Luxury Milford Sound and Fiordland
National Park Tours made for you
Start PlanningSpectacular fjords and alpine peaks
With the snowy-peaked Southern Alps sloping down into deep blue waters and lushly forested shores bursting with wildlife, the spectacular Fiordland National Park area in the south-western corner of the South Island is known for its stunning vistas.
The star of the show, is undoubtedly Milford Sound, with its spectacular 1692m-high Mitre Peak (Rahotu in Maori). However, no photograph quite does justice to this majestic range of peaks or conveys the stillness and grandeur of the surrounding national park. Cruise, paddle or sail its untouched flooded valleys, or take to the well-marked trails by foot or bicycle where you can connect with this truly magical corner of the world.
While Milford Sound is the most well-known of the 12 major fiords on the west coast, the larger Doubtful Sound is also a highlight. It is only accessible via a boat trip over Lake Manapouri and then a trip across Wilmot Pass, but it’s well worth the journey, as the surrounding slopes are covered in lush rainforests and the fjord itself is home to bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins and even Southern right and humpback whales.
One of the larger towns in the region, Te Anau, is set on the eastern shore of the largest lake in the South Island. It’s the ideal place from which to explore the national park, or set out on popular hiking trails like the Milford Track which takes you past Giant Gate waterfall, and the Kepler Track which offers you a unique look at the area’s native fauna and flora. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy water sports like kayaking, jet boat riding and fishing on Lake Te Anau itself.
Head into the neighbouring Mt Inspiring National Park and you’ll be able to embark on the Routeburn Track, rated among the world’s top classic hikes. The hike takes you along the Routeburn River gorge and through magical forests that date back 130 million years.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
See the Southern Alps from the water
Seeing the snowy-peaked Southern Alps from the water
Watch wildlife in Fiordland
Spotting the incredible wildlife that call the Fiordland National Park area home
Tackle a world-class hike
Embarking on a world-class hike
A word from one of our experts
I thoroughly recommend staying in Te Anau for a few days as this gives you access to not just Milford Sound but the much larger and lesser-visited Doubtful Sound. Staying overnight on a boat gives you an even more intimate experience once everyone else has gone home.
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in the Fiordland National Park area
There are many incredible places to stay in New Zealand. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
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Trip Inspiration
Get inspired with our New Zealand example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Whatever you want from your New Zealand tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
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Meet your Australasia team
When to visit
Fiordland National Park is a year-round destination, however there will be snow in the winter months of June to August.
Snow
June - August
Plan your trip to New Zealand
Whatever you want from your adventure in New Zealand, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
