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Walk New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park

Walk New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park

From $ 2,395 AUD

Description

Immerse yourself in New Zealand’s best nature with this 4-day, short but super sweet walking trip. Base yourself in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and the famed Milford Sound – and explore at your own pace. Take on some of the South Island’s most gorgeous hiking trails and wander atop mountain peaks, through lush rainforests and by shimmering lakes like Lake Manapouri and Lake Ada. Witness the majesty of Milford Sound – on foot and boat – and look out for fur seals, bottleneck dolphins and numerous cascading waterfalls. Brave high swing bridges with beech forest views, listen to the birdsong of tuis, bellbirds and kereru and breathe in some of the freshest air in the world.

Trip Name
Walk New Zealand's Fiordland National Park
Last Updated
2024-04-29
Days
4
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Walk through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful South Island landscapes and enjoy all the included highlights alongside lots of free time, to rest, relax and explore at your own pace.
  • Enjoy the natural scenery from an e-bike and feel the wind in your hair as you cycle towards the gorgeous Lake Manapouri.
  • Explore the famed Milford Sound – nicknamed the world’s eighth wonder – by foot and ship. Hike to the cascades of Giant Gate Falls and then enjoy a small boat cruise on the sound. Look out for seals and dolphins!
  • Take the option to discover the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves by boat and learn all about these fascinating bioluminescent creatures and their ecosystem from a local guide.
  • Hike to towering summits like Key Summit or Greenstone Valley through surrounding beech forest, rainforest, expansive lakes and rolling hillsides – Middle Earth is calling.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Forest & Bird. Donations help them give nature a voice - protecting wildlife and wild places in Aotearoa New Zealand by advocating for conservation on the ground and at a government level. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Queenstown to Te Anau
Kia ora! Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand. If you arrive in Queenstown with some time to spare, there is no shortage of activities available – from cycling and hiking to dining and sightseeing. Today, your trip starts with a pick-up from Steamer's Wharf at 8 am. Take a private transfer to Te Anau, the centre of your 4-day walking trip and the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. After dropping off your bags and checking in to your accommodation, take a scenic drive on Milford Road, stopping for a few short walks and photo opportunities. Your first walk of the trip is on the Routeburn Track. You’ll walk to Key Summit or Greenstone Valley for the next few hours, depending on the group’s fitness level and desires. After, return to the accommodation and enjoy a free evening to relax – or join your fellow trekkers for an optional dinner out.
Day 2 - Te Anau
After brekkie, you’ll jump on an e-bike this morning and take a scenic bike ride to Queens Reach Boat Ramp (approximately 2 hours). From here, you’ll take a jet boat to Lake Manapouri – formed 20,000 years ago in the most recent ice age and now known as New Zealand’s loveliest lake. Take in the sweeping scenery full of glittering blues and greens, then head out on today’s walk on the Kepler Track. Along the way, appreciate the unique mountainous landscape akin to the wonders of Middle Earth and follow the terraces of the Waiau River through red and mountain beech forests. Cross the river on a swing bridge and stop for a packed lunch at Rainbow Reach. Depending on the time and weather we may stop in at Te Punanga O Manu Te Anau Bird Sanctuary to catch a glimpse at some of New Zealand's rare and endangered birds such as the takahe. In the early evening, make your way back to the accommodation.
Day 3 - Te Anau
Get up bright and early this morning and prepare to explore one of the most popular spots in all New Zealand – Milford Sound, known locally as Piopiotahi. After breakfast, take a private transfer on the Milford Road to the Milford Track described as "the finest walk in the world". You’ll head to Giant Gate Falls from Sandfly Point on a guided hike. Pass through rainforest landscapes, taking in all the sights and smells of the track. You’ll pass countless fern species and hear the singsong of New Zealand tuis, bellbirds and kereru. Stop for a packed lunch when you reach the falls, which flow into Lake Ada, destined for the Tasman Sea. This gorgeous sight can be best appreciated on the swing bridge in front of the cascade. After your trek, head to the base of Mitre Peak for a 2-hour boat cruise on Milford Sound – and see why this location was dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world' by Rudyard Kipling. Look out for bottlenose dolphins and fur seals and bask in the silence of the fiord as you sail past misting cascades, icy peaks, lush rainforest and twisting inlets. Depart the fiord in the late afternoon and return to your accommodation, where your evening is free.
Day 4 - Te Anau to Queenstown
After breakfast this morning, you have the option to head to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. After a scenic boat ride on Lake Te Anau, you’ll sail beneath the bioluminescent worms and learn about this fascinating ecosystem from your local guide. If you’d rather, maybe just explore Te Anau on foot or walk around the lake. You can also catch a water taxi across the lake and take a scenic walk back to town from there (which takes about 3 hours). After, you’ll return to Queenstown via a private transfer, where your trip ends.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-10-202401-11-2024AUD $ 2,405-
12-11-202415-11-2024AUD $ 2,500-
15-12-202418-12-2024AUD $ 2,595-
05-01-202508-01-2025AUD $ 2,405-
19-01-202522-01-2025AUD $ 2,405-
02-02-202505-02-2025AUD $ 2,405-
30-03-202502-04-2025AUD $ 2,405-
26-10-202529-10-2025AUD $ 2,405-
16-11-202519-11-2025AUD $ 2,405-
07-12-202510-12-2025AUD $ 2,500-
21-12-202524-12-2025AUD $ 2,595-
04-01-202607-01-2026AUD $ 2,595-
18-01-202621-01-2026AUD $ 2,595-
01-02-202604-02-2026AUD $ 2,500-
15-02-202618-02-2026AUD $ 2,500-
08-03-202611-03-2026AUD $ 2,405-
29-03-202601-04-2026AUD $ 2,405-
25-10-202628-10-2026AUD $ 2,395-
15-11-202618-11-2026AUD $ 2,395-
06-12-202609-12-2026AUD $ 2,395-
20-12-202623-12-2026AUD $ 2,395-
03-01-202706-01-2027AUD $ 2,395-
17-01-202720-01-2027AUD $ 2,395-
31-01-202703-02-2027AUD $ 2,395-
14-02-202717-02-2027AUD $ 2,395-
07-03-202710-03-2027AUD $ 2,395-
28-03-202731-03-2027AUD $ 2,395-

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Boat

Map