change

Home 

Choose your country

or

 

National Parks & Marine Reserves

 

 

Fiordland's Marine Reserves

Red coral - click for more.
Red coral, Fiordland's Marine Reserves
More about this image
Fiordland’s has ten marine reserves, spanning from Milford Sound in the north to Preservation Inlet in the south.

The water in Fiordland is as unique as the acclaimed landscape above. Runoff from heavy rainfall on the mountains creates a permanent fresh water layer on the surface of the salt water. This varies in depth from 5 centimetres to over 10 metres.

The reserves include a huge variety of habitats and species. There are sponges, lampshells and a wide range of fish. The area also has some of the world's largest black coral trees – some over 300 years old – which have brittlestars entwined in their branches. The fiords are also home to brachiopods - clam-like animals that have remained relatively unchanged for over 300 million years.

Bottlenose dolphins (aihe), New Zealand fur seals (kekeno), Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki) and little blue penguins (korora) are resident in the fiords.

Scuba diving is the best way to appreciate the submarine wonders of Fiordland, and there are several operators who can take you on a guided scuba expedition. There is also an underwater observatory in Milford Sound, situated in the middle of the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve.
 


 
FIORDLAND Region


Contact Details

Contact: Department of Conservation
Phone:
 3 2497 921
Fax: 3 2497 613
Postal: PO Box 29, Te Anau 9640
Website: www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.
aspx?id=33897
Contact: Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 3 2498 900
Fax: +64 3 2497 022
Postal: PO Box 1 Te Anau
Email:

Send a message



Your Email Address:
Your phone number:
Your message:
 
Send me a copy

Te Anau is the closest town to this highlight.

In Te Anau:

Other towns near Te Anau by road:

Other towns near Te Anau by rail:

Te Anau does not have any rail stations.

Other towns near Te Anau by air:

Te Anau does not have scheduled passenger air services.

Disclaimer
All information available on this web site concerning products and services is provided by the suppliers of those goods and services. Because information is liable to change from time to time you should not rely on the information on this web site but should check the accuracy of the information with the relevant supplier. Tourism New Zealand is not responsible or liable for any claims arising in relation to information supplied to it.

 
Front Row Rugby Club

Front Row Rugby Club Join the Front Row Rugby Club along with Tana Umaga and thousands of others.

New Zealand Videos

New Zealand Videos Browse our collection of videos that showcase what New Zealand has to offer.

Your Words

Your Words Browse personal blogs for straight talking thoughts and opinions about our places, people and adventures.


› Email this page  
› Page top

Tools:

Souvenirs:

Your Experiences:

100% Pure - newzealand.com
Edition: 
Travel:
Our other sites: 

100% Pure New Zealand on: 
The email addresses published on this web page are for conducting communications that promote Tourism in New Zealand, and are not to be used for any other commercial purpose.
Copyright 1999-2009 Tourism New Zealand, the official website of the New Zealand Tourism Board.