fiordland wilderness escape

Nestled in picture postcard fashion on the shores of the Lake Wakatipu, and with a reputation as the adrenalin capital of the Southern Hemisphere, Queenstown is a sophisticated resort destination like no other.

The gateway to the Fiordland National Park, the town is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, fiords, backcountry fly fishing rivers, Lord of the Rings film scenes, deserted gold mining settlements and a host of exciting tour options. 

The southwestern corner of New Zealand’s South Island presents a picture of incredible contrasts – the snow-capped Southern Alps towering over massive, deep lakes, and ocean flooded valleys, it’s breathtaking. Of the 14 fiords that dramatically carve into 215km of coastline, Milford Sound is the most accessible and popular, with the more remote Doubtful Sound offering a wealth of marine life.

Take a boat charter or cruise, helicopter flip, or one of the many walking trails in the area. Lake Te Anau offers the perfect base for your exploration of this acclaimed World Heritage Site, and if it’s a family holiday, the kids will love the Discovery Centre underwater observatory and glowworm caves.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake, this picturesque town is the gateway to the spectacular wilderness of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Surrounded by towering mountains, ancient rainforests and pristine waterways, Te Anau offers a wonderful blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Explore the renowned Milford, Kepler and Routeburn Great Walks, enjoy scenic lake cruises, kayaking and trout fishing, or discover the magical underground world of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Visit the Punanga Manu o Te Anau bird sanctuary to encounter some of New Zealand’s remarkable native birds, including the rare takahē. With its peaceful lakeside setting and extraordinary surrounding landscapes, Te Anau is an ideal base for exploring Fiordland.

Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most well-known tourist destination, is not really a sound at all but a fjord as it was created by a succession of glaciers which carved through the rocks as they gouged a track to the sea leaving in their wake the impressive rock formations visible today. Home to some diverse and particularly unusual wildlife including fur seals and crested penguins, as well as bottlenose and dusky dolphins, this geographical gem is a must-see for nature lovers. With the striking Mitre Peak towering over head, sheer rocky cliffs rise vertically out of the calm dark waters while nearby, the waters of the exquisite Bowen Falls plunge down a 520-foot drop before crashing dramatically into the fjord below. With its remarkable geographical setting and its unbelievable abundance of wildlife, it is easy to see why writer Rudyard Kipling once called Milford Sound the “eighth natural wonder of the world.”

Nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake, this picturesque town is the gateway to the spectacular wilderness of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Surrounded by towering mountains, ancient rainforests and pristine waterways, Te Anau offers a wonderful blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Explore the renowned Milford, Kepler and Routeburn Great Walks, enjoy scenic lake cruises, kayaking and trout fishing, or discover the magical underground world of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Visit the Punanga Manu o Te Anau bird sanctuary to encounter some of New Zealand’s remarkable native birds, including the rare takahē. With its peaceful lakeside setting and extraordinary surrounding landscapes, Te Anau is an ideal base for exploring Fiordland.