New Zealand Tours
Milford / Te Anau
About Milford
Luxury Accommodation
Activities
The Milford Road
This road is much more than a way to get to Milford Sound - it's an unforgettable journey into the heart of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area.
Some of Fiordland's most striking and significant features are revealed along this route, so be sure to allow enough time to stop for photo opportunities and walks.
The Homer Tunnel signals your descent to Milford Sound. This tunnel, which is hewed from solid granite, took nearly 20 years to complete. Before you reach Milford, get some fresh air on the 20 minute walk that leads to The Chasm - a spectacular waterfall where the Cleddau River has scoured its way through solid rock.
Milford Sound
This settlement exists solely to look after travellers who come to see Milford Sound the fiord. Facilities and services are limited - you’ll find a café and a tavern. Most activity is centred around the wharf, because cruises on Milford Sound are hugely popular (food is available on board). Flightseeing and sea kayaking are two other ways to immerse yourself in the grandeur of huge peaks, waterfalls and sheer rock faces. At the underwater observatory, you can enjoy the unusual scenery than exists below the water. The Milford Track, which begins at the northern end of Lake Te Anau, finishes with a ferry trip from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound wharf.
Fiordland’s Marine Reserves
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.
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.
Te Anau
Perched on the edge of New Zealand’s second largest lake, the township of Te Anau is the main visitor base for Fiordland National Park. At the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre you can make plans to walk the Milford, Routeburn or Kepler Tracks. There are many places to stay, but you’d be wise to book ahead in the busy season. Restaurants are plentiful. Apart from hiking, popular local activities include lake cruising, kayaking and exploring the Te Ana-au glow worm caves. The museum has a collection relevant to both the Maori and European history of the area. There’s also a wildlife park specialising in native birds.
Lake Te Anau
Lake Te Anau is the largest of the southern glacial lakes, covering an area of 344 square kilometres. The main body of the lake runs north-south and three large fiords reach out from its western side - these arms are called North Fiord, Middle Fiord and South Fiord. Rolling hill country characterises the eastern side of the lake; the western side is a magnificent wilderness of forest and mountains - the Kepler and Murchison Ranges rise to around 1700 metres above sea level.
Most of Lake Te Anau is within the boundaries of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Of the two settlements on the shores of the lake, the township of Te Anau is the largest. Here you'll find operators who can take you cruising or kayaking on the lake. You can also visit the Te Ana-au glowworm caves, which are still geologically active.
To see some of the endangered bird species that live in Fiordland, visit the local wildlife centre. Takahe, weka, parakeets, tui, kea, kaka and wood pigeons thrive in this Department of Conservation sanctuary.
About Milford
Luxury Accommodation
Activities
The Milford Road
This road is much more than a way to get to Milford Sound - it's an unforgettable journey into the heart of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area.
Some of Fiordland's most striking and significant features are revealed along this route, so be sure to allow enough time to stop for photo opportunities and walks.
The Homer Tunnel signals your descent to Milford Sound. This tunnel, which is hewed from solid granite, took nearly 20 years to complete. Before you reach Milford, get some fresh air on the 20 minute walk that leads to The Chasm - a spectacular waterfall where the Cleddau River has scoured its way through solid rock.
Milford Sound
This settlement exists solely to look after travellers who come to see Milford Sound the fiord. Facilities and services are limited - you’ll find a café and a tavern. Most activity is centred around the wharf, because cruises on Milford Sound are hugely popular (food is available on board). Flightseeing and sea kayaking are two other ways to immerse yourself in the grandeur of huge peaks, waterfalls and sheer rock faces. At the underwater observatory, you can enjoy the unusual scenery than exists below the water. The Milford Track, which begins at the northern end of Lake Te Anau, finishes with a ferry trip from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound wharf.
Fiordland’s Marine Reserves
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.
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.
Te Anau
Perched on the edge of New Zealand’s second largest lake, the township of Te Anau is the main visitor base for Fiordland National Park. At the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre you can make plans to walk the Milford, Routeburn or Kepler Tracks. There are many places to stay, but you’d be wise to book ahead in the busy season. Restaurants are plentiful. Apart from hiking, popular local activities include lake cruising, kayaking and exploring the Te Ana-au glow worm caves. The museum has a collection relevant to both the Maori and European history of the area. There’s also a wildlife park specialising in native birds.
Lake Te Anau
Lake Te Anau is the largest of the southern glacial lakes, covering an area of 344 square kilometres. The main body of the lake runs north-south and three large fiords reach out from its western side - these arms are called North Fiord, Middle Fiord and South Fiord. Rolling hill country characterises the eastern side of the lake; the western side is a magnificent wilderness of forest and mountains - the Kepler and Murchison Ranges rise to around 1700 metres above sea level.
Most of Lake Te Anau is within the boundaries of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Of the two settlements on the shores of the lake, the township of Te Anau is the largest. Here you'll find operators who can take you cruising or kayaking on the lake. You can also visit the Te Ana-au glowworm caves, which are still geologically active.
To see some of the endangered bird species that live in Fiordland, visit the local wildlife centre. Takahe, weka, parakeets, tui, kea, kaka and wood pigeons thrive in this Department of Conservation sanctuary.
