Fiordland is New Zealand’s largest national park at almost 3 million acres. It covers much of the southern part of the South Island’s West Coast.
The Sounds in Fiordland are arguably the most beautiful places in New Zealand, and that’s saying something! Wildlife, waterfalls, unforested valleys, crystal clear lakes, and elegant mountains are what make up the views, and the only signs of human inhabitation are the tracks running deep into the bush, and the cruises down the sounds.

Milford Sound
Milford Sound is truly breathtaking. So much that it often attracts the title of “The Eighth Natural Wonder of the World”. Fiordland is one of the wettest places in the world, and is as beautiful raining as it is with clear skies. When it rains, waterfalls spring up anywhere, too many to count.
Cruise ships going into Milford Sound can take you right underneath massive waterfalls, and the whole 16km to the end of the sound, where you meet the vast, angry Tasman Sea.

Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound is the second longest in Fiordland at 40km long. On a cruise down Doubtful Sound you will experience more shades of lush green than you knew existed, while you drift over 420 meter deep water.
In both Milford and Doubtful Sounds, you will experience a host of wildlife; seals and crested penguins gather on the shores, and sometimes bottlenosed dolphins can be sighted playfully swimming along side the boat.

Te Anau
Te Anau is the centrepiece town of Fiordland, is the starting point for famous southern walking tracks the Milford, Kepler, and Hollyford tracks. Located on the shores of Lake Te Anau, with full view of snowy mountains, the scenery makes the town a relaxing destination.
Take a short cruise to see the unique glow worm caves, the only freely changing ones in the world. This is the best place to base yourself while exploring the sounds.

Next I will take you to Auckland.