Experiences in Fiordland
Other Fiordland Experiences
Discover more of Fiordland
Fiordland National Park is over 12,000 square kilometres (4,868 sq mi) with Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and the Great Walks being the most popular places to visit. We have curated some unique experiences designed to explore deeper into Fiordland. Private walks on the Kepler Track, guided walks to Lake Marian or transport to the Dusky Track are all available for the adventure seekers. Why not add a Doubtful Sound experience onto your Milford Sound experience and get the best of both Fiords? Find out more below.
Private Kepler Track Guided Walk
- 1-3 people fromNZ$650
Choose either a morning or afternoon option to suit your travel itinerary. A local, knowledgeable guide will meet you at your Te Anau accommodation and ensure you have the right clothing before transporting you to the water taxi, which we use to access the Kepler Track.
This easy-going hike alongside the beautiful Lake Te Anau through the beech forest and ferns is suitable for everyone, and your private guide will ensure you get the most out of your time on the trail. This is a great option for families! Learn all you wish to know about the native fauna and flora of the Kepler Track, spot the birds, and at the right time of year identify the native orchids or abundant fungi. Without the distraction of others, you will have the guide’s full attention and get to understand so much more. Having a private guide gives you a value-added experience!
On the edge of the National Park and start/finish of the Kepler Track you will be met by a private vehicle to transport you back to your Te Anau accommodation to conclude your personal experience.
Lake Marian Guided Day Walk
- AdultNZ$299
We begin our journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Milford Road to the Lower Hollyford, the starting point for the guided walk to Lake Marian. En route there are opportunities for short nature walks and photographic stops. The hike starts with a gentle walk alongside a spectacular series of waterfalls, then steepens and becomes quite rocky underfoot as we ascend through a lush forest of fuchsia, ribbon wood and beech trees.
With a maximum of 6 walkers your friendly Trips and Tramps guide will share information and stories about the natural and human heritage of Fiordland. Stops for photographs, bird-watching and enjoying the scenery are regularly made along the way ensuring a pleasurable, easy-going climb. Hot drinks and energy snacks are carried by the guide, and a wilderness tea break is made available as required.
After walking 2-3 hours, Lake Marian, our stunning alpine destination, is reached. This beautiful lake is surrounded by a hanging valley bordered by steep, snow clad mountains. As weather allows, we enjoy a picnic lunch and relax in this magnificent alpine amphitheatre.
When the group is ready, we make a leisurely decent back down the track to the Hollyford Road and then travel back to Te Anau by coach.
Dusky Track Transport
- Transport per personNZ$385.00
Transport Information
Accessing the Dusky Track requires careful planning due to its remote location in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. The trailheads at Lake Hauroko and Lake Manapouri are reachable only by a combination of road and boat transport. Most hikers start their journey by traveling to Te Anau, the nearest town, which is well-connected by bus or car from major cities like Queenstown or Invercargill. From Te Anau, Trips & Tramps offers the following transport package. Note this is an unguided activity and anyone attempting to complete this tramp requires good experience and fitness.
Access to the track at the south end of the Dusky at Lake Hauroko Burn is available on Thursdays from November to April. Additional scheduled departures are available in peak season between 18 December to 8 January. Alternatively we can offer a charter service on most days for 5 + people (or by paying the equivalent). So you are best to start here and walk south to north, ending at West Arm, Manapouri.
We collect at 6:50 am from your Te Anau accommodation, or if you have access to a car we recommend you leave it at the View Street car park in Manapouri (where you get off the track), and we would collect you from here at 7:10 am. From here we transport you overland to Clifden corner to connect with Lake Hauroko Tours. They then transport you across the lake to the start of the track, arriving around 10.30 am.
To get off the track at West Arm there are boat departures everyday across Lake Manapouri with Real NZ. They do not take bookings (so they do not have to worry about missing, delayed or otherwise trampers), you just turn up and catch the next available boat. The scheduled boats are currently at 11.00 am, and 4.15 pm. We issue an open dated ticket for this portion of travel. If you need to travel back to Te Anau please contact us and we will make arrangements for the RealNZ bus, or we will collect you from Pearl Harbour, Manapouri.
Add a Doubtful Sound experience to your Milford Sound trip
Doubtful Sound Day Cruise
- Adult From NZ$349.00
- Child (5-15)NZ$175.00
- Infant (0-4)Free
Boat Cruise on Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound, is a remote fiord on a grand scale you won’t believe. Choose a full day boat excursion from Manapouri. Cruise across Lake Manapouri by ferry, then by coach cross the Southern Alps over the Wilmot Pass into Doubtful Sound. The isolation of this place makes the fiord a very unique place few people get to experience. In Doubtful Sound spend 3 hours exploring the inner fiord by boat.
With a viewing deck offering and inside seating there is plenty of opportunity to view this beautiful and serene fiord. Take in the rugged mountains clad in dense sub forest, cascading waterfalls, valleys carved out by glaciers in another age and the pristine waterways. It is like no where else in the world. Wildlife, such as penguins, dolphins, seals & sea birds, while not guaranteed, are often sighted during the cruise through this remote part of Fiordland World heritage area.
Note: This boat trip is provided by Real NZ.
50 minute helicopter flight
- Per personNZ$980
Helicopter flight over Doubtful Sound
Alternatively a scenic helicopter flight is the perfect way to see this spectacular fiord, fly over top and enjoy a scenic landing in this remote area of the rugged Fiordland Coastline. This is a great option if you have limited time or just want to see Fiordland from a different perspective.
Experience the alluring, natural beauty Doubtful Sound offers from above, and bypass the crowds below. Rich in flora and fauna, with unrivaled natural views, this fiord compliments your Milford Sound experience and gives you an appreciation of the expansive Southern end of Fiordland National Park. View the fiord with its incredible sea and mountain views before returning through the hidden valley of the magical Campbell's Kingdom. After a landing and photo stop here fly out over the Main Mountain Divide and return home via the beautiful South Arm of Lake Te Anau.
This is a scenic adventure you won't forget on your New Zealand holiday.
Note: This flight is provided by Fiordland Helicopters.
#tripsandtramps
