Fiordland National Park was establised in 1952 and is the largest park in New Zealand, with an area of 12,500 km², and a major part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Fiordland is located on the south-west of the South Island of New Zealand .The Park is administered by the Department of Conservation and park. It is home to a myriad of natural gems, including coastal fiords, majestic Fiordland lakes, Milford Sound, Milford Track, Lakes Manapouri, Te Anau, Monowai, Hauroko and Poteriteri.
Vegetation and Wildlife
The wildlife in this area includes dolphins, seals and birds. Introduced species include mice, rats, hare and deer. Among the birds are the Kakapo, the only flightless parrot in the world. Also there is the kiwi, which is native to New Zealand. The Park is heavily forested with nothofagus trees, a large variety of understory shrubs and ferns being present; examples of the forest floor vegetation include Crown Fern, Blechnum discolor
Highlights:
Ice has carved islands from the mainland, leaving two large uninhabited offshore islands, Secretary Island and Resolution Island. Several large lakes lie within the park’s boundaries, notably Lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri, Lake Monowai, Lake Hauroko, and Lake Poteriteri. The Sutherland Falls, to the southwest of Milford Sound on the Milford Track, are among the world’s highest waterfalls.
Activities:
Fiordland is world-renowned as an outstanding outdoor activity heaven, for trout fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, boating, sailing, and diving.The park is a popular destination for alpine climbers and especially for trampers, with the Milford, Kepler, Hollyford and Routeburn Tracks all in or close to the park.
Magnificent Milford Sound
Described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ Milford Sound is always spectacular. Feel the mist of the waterfalls, look for seals on the rocks and marvel at the steep sides of the fiord.
The deepest fiord
At 421 meters, Doubtful Sound is the deepest of New Zealand’s fiords. It’s a haven for nature, with resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. Kayak tours and eco-cruises reveal the mysteries of the fiord.
Wonderful walks
Three of New Zealand’s ‘great walks’ are found in Fiordland – the Routeburn, Milford and Kepler tracks. For those with less time, a range of short walks lets you dip into the wilderness for a few hours.
Helicopter hunting
Helicopter hunting is also very famous in the Park. Park authority allow to visitors for hunting.
Accommodation
There is a range of accommodation options in the park and around the park.There are more than 50 hikers’ huts in the park. ‘Great Walks’ huts are found on the Milford, Kepler and Routeburn tracks, and these provide a higher-than-usual level of comfort. More basic huts are available on the other tracks.
