Te Rua-o-te-Moko / Fiordland

Fiordland mapIt’s called Beyond Belief Fiordland for a reason. Because it is almost impossible to describe the feeling you get when you visit Te Rua-o-te-Moko Fiordland. No matter how often people tell you of Fiordland National Park’s untouched beauty, it will never compare to the feeling you get when you arrive here. 

It is a place of extraordinary scenic beauty. One of New Zealand’s key tourism drawcards, this rugged and remote region offers awe-inspiring landscapes and a wide range of recreational activities. It’s a world-class sightseeing destination and a must-do for anyone exploring New Zealand.

Piopiotahi Milford Sound is the jewel in Fiordland’s crown and has been attracting international visitors for over 100 years. The attractive lakeside town of Te Anau boasts a wide range of activities on or off the water, fine dining restaurants and luxury accommodation. The peaceful township Manapōuri lies on the eastern shores of Lake Manapōuri and is the base for discovering Pātea Doubtful SoundDoubtful Sound is sometimes called “the sound of silence”. It is the deepest of the Fiordland fiords at 421 metres and has several waterfalls.  

Take a cruise and discover a fiord at the southwest corner of Aotearoa, New Zealand, at Tamatea Dusky Sound. There will be more than 350 islands to pass through, and that would offer idyllic spots for mooring and trips ashore.

Numerous short walks and multi-day hiking trails, including three New Zealand Great Walks (the MilfordRouteburn, and Kepler Tracks), have earned Fiordland the reputation of one of the world’s finest walking destinations. We even have a Hike Fiordland Passport to guide you to some of the best day walks, experiencing a taste of the Great Walks nearby. Stay a week and complete them all, or tick off a few more with each visit.

Alternatively, a wide range of boat cruises offer a leisurely way to experience the fantastic landscapes.

Explore Visit Fiordland to find out more about Fiordland.

Discover

Fiordland

You won't want to miss...

When planning your trip to Fiordland, make sure you check out these iconic and unmissable events!

Hike Fiordland cover
Lisa Nicole

Hike Fiordland

Base yourself in Te Anau and use the Hike Fiordland Passport to guide you to some of the best day walks, experiencing a taste of the Great Walks nearby. Stay a week and complete them all, or tick off a few more with each visit.

Fiordland Townships

Marakura Wharf Te Anau
Richard Young

Te Anau

The serene, picturesque Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and second largest in New Zealand, with the spectacular Mt Luxmore and Murchison mountains providing an awe-inspiring backdrop. Nestled on the lake’s edge is…

Aerial view of Manapouri
Videocopter

Manapouri

Manapouri is an idyllic, quiet town situated on the pristine shore of Lake Manapouri and edge of Fiordland National Park. The town is a feast for the eyes with the picturesque lake, beautiful beaches and dramatic Fiordland ranges. It's…

Southland

Fiordland Stories

Fiordland Roadtrips

crosshair icon View All Southland Roadtrips

Romantic getaway in Fiordland

5 Days

Anytime

A romantic getaway amongst some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on the planet. Discover the perfect Fiordland itinerary for an indulgent getaway or weekend escape.

Takitimu Mountains - Southland, New Zealand
Jeremy Pierce

From Farms to Fiords

1-3 Days

325 km

Spring/Summer

Discover the rural farm life in Southland via the Southern Scenic Route as you sit back, relax and reconnect with nature. After you enjoy this rural tourism itinerary, you will return to…

The Foodie

3 Days

255 km

Anytime

Foodies rejoice as you sample your way through some of the world’s best fare, all produced in the great Southern region.

You're Due South

Are you a self-proclaimed Foodie? Or maybe you're more of an Explorer at heart. Do you want to dust off the Swanndri and go rural for a bit...or embrace your inner Free Spirit? Or maybe you…

crosshair icon View All Southland Roadtrips

Explore Murihiku Southland

Invercargill Central
Stacy Williamson

Invercargill

Waihōpai Invercargill is the regional capital and commercial hub of Southland. Founded in the 1850s, it is New Zealand’s southernmost city - and one of the southernmost cities in the world. Numerous… Read More

Stewart Island

Rakiura Stewart Island is the southernmost and smallest island of the three main islands of New Zealand. Just 30km from the South Island, it is a perfect retreat for those seeking peace, quiet, and… Read More

Florence Hill Lookout, The Catlins
Florence Hill Lookout, The Catlins

The Catlins

The Catlins, the spectacular coastal stretch between Balclutha and Invercargill, boasts a rugged beauty and untouched quality that is magnetic. Here you’ll find a world of native forests fringed by high… Read More

Gore District

Hokonui Gore District, sometimes referred to as Eastern Southland, boasts an eclectic mix of heritage and culture. Famous for its fly-fishing on the Mataura River, its colourful illicit whisky-making past and… Read More

Bluff

Southland’s port, Motupōhue Bluff, lies thirty kilometres south of Invercargill. The town, which is the southernmost settlement on mainland New Zealand, is home to the iconic Bluff Oyster & Food… Read More

Central Southland
Sam Deuchrass

Central Southland

Central Southland is 1.5 million hectares of lush, rolling farmland. The district has always thrived on agriculture, although sawmills, flax and linen-flax industries, lime works, brickworks and tile works… Read More

Mores Scenic Reserve Lookout, Western Southland
Sam Deuchrass

Western Southland

Tucked between the towering peaks of Fiordland to the west, the Takitimu mountain range to the north, and the wild ocean to the south, Western Southland boasts spectacular unspoilt scenery and limitless… Read More