After saying goodbye to beautiful Queenstown, we made our way to Te Anau — a small, quiet town that became our base for exploring Fiordland National Park.
Fiordland is probably New Zealand’s most famous national park, and it totally lives up to the hype. The stunning fjords, dramatic cliffs, and wild Southern Ocean views are just next level.
There’s a lot you can do around Milford Sound, but whatever you’re planning — book it ahead of time. Seriously. This was easily the busiest spot we visited in New Zealand, and it’s not hard to see why.
If you’re into hiking, the Milford Track is world-famous (and for good reason). If hiking’s not your thing (no judgment — but hey, it is New Zealand!), you can still soak up the scenery with a cruise.
Fiordland is super protected, which means a lot of it is pure, untouched wilderness. It also means it’s a bit trickier to get around and stay overnight inside the park — that’s why most people, including us, choose to stay in Te Anau.
Te Anau itself isn’t anything special— just a small, chill town — but it’s the perfect launchpad for some serious nature adventures.
How to Get to Te Anau
Te Anau is just a 2-hour drive from Queenstown, making it a really easy and beautiful trip — perfect for a few coffee and photo stops along the way. Here are a few places we recommend checking out during your drive:
☕ The Coffee Bomb
A tiny food truck in Garston serving amazing homemade bites. Super casual, super delicious — definitely worth pulling over for!
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📸 Devil’s Staircase Lookout
One of those classic New Zealand roadside stops where you just have to get out and snap a few pics. Gorgeous views of Lake Wakatipu!
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☕ Roasted x Toasted by ROAR COFFEE
If you’re serious about your coffee (like we are), don’t miss this spot. One of the best brews we had on the South Island!
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Where to Stay in Te Anau
During our time in Te Anau, we stayed at Annie’s on Milford, and honestly, we really enjoyed it. The apartment was super spacious, well-equipped, and had everything you might need for a short stay.
It’s set just a little outside the town center, but it’s only a few minutes’ walk, so it’s still super convenient — no car needed once you’re there!
What to Do in Te Anau and Milford Sound
1. Milford Track
If you’re visiting Milford Sound, the Milford Track is the ultimate adventure — if you can get a spot! It’s often called one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, and once you see it for yourself, you’ll understand why.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re thinking about hiking it:
How Long Is the Milford Track?
When Is the Best Time to Hike?
Fitness Level
How to Book the Track
To hike the Milford Track, you must book your hut stays through New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC): DOC Great Walk Bookings.
Bookings open once a year, usually at the end of May. As soon as bookings open, they sell out within minutes!
Here’s the strategy:
- Check the DOC website for the release date.
- Be logged in and ready to book by 9:30 AM New Zealand time.
- If you miss out, hang around — about 30 minutes later, some unpaid reservations are released back into the system.
If you don’t manage to secure a spot, there’s still hope! You can book a guided hike with Ultimate Hikes. They operate their own private huts, offering a more comfortable (though pricier) experience.
2. Milford Sound Cruise
If you didn’t manage to book a spot on the Milford Track — don’t worry. You can still experience the magic of this incredible place with a Milford Sound cruise.
There are several tour operators offering cruises on different types of boats. We chose a smaller boat, hoping it would get us closer to the cliffs and waterfalls. Turns out, new regulations now limit how close any boat can actually get to the fjords — so boat size doesn’t matter as much as it used to.
That said, we really enjoyed our experience and would definitely recommend the company we went with: Cruise Milford NZ. The captain had a fantastic sense of humor and made the whole experience even more memorable.
One unexpected perk of choosing a smaller vessel? You can take great photos of the bigger, fancier cruise ships — something you can’t do if you’re on one of them. 😉
3. Kepler Track
Another incredible hike in Fiordland National Park is the Kepler Track — a 60 km loop that takes 3–4 days to complete. It’s one of New Zealand’s official Great Walks and offers stunning alpine views, beech forests, and lake scenery.
Just like the Milford Track, you’ll need to book your accommodation in advance. There are three DOC huts and two campsites along the way, and reservations are essential during the Great Walk season.
Now, we didn’t have time to do the whole thing, but we still wanted a taste of it. So we decided to hike just the section from the Kepler Car Park to Luxmore Hut. If you’re doing it all on foot, give yourself 8 to 10 hours round-trip — it’s a full-on day.
But here’s what we actually did — and it was awesome.
We booked a heli hike with Te Anau Helicopters. They fly you up over the national park and drop you near Luxmore Hut. The flight is short (about 15 minutes), but the views from above are amazing — lakes, mountains, forests… all of it. From there, you hike back down to the car park, which makes it a super scenic downhill walk most of the way.
Honestly, it was the perfect way to squeeze in one of New Zealand’s Great Walks without spending days on the trail.
4. Routeburn Track
Fiordland National Park is home to not one, not two, but three of New Zealand’s Great Walks — and the third one worth mentioning here is the Routeburn Track.
This trail is about 33 km long and typically takes 2 to 3 days to complete. It’s known for its dramatic alpine scenery, lush forests, and stunning views — especially from the Harris Saddle.
There are three huts and two campsites along the route, and just like with the other Great Walks, you’ll need to book everything in advance through the DOC website, especially if you’re planning to walk during the main hiking season.
5. Te Anau Glowworm Caves Tour
One evening, with not much going on in Te Anau itself, we decided to join a glowworm cave tour — and honestly, it was such a magical experience.
The caves are home to thousands of tiny glowworms that light up the darkness like a sky full of stars. It’s one of those things that photos just can’t capture — especially because photography isn’t allowed inside — but trust us, it’s absolutely worth seeing with your own eyes.
The cave itself is impressive too, with underground rivers, waterfalls, and narrow passages that add to the adventure. The highlight? A peaceful boat ride through a pitch-black section of the cave, where the only light comes from the glowing worms overhead. It was one of those quiet, awe-inspiring moments that really sticks with you.
You can book the tour through RealNZ here.
6. The Drive to Milford Sound
The road to Milford Sound is honestly one of the most scenic drives we’ve ever done. Even if Milford Sound wasn’t your destination, the journey alone would be worth it. Towering mountains, reflective lakes, lush rainforests — it’s the kind of route that makes you want to stop every five minutes to soak it all in (and trust us, most people do!).
Tip: If you’re on a schedule or heading to a cruise, try to start your day early, as the road gets busy and everyone drives slowly — partly due to the scenery and partly because of all the scenic stops.
Here are some of the best places to pull over and enjoy along the way:
1. Mirror Lakes
A short, easy boardwalk takes you to these small lakes that — on a clear day — perfectly reflect the surrounding mountains.
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2. Lake Gunn Viewpoint
Another peaceful lake offering great photo ops if the water is still.
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3. Key Summit Track
If you have a few hours to spare, this hike is absolutely worth it. You’ll get incredible views across Fiordland. It’s about a 2.5–3 hour return walk, and we’d recommend doing it after your cruise, when the trail is less crowded.
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4. Pop’s View Lookout
One of many beautiful roadside lookouts.
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5. Hollyford Valley Lookout
Just a stone’s throw from Pop’s View — still worth a quick stop.
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6. Lake Marian Track
Another amazing hike, though more challenging. Plan for about 3 hours return to reach the alpine lake.
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7. Christie Falls
A lovely waterfall you can spot right from the road.
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8. Monkey Creek
A picturesque creek where you might even spot a cheeky kea (New Zealand’s alpine parrot).
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9. Cleddau Valley & Roadside Waterfalls
On a rainy day, this area comes alive with dozens of waterfalls tumbling down the cliffs — it’s breathtaking.
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10. Homer Tunnel
This dramatic one-way tunnel carves through the mountains and opens up to even more stunning scenery. Don’t forget to look around the parking area — waterfalls galore!
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11. Milford Valley Lookout
Right after the Homer Tunnel, the views just get better and better.
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12. Hundred Falls
Our personal favorite. We were lucky to visit on a sunny day, and even then, the landscape was incredible — we can only imagine how epic it is when it rains.
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13. The Chasm
A short, easy 20-minute walk takes you to a powerful, swirling waterfall cutting through the rocks.
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14. Tutoko River Bridge
One more scenic bridge worth a quick stop — the views of the river are beautiful.
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Even if you don’t have time to stop at every one of these, you’re bound to be blown away by the drive. It’s all part of what makes visiting Milford Sound such a special experience.
Conclusion
Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand’s crown jewels.
It’s the country’s most iconic national park — and for good reason. Home to three of New Zealand’s legendary Great Walks, dramatic fjords, and untouched native forest, the landscapes here are nothing short of spectacular.
Milford Sound, in particular, is truly one of a kind — a place where towering cliffs meet cascading waterfalls and misty rainforests, creating a scene you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.
If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, visiting Fiordland National Park isn’t just a recommendation — it’s a must.
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