KEY POINTS:
Where: Fiordland sits in the southwestern-most corner of the South Island. The main town Te Anau is about 2 1/2 hours' drive from Queenstown or Invercargill, and four hours from Dunedin.
Getting there: If you're driving and have the time, probably the most attractive way to get into Fiordland is via the Southern Scenic Route from Dunedin. The road follows the western coast from Dunedin down through the Caitlins to Invercargill and around the southern coast to Orepuki where it cuts back inland, northwest to Manapouri and Te Anau. Non-stop the drive would take eight to nine hours.
What to do: If you're a serious tramper, Fiordland is home to three of New Zealand's most spectacular walks - the Kepler, Routeburn and Milford tracks, known collectively as the Great Walks.
But what else is there to do and see in Fiordland? One of the most unique places to visit is the Milford Deep Underwater Observatory at Milford Sound.
Visitors descend about four-storeys inside the observatory building to the viewing room where they can see all kinds of sealife in its natural habitat, rather than in an aquarium.
Try viewing the spectacular sounds and sheer, stomach-lurching cliff-drops of Fiordland from the air with a scenic flight. But probably the best way to appreciate the scenery of places such as Doubtful and Milford Sounds and the Fiordland lakes is by boat.
There are many operators offering sightseeing tours all over Fiordland.
Whether it's a jetboat ride on Lake Hauroko, an overnight cruise across Doubtful Sound to see dolphins, penguins and seals, or a guided sea-kayak paddle around the sounds or across stunning Lake Manapouri, there's bound to be an activity that takes your fancy.
Or if time is of the essence, you might like to take the 30-minute cruise across Lake Te Anau to the magical glow-worm caves.
Travellers tips: Fiordland weather is very changeable and can be ferocious. Have warm clothes and be ready for rain. Pack an insect repellent as Fiordland is famous for its sandflies.
Links: www.southernscenicroute.co.nz; www.fiordlandnz.com; www.fiordland.org.nz
- Detours, HOS
