The southwest of New Zealand's South Island is dominated by Fiordland National Park.  In this region, which is largely uninhabited by people, plants and wildlife can grow freely and naturally making it one of the world’s great wilderness areas.  Snow-covered mountains, dense forest, glaciers and tussock-covered alpine regions all feature in Fiordland National Park.  Flora and fauna is densely packed into the landscape, with some 700 plant species which are not found anywhere else on the planet.  It is a haven for all keen explorers, trampers and mountaineers. 

Much of the Park is inaccessible by road, but from Te Anau, a small town considered to be the gateway to Fiordland National Park, transport services are available to the start of the major tracks.  You can also take small-plane flights to the centre of the park, or visit the Milford Sounds on the far west of the Park by boat.

Fiordland National Park features some of the country’s greatest walking tracks. The Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s most renowned,  and is often called “the finest walk in the word”.  It’s a 54km walk through beautiful unspoiled beech forests and glaciated valleys.  It is usually undertaken in four days. Transport to the start of the Milford Track is available from Te Anau.  A bus will take you to Lake Te Anau, then you catch a boat across the lake from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf .  On the return journey, you’ll have to catch another boat from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound.  Trampers are only permitted to walk the track in one direction – from Glade Wharf to Sandfly Point, to minimise environmental impact.  The weather in the region is very changeable, so you’ll need to bring wet weather gear, even in summer.  Camping is not allowed on the Milford Track, and only 40 trampers are permitted to start the track each day so ensure that you book your place well in advance.  The track is very popular and gets booked out quickly, especially in high season..

The Kepler and Routeburn Tracks are excellent alternatives to the often fully booked Milford Track.  The Routeburn Track crosses the boundary from Fiordland National Park to Mt Aspiring National Park.  It closely follows a geological fault zone, giving a fascinating contrast of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.  It is only open for walking during the summer season – outside this time, snowfall and avalanche danger make it too hazardous to attempt.  During the summer, however, it is a beautiful and peaceful tramp, traversing the alpine region between Lake Wakatipu and the Milford Sounds.  The Routeburn is a three-day/two-night walk with basic huts along the way.  Camping is permitted within the hut area should the bunks be full.  It is a relatively easy walk, with a mostly well-defined track, so you don’t need too many navigational skills.  Transport is available to the start of the Routeburn track from Queenstown, the nearest town.  Queenstown is well-equipped to cater to tourists and trampers, and you will easily be able to obtain any necessary supplies there.

The Kepler Track has the benefit of being circular – you arrive back at the same place you left.  It’s one of the Park’s newer tracks, having only been established in 1988.  It traverses some steep alpine areas, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.  AT 67km, it takes 3-4 days to complete the track.  Like the other tracks in the Fiordland region, weather on the Kepler is unpredictable and wet weather gear is necessary throughout the year.  The summer months are the best times to undertake the Kepler track, as ice and snowfall makes some of the tracks treacherous during other times of the year.

All hut passes on these tracks must be purchased before embarking on the tramps.  These can be obtained at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre on Lakefront Drive in Te Anau.

If tramping doesn’t interest you, there are plenty of other activities to try in the Fiordland National Park.  One of the most magical experiences available is boating in the stunning Milford Sounds.  Several companies offer a variety of different options for exploring the sounds from the water – from chartered yachts to sea kayaks.  You can simply take a sight-seeing tour, or take in some fishing.  For a real adventure, try diving in the sounds.  Discover the unique underwater life in the calm waters of the Milford Sounds.  More information about these activities can be obtained from:
The Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
Department of Conservation
Lakefront Drive
PO Box 29, Te Anau
New Zealand.
JC