5 Fall for Fiordland

Ask Kiwis about Fiordland and the response will always be dreamy eyes and a collective sigh. The remote, natureblessed pocket of the South Island is home to New Zealand’s most dramatic scenery, think The Lord of the Rings beautiful - and if any locals haven’t been, it’s high on the list. Lakes are so clear it’s as if they are glass, fiords are carved by glaciers and rainforest reigns supreme, teeming with native wildlife including the takahe, kakapo, mohua and kea. Its far-flung setting and lack of light pollution makes for immense stargazing – in fact, its application to become a Dark Sky Park is in the works.

CALLING IN FROM QUEENSTOWN

From Queenstown it's a scenic two-hour drive south to Te Anau, the perfect base for your adventures around Fiordland, including Milford Sound. Home to the largest lake in the South Island, and with another of those seemingly endless South Island mountainous backdrops, Te Anau is worthy of a visit alone.

For wilderness seekers, try hiking to

Lake Marian, jet-boating – or a heli-hike to Mt Luxmore while in Te Anau. Then, refuel at any number of the excellent restaurants (wild venison is a speciality). Before you dive deeper in the Fiords, don’t miss the Te Anau Glowworm Caves – shaped by rivers over 12,000 years.

THE SOUNDS OF NATURE

Carved by glaciers in the Ice Ages, Milford Sound is as wide as it is wonderful. Mountain peaks scrape the sky and

Doubtful Sound © Graham Dainty; Lake Marian Track © Fin Matson; Marakura Wharf © Richard Young; Milford Sound © Fin Matson waterfalls plunge from as high as 580 metres – dolphins and sea lions play in their mist. Further south, Doubtful Sound is the deepest and secondlongest fiord. It might not have the same easy accessibility as Milford, but its secret weapon is in the silence.

Cruises and scenic flights are the most popular way to experience either Milford or Doubtful. On a flight you can even opt for a glacier landing, or a picnic by an alpine lake atop a ravishing mountain peak. For a slower pace, and to fully immerse yourself in this region where nature is writ large, try a half-day kayaking tour where you can get into areas otherwise inaccessible.

SWEET DREAMS

Part of Luxury Lodges of New Zealand, Fiordland Lodge sits on the edge of 1.2-million hectares of wilderness in Te Anau. Reserved for just 27 guests, the property unites high ceilings with a massive river stone fireplace. All rooms have views over Lake Te Anau and across to Fiordland National Park. Further south is Cabot Lodge, where guests converge at dusk for cocktails and canapés, before savouring a meal showcasing the property’s fresh farm-to-plate produce. Here, you’ll find walking trails, a private jetty, an extensive library and a spa pool. fiordland.org.nz