In a country that offers breathtaking scenery wherever you go, New Zealand’s Fiordland still manages to stand out.
Dominated by the steep slopes of the Southern Alps, it takes its name from the deep lakes and ocean-flooded valleys that resemble the fjords of Scandinavia.
This largely uninhabited region in the southwest corner of South Island is ripe for exploration.
The fiords themselves are mostly called ‘sounds’ and they teem with life.
Fiordland National Park is a World Heritage Site and includes Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. Milford Sound, once dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling, is the best known.
Here, cliffs rise from the deep to thousands of metres above. Whether you are on a boat or in a kayak, don’t be surprised to see bottlenose dolphins cavorting alongside you, and seals lazing on the rocks.
Little blue and Fiordland crested penguins are often seen in the breeding season (July to November), while majestic sea birds such as the fabled albatross can be encountered.
Whale sightings in the Milford Sound are on the increase. It’s possible to see southern right whales and minke whales. You may even be treated to the world’s most dramatic back flip from a humpback whale.
The mountains and rainforest surrounding Milford Sound are perfect for hiking, and you’ll frequently stumble across Alpine waterfalls cascading hundreds of metres into the abyss.
You may even be treated to the world’s most dramatic back flip from a humpback whale
Even among the giants there must be a king, and around Milford Sound it is Mitre Peak. This iconic 1,692-metre mountain is one of New Zealand’s most photographed sites. Rising steeply from the Sound to its closely grouped set of five peaks, the camera loves it.
This is not a mountain to take lightly, lest you want to end up in Times of Malta explaining why you had to be rescued. Tackling it requires detailed planning, clear weather, a support crew to bring you to the other side of the Sound and a significant level of physical fitness.
Milford Sound is approximately 16km from the head to the open sea, and many visitors arrive on a cruise or boat excursion. But if you arrive by car or coach, you’ll be treated to one of the world’s finest drives along the Milford Road.It’s 116km from Te Anau to the Sound, but you’ll want to leave plenty of time for stopping at the many view points and gaping at the stunning sentinel peaks around you.
Dusky and Doubtful Sounds offer similarly dramatic scenery but they have their own unique appeal.
Doubtful Sound is more remote – if you are not on a cruise you must travel by boat over Lake Manapouri and then by bus over Wilmot Pass. As a result, it receives much less visitors than Milford Sound and remains relatively untouched.
It is also three times longer than Milford Sound and 10 times larger, meaning the attractions are more spread out but no less impressive.
Dusky Sound is perhaps even more remote, making for the perfect wilderness experience.
Climb in a kayak at the right time of year and you will most likely be blessed with sightings of whales, dolphins, penguins and rare birds.
If you find yourself in need of a dose of civilisation, head to Queenstown, which bills itself as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier four seasons lake and Alpine resort.
Situated on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is around a two-hour drive from Te Anau and offers all the luxuries of the best European Alpine resorts, but with a more laid-back feel.