURING YOUR VISIT
The busiest time of the year in the park - the Great Walks are bustling with hikers, in spite of frequent downpours. Temperatures can vary hugely - from 33°C during the day to as low as 2°C at night.
Key Tips
- From late October until the end of April, bookings are essential to guarantee hut accommodation on the Great Walks.
- Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. Be prepared.
- Insect repellent is an essential item in this park - the sandflies are legendary.
- If you're not an experienced outdoors person, it is recommended you book a guided walk.
- You can hunt and fish in the park, but permits are required.
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