Top 5 Fiordland National Park Car Tours: See the Best of New Zealand

So, thinking about seeing Fiordland National Park in New Zealand? That’s a really excellent choice! This spot has amazing scenery, from high mountains all the way down to big, sprawling fiords. I mean, your trip planning starts right here, yet, this guide covers five superb car tours, just so you’re able to uncover this very remarkable place at your own pace. Also, this really will be your roadmap to seeing Fiordland, complete with standout sights, the best times to travel, plus ways to basically, like, get the most out of your trip. Get going!

1. The Milford Road: A Trip to the Famous Sound

First off, we really do need to talk about the Milford Road! Now, this is arguably one of New Zealand’s most gorgeous drives and is that a must-do if you’re there. That trip itself is super memorable, almost as impressive as reaching Milford Sound, seriously. Also, keep a look out for the Eglinton Valley; it looks like it came straight out of a movie, and then the Mirror Lakes, which literally reflect the Earl Mountains. And of course, you’ll be stopping at the Homer Tunnel, that a pretty interesting feat of engineering cutting right through a mountain. Actually, during specific times of the year, keep a watch for kea, which is like, a clever mountain parrot that is very entertaining, but still can be a bit mischievous around cars!

When to go: The time that tends to be best is between November and April. And, is that there’s warmer weather with longer daylight hours. That said, is that Fiordland has rain at any time, so be prepared with rain gear; this only improves the waterfalls! Also, it can get really busy during peak times; arriving pretty early helps tons if you’re thinking about beating those crowds. Still, always be sure you check the road conditions beforehand, as that avalanches are quite likely throughout the winter.

What to do: Very consider taking a cruise when you reach Milford Sound; that a definitely perfect way to take in the grandeur of Mitre Peak plus those cascades dropping hundreds of meters. I mean, you should look at boat tours ahead of time. Very consider also kayaking; you can explore the more quiet spots of the fiord from down on the water. And, of course, take your time coming down the road back again; seeing that landscape under diverse light is quite remarkable. The landscape itself could be great, actually. Read our full review: Milford Road Adventure Full Review and Details
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2. Te Anau to Manapouri: Lakes and Power

The drive from Te Anau toward Manapouri is way less known than Milford Road. And so it really does offer some peaceful and lovely views. I mean, this route leads you next to Lake Te Anau, that seriously, is the biggest lake down in the South Island. Also, once you’re arriving in Manapouri, this unlocks access toward Doubtful Sound. Actually, there’s something kind of very special about this tour; you get a chance to look at New Zealand’s untouched natural areas alongside human technological achievement.

When to go: Just like Milford Sound, that is the finest time is during the summer, when the weather is more stable. Very visit in the late spring or fall. Very it’s less busy and there might be some colorful scenery changes! Even though, is that Manapouri does get a lot of rain, being geared up is that always crucial. I mean, you should prepare properly for this location!

What to do: When visiting Manapouri, be sure you take the Doubtful Sound excursion; it includes a boat ride over Lake Manapouri then a bus trip over Wilmot Pass; then, you’ll reach the Sound itself. This remote fiord is bigger and has less people than Milford, therefore offering an immersive wilderness experience. And, there’s a hydro station down at Manapouri; so consider booking a tour; it’s quite an incredible look at how electricity gets generated beneath the earth. Stop at some viewpoints, or go on a small walk. Even consider visiting some scenic areas circling Lake Te Anau for breathtaking perspectives. You can find some unbelievable photographic spots in the region, usually. Read our full review: Te Anau to Manapouri Full Review and Details
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3. The Southern Scenic Route: Coastal and Rural Charm

Want some broader exploration? Is that a part of the Southern Scenic Route actually passes through Fiordland. I mean, this spans beyond the park boundaries; there’s just a lot of diverse southern New Zealand landscape to view. Also, this route offers an exciting mix of both coastal landscapes, verdant farmland and forest spots with very cute towns dotted all along it. Also, is that be ready for amazing vistas practically every turn. It could honestly blow you away; and very remember there might some pretty wild scenery on display here!

When to go: Spring plus autumn provide especially attractive drives, the seasonal colors offering beautiful views; but, is that, similar to many bits of New Zealand’s south, rain is usual year-round, therefore come geared up. And, is that a trip from about November through to April offers better, yet quite more crowded, travel conditions overall.

What to do: Look into checking out the beautiful beach toward Curio Bay; you are able to check out some fossilized trees (that actually do exist!), plus maybe some rare penguins coming to shore around dusk there, quite a magnificent sight. Actually, venture on just some short walks, throughout the Catlins area for even better waterfalls (really cool cascading waterfalls!) including wildlife viewing potential at nearly all beaches along your way here now; it all honestly makes it quite special indeed if conditions happen stay good that is! The place may grab your imagination in ways you won’t predict! Read our full review: Southern Scenic Route Full Review and Details
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4. Kepler Track Road: Hiking Prep with Views

While that very Kepler Track can’t truly be done using cars alone. A car could bring you into the trailhead conveniently. So, using one can make getting access much simpler; plus, this particular location includes gorgeous views over places close to Te Anau to check around. So this ends as a gateway of venturing away around onto gorgeous tracks later!

When to go: Plan those hikes carefully around warmer periods normally ranging roughly from October thru around April. And do very confirm weather ahead so it doesn’t impact any walking or perhaps even some travel considerations overall. If seeing wildness appears more what anyone likes later coming ready anytime ends up ideal actually really. What matters involves securing security remains absolute once trekking about somewhere different later though.

What to do: Try stopping nearby, such like Control Gates found toward Kepler’s start and you’re able simply go toward those initial handful areas as parts since your afternoon outings later! Alternatively try taking walks just round certain points alongside Lake Te Anau for really scenic places suitable either brief outings right down prolonged treks too later depending, or plan stuff about quite right! The location may bring magic.

Read our full review: Kepler Track Road Full Review and Details
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5. Blackmount Redcliff Road: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Gem

Looking toward somewhere incredibly scenic yet away fairly far tourists at nearly all during almost visiting periods likely hereabout still? The really rural unpaved Blackmount Redcliff pathways could match something amazing when you intend searching what’s less crowded down almost during every moment traveling this superb section plus providing really magnificent impressions almost constantly anywhere travelling usually normally therefore really great!

When to go: It works alright really after conditions grow improved enough which appear round about summertime specifically after stuff grow dryer since pathway maintenance remains scarce meaning things can appear tricky unless clear skies plus minimum probability just right through traveling periods later just alright still although checking nearby situation predictions must remain necessary before venturing through anytime over there mostly. So make all that your utmost priority. Basically prioritize this over everything else honestly

What to do: Seriously pause by various viewpoints simply drinking sweeping environments covering nearby environments throughout various viewpoints or just seek a number nearby nature locations excellent also simply walking opportunities everywhere too although checking whether authorization ends legally required earlier when searching everything becomes quite extremely relevant when really discovering unmapped land across parts anyway throughout especially. Seriously discover magic wherever wandering ultimately there actually. That spot seriously holds the potential you’re aiming at ultimately, honestly

Read our full review: Blackmount Redcliff Road Full Review and Details
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