The adventure that awaits in Fiordland is in a league of its own. With incredible fiords, multi-day walks, unique accommodation and fascinating wildlife, it’s the ultimate region for outdoor experiences. Fiordland is a part of the UNESCO South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The distinctive natural wonders are some of the best destinations to visit in New Zealand. From Piopiotahi/Milford Sound to the glowworm caves in Te Anau, everything is worth spending time on. Plan the ultimate weekend in Fiordland to discover deep lakes, glacier-carved valleys and clear night skies.
1. Tick off the Great Walks
Time spent in the mighty Fiordland region is time for walks. This part of New Zealand is home to some of the best Great Walks of New Zealand, including the Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Kepler Track. If time is not of the essence, lock in some plans to complete one of these incredible multi-day walks. For the weekend warriors, a taste of these tracks will satiate your curiosity. A day walk on the Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls is a must. Starting in Milford Sound, book a boat transfer to get you to Sandfly Point. From here, it’s a breathtaking 3-hour return hike to Giant Gate Falls – an impressive spot to enjoy lunch. On the Kepler Track, the day walk to Luxmore Hut from the car park is fantastic. The Key Summit Track is a stunning portion of the Routeburn Track that gives you a good dose of world-class scenery. If you’re planning a weekend in Fiordland, be sure to add a piece of the Great Walks to your list.
2. Venture to the fiords
A trip to Fiordland would not be complete without visiting the fiords. Piopiotahi/Milford Sound is the most accessible fiord in the region, being less than a two-hour drive from Te Anau on a well-maintained road. Be blown away by the scale of Mitre Peak, towering out of the deep dark waters at a dramatic angle. A cruise through the fiord is a great way to see the sights, the wildlife and the edge of the Tasman Sea. If you’ve just got time for a drive, a road trip along the Milford Road is, on its own, an otherworldly experience. Patea/Doubtful Sound lies much further south than Milford Sound. Its many arms and sheer scale make this one of best fiords to visit in Fiordland. If you’re planning a weekend in Fiordland, you may need to choose just one of the two fiords to visit. Plans for a return trip will be in the making before you know it.
3. Check out the foodie spots
Explore Te Anau and other destinations in Fiordland through its food. Te Anau is a small town that’s bursting with great dining options. Redcliff Restaurant and Bar is the home of great food, great drinks and sometimes, live music. Classics like The Fat Duck will satisfy any cravings for gastropub fare. Ditto is the place to go for bao buns and Asian fusion goodies. Cafes like Sandfly Cafe and Olive Tree Cafe are perfect cosy spots for brunch or lunch, and keep your eyes peeled for the Sprig and Thistle caravan for coffee on the go. When the night calls for an extra special affair, check out Fiordland Lodge for the ultimate dining experience in one of New Zealand’s top luxury lodges. For an evening tipple, sneak into The Black Dog Bar in the Fiordland Cinema before a nighttime screening.
4. Day walks in Te Anau
Fiordland may be known for the incredible Great Walks of New Zealand on its doorstep, but there are several insanely special short walks in or near Te Anau. These short walks are perfect for a weekend away in Fiordland – see the sights without committing too much time. The one-hour return walk to Dock Bay is a top day walk from Te Anau. Begin at the car park at the start of the Kepler Track and continue to this picturesque bay for a day of swimming, picnic lunches and relaxing. You could continue along the track across Coal Creek Bridge to Brod Bay for another peaceful swimming spot. Strolls along the lakefront in Te Anau can be the ideal way to spend the day, with points of interest like Punanga Manu o Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and the Ivon Wilson Park along the way. Journey down the Milford Road for plenty of memorable short walks too.
If you find yourself in Manapouri for the day, check out the fantastic short walks in the area here.
5. Wildlife
The Punanga Manu o Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is one of the best things to visit in Te Anau. Tucked away in this adventure town is a haven for native birds that you’re unlikely to come across in the wild. Expect to see takahē, kākā and the beautiful whio/blue duck. Enjoy a self-guided tour as one of the free things to do in Te Anau (you’ll find donation boxes on site).
After strolling through the bird sanctuary, embark on a trip to the incredible Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Board a vessel and cruise across Lake Te Anau to get to these majestic caves in the depths of the Murchison Mountains. On this guided tour you explore limestone caverns and head into the glowworm grotto on a small boat. Glowworms decorate the grotto making it a truly memorable sight. Unique birdlife frequent the walking trails and dolphins, fur seals and penguins are often seen in Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. Fiordland is a hub for interesting and endemic wildlife. Any town where you can see rare birds like the flightless takahē just a short walk from the main street lands high up on any nature and wildlife lovers list.
6. Time on the water
Fiordland is teeming with deep lakes and glacier-carved fiords. A trip to this region will be made that much better with time spent exploring these parts. Sneak in a Milford Sound cruise or a Doubtful Sound Day cruise for a taste of the awe-inspiring valleys of chiselled mountains and dark waters. Overnight cruise options are one-of-a-kind experiences that are worth planning for. Lake cruises in Te Anau with Fiordland Historic Cruises and Cruise Te Anau are the perfect way to get a feel for the scale of the mountains and the largest lake in the South Island. Keep the pace slow with kayaking in Milford Sound, or up the ante with jet boating in Te Anau along the Waiau River with Fiordland Jet.
Find more ways to experience Fiordland here.
7. Hit the cycle trails
As soon as you’ve settled into your Te Anau accommodation and found your favourite coffee spot, it’s time to hit the cycle trails. This is one of the great family things to do in Te Anau, with cycle trails that are wide and well-maintained for a cruisy day out. The Upukerora Trail winds along Lake Te Anau from the boat harbour. Enjoy 5km’s of beautiful scenery, a suspension bridge and a cafe stop along the way. For cycling enthusiasts, the Lake 2 Lake trail is 28.5km’s of wide gravel trail that passes through native forest and follows the Waiau River. These cycle trails are an ideal way to see Fiordland and its wild nature. Organise a cycle tour from Te Anau with Bike Fiordland, or hire one of their bikes and explore the trails in your own time.
8. Stay the night
With so many great things to do in Fiordland, you’ll need to stay a while. Top-notch accommodation in Te Anau makes your weekend a breeze. Fiordland Lakeview is conveniently located on the lakefront, just a 10-minute stroll from town. Nearby luxury lodges will make your Fiordland trip one to remember. Fiordland Lodge is less than a 10-minute drive from Te Anau, and the uninterrupted mountain and lake views from your luxury lodge room will have you in awe. Cabot Lodge is the perfect spot to base yourself for adventures in Manapouri. Return to the lodge and indulge in massages, spa facilities and deluxe suits. There’s no place more nestled in the Fiordland mountains than Milford Sound Lodge, right on the edge of the fiord. And for your own private hot tub experience, stay at the beautiful Fiordland Eco Retreat.
This article was created in paid partnership with Fiordland NZ.
