My Top 5 Things to Do in Fiordland

milford

roadtrip

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Camp

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lakemarian

me!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit one of the top places on my New Zealand bucket list, Fiordland. These are my top 5 things to do there based on my amazing experience!

5. Roadtrip It

The Fiordland on the South Island of New Zealand is known for being one of the most beautiful places in the world, so grab a couple of your friends, go in on a car, and take a few days to explore every nook and cranny it has to offer. You won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you’ve got a competent New Zealand practiced driver with you because they aren’t kidding when they say New Zealand roads are not to be messed with. Guardrails are few and far between.

4. Set Up Camp

There’s nothing quite like spending a weekend in the middle of nowhere with only the comforts of your (hopefully warm) sleeping bag and your friends for company. As someone who has never camped before making my way to New Zealand, and whose first experience wasn’t exactly the most promising, I can say for a fact that camping in the Fiordland is on a whole other level. The stars alone make the experience worth it, especially if you’re like me, and have never had the chance to see them outside of your light-polluted city.

3. Milford Sound

Marketed as the eighth wonder of the world, Milford Sound stands as one of New Zealand’s highest selling points. If you’ve got the money, take an overnight cruise through the sound and sleep out on the ocean, or book a few kayaks and experience the beauty as up close and personal as you can get. Don’t worry if you’re not up for spending the big bucks, Milford Sound is just as enjoyable for free, you’ve just got to make your own adventure. Pack a lunch and eat it on the rocky beach while you watch the tiny planes soar over the sound, or take a group of friends and find a day hike to immerse yourself in.

2. HIKE, HIKE, HIKE

There’s almost too many hikes ready and waiting in Fiordland to count. Every experience and fitness level is available, from a nice three-hour hike up to beautiful Lake Marian, to the more demanding fourteen-hour hikes that involve icepicks and probably magic to reach those peaks. Bring your camera along and prepare for the hundreds of new pictures that you’ll annoy your friends with because around every corner is something more photo-worthy than the last, and you’ll want to remember it all!

1. Forge Your Own Path

The thing about Fiordland is that there’s something for everyone, and it’s impossible to experience it all. In my short weekend there, I was only able to make it about an hour into Fiordland to explore. There’s so much more to see. Doubtful Sound, argued by locals to be even more noteworthy than Milford, was something that I unfortunately missed out on, and I’m sure there are dozens more. Take the time to do some research, and plan out your very own dream weekend, and be ready for the everything Fiordland has to offer!