Things to do in Fiordland National Park

Top Things to Do in Fiordland National Park

Things to Do in Fiordland National Park


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Fiordland National Park.


Top Attractions in Fiordland National Park

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
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What travellers are saying

  • orchidpat
    Merritt Island, FL198 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stayed in Te Anau, so we just went to the cruise center on the lake and bought our tickets there the day before we went to Milford Sound. We were there around Nov. 8th, so it wasn't summer crowded yet. The trip from Te Anau was a pleasant drive of about two hours, because we decided not to stop on the way to Milford. We arrived before any buses from Queenstown arrived and were on the 10am boat. Parking payment was a bit confusing, but just keep walking through the parking lot to find a payment station. The day was perfect with not a cloud in the sky and everyone on the cruise commented on how unusual that was. We sat on the upper deck as most did, but there was plenty of room on all of the decks. The commentary was informative and food and drink could be ordered on the other decks, if desired. The fiord is breathtaking as are the sheer rock walls and waterfalls. When we arrived back at the dock, the cruise terminal was jam packed with people. After the cruise we did some hiking in the Milford Sound area and then stopped at about eight different sites along Milford Highway on the way back to Te Anau to hike a bit and see some keas near the tunnel. Mirror Lakes has a nice raised walkway to view the reflection. The drive was easy and beautiful from Te Anau, which is a delightful town with some great restaurants. Start early to avoid bus traffic.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael C
    Derby, UK2,011 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In our opinion, this fiord is even more beautiful than those in Norway. We saw some absolutely stunning mountain scenery plus lots of wildlife. We saw penguins and also watched bottle-nose dolphins. This place is just so magical and wonderful. In addition, the total solitude makes it so peaceful.
    Written 13 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jimena V
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do. So worth going on this tour.
    Great cruise to the caves with spectacular views. And the caves are just beautiful. Glow worms are so fascinating
    Great and informative guides.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • need2trvl
    Miamisburg, OH471 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the most beautiful and unspoiled places we have ever visited. Just Magnificent. We did this via cruise ship. We visit Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sound. We saw a number of bottlenose dolphins. The naturalist on board said this is the most farthest south that bottled nose dolphins can be found in the world. The only way to see this national Park is usually by plane or by boat. Weather can change quickly as we saw during our day. We entered the sound with rain. It made for a beautiful waterfalls that were so numerous I couldn't even keep the count. We saw seals. All kinds of birds. Including a couple of penguins. It was the highlight of our New Zealand trip.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AndyAquila
    Lyme Regis, UK599 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful place, as are many of the lakes and fiords in the area. Walking along the coast path near Te Anau was very restful and allowed plenty of time to appreciate the amazing geography and geology of the area. The Southern Alps are incredible.
    Written 4 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Xin Wen
    World4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is my first multi day hike, and it was the best experience in my life! I doing it by myself, but i didn't find any difficulty of doing this, caused the other walkers are all helpful and kind to offer some help. So, for those who planning to go solo, you can give yourself a try!

    First day was just easy walk, from Glade Whaft to Clinton Hut is just 5km with approximately 1.5hrs. if you're taking the earliest transfer which is 7am from Queenstown, you will be arriving at Glade Whaft by 11.30am, and with 1.5hrs walk, you will be able to reach Clinton Hut by 1pm. There's plenty of time for you to rest until 4.15pm, there's a nature walk session which is some basic introduction of wildlife by the ranger. It takes approximately 1 hours. After that, you will be having dinner cooking time, and until 7.30pm you will have to attend the "Hut Talk" which talking about the track, like weather, safety issue and more, it takes 30mins.

    The hut and kitchen is quite warm, I even wearing short pants and t shirt and don't feel any cold, but please don't learn from me, caused there's lots of sandflies surrounded, better to wear long pants and long sleeve shirt! Clinton Hut is well facilities with cooking stoves, but you have to bring you own pot! Remember to boil your water before consume! No dish detergent in the kitchen for this hut. There's flushable toilets with short walk from the hut. There's board game in the kitchen for you to spend some time.

    Second day will be a challenging day, because you have a long way to go! We start our journey at 7am, and it takes us 6 hours to reach the Mintaro Hut. There's some lakes at the middle of the track you can stop for some snacks, and 2 toilets. The road are flat, so consider easy walk.

    Mintaro Hut is the New Hut, and it is the only hut that you can charge your device, but limited! You have to takes turn. There's dish detergent in the kitchen! And plenty of stove compared to Clinton Hut. There's four rooms you can choose!

    We arrived Mintaro Hut at 1.30pm, but because the weather forecast might be bad the next day, so we are suggested by the ranger to walk for another 3 hours return to the memorial park and see the summit. It was tough!

    7.30pm the ranger will be here in the hut to do the headcount and some introduction of the hut and talk about the weather forecast for tomorrow and advice for the starting time for the next day. If you have any questions feel free to ask the ranger, they're knowledgeable.

    Third day we start at 7am, the road was quite stepped. But there's 3 shelters for you to rest. The MacKinnon pass shelter is considered the best shelter among the track. There's even stove inside, and a toilet. It takes 2.5 hours to reach this shelter. After 1.5hrs walk, you will see some waterfall, is amazing! And 30mins walk to another shelter called Anderson cascade shelter, there's a toilet here too. Another 1 hour you will reach the day shelter, there's hot water, coffee and tea provided here. You can leave your backpack here before you start the sidewalk to Sutherland Falls. It takes only 1.5 hours return. It is the highest waterfall in New Zealand! After you finish the Sutherland Falls sidewalk, continue for 1 hour to reach the dumpling hut.

    Dumpling hut is the most Sandflies compared with the previous two huts. Plenty of stove and dish detergent in the kitchen. There's 4 rooms and short distance walk to kitchen and toilet from the room. 7.30pm ranger talk like usual.

    Fourth day, we start at 7am. It stated to be finished the track with 6 hours but we finished with 4.5hours. is quite easy walk compared to yesterday. But there's only 1 shelter today, and it takes 3 hours to reach. There's toilet here. Once you reach the shelter, you only left 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the sandfly point! There's toilet and shelter for you to stay if you reach early before the boat coming. The fourth day will be a bit rushing caused you have to make sure you can catch the boat. Our boat is 1.30pm.

    Overall this is really amazing track and with beautiful view and plenty of toilet and shelter point. But I find out not really well marked and signal for the first and second day, so better to download the offline map. But mostly there's just one way to walk. No much issue on it.

    I bring 4 sets of clothes, but actually too much, I saw the other walkers just wearing the same cloth everyday. Might just need an extra set of clothes to replace for the wet cloth. Waterproof jacket and pants needed. Swimsuit needed for you to shower at the river.
    Written 5 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 123Alison456
    Cromwell, New Zealand16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely incredible trip 3 nights and 4 days. The weather made it challenging with 75-85km winds and rain that stung from Luxmore Hut to Irisburn but it added to the trip. You just have to be prepared for all weather.
    Loved every second of it and would do it again
    Written 7 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • VPVK
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! The boat ride was informative and fun! Worth the money to get out on the sound. We were lucky to get a beautiful day as it is in a rainforest. If you are willing to risk not getting a boat, they discount the late afternoon cruises on the day of. The hikes were beautiful and mirror lakes are unique and lovely! I strongly recommend seeing it at least once in your life! There is free parking if you are willing to walk about 20 minutes through a pretty forested pathway. Bring insect repellent for the sand flies if you choose to hike.
    Written 3 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul B
    Chesterfield, UK1,662 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A short stroll from the main highway these Mirror Lakes are certainly worth a brief stop while you are on your way to or from Milford Sound. The reflections are excellent
    Written 15 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AJ
    San Francisco, CA72 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning. Incredible. One of my top hikes from a month long trip. We magically caught a clear afternoon and oh that view from the top, wow. This is such a fun hike. Waterfalls, flowers, views, snow! We enjoyed scrambling up the rocks and trekking up to the snow. The track is well marked with the orange marker posts and we found it easy to follow. A good challenge with a worth the efforts view -both at the top and along the way. Would be tricky and potentially unsafe in the rain/wet with the slick and steep rocks. We saw a good amount of people on the trail. The lot was full when we arrived. But it never felt too crowded and you had space to enjoy and go your pace.
    Written 29 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AJ
    San Francisco, CA72 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous! We went in late November. We caught a magic sunny day in the area. This track is a fun adventure. The first section is more traditional trail. Mostly flat. There is a lovely section of river cascades that you could stop at for a shorter walk. We saw many doing so. The track turns into more rock scramble and adventure from there. It was muddy in sections-shoes with some waterproofing or resistance are great for this. We enjoyed climbing the rocks. And it’s a beautiful forest walk. The lake is lovely. Give yourself time to take it in and enjoy. Just a note: there is not a sign along the road that say Lake Marian. It is the signs for Hollyford Road that you want to take note of. Just after the divide/Key Summit parking area if going in towards Milford.
    Written 29 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • crusty582016
    Buckinghamshire, UK29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I wanted to get under the skin of New Zealand away from the tourist spots. This experience delivered in spade fulls. The 2 guides were brilliant, both good talkers and story tellers and knew their subject inside out. They kept the group together and nothing was too much to ask. The 2 overnight stays at the lodges were excellent with excellent food and a chance to unwind with a beer and chat to new friends. The group members also made it it special, a really good bunch. If you want a good walk (or 3 ) in good company then this is it. A thoroughly enjoyable time in beautiful settings, good company and great staff. Thank you!
    Written 23 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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