National park · New Zealand
Fiordland National Park
There is no entry fee: drive the Milford Road from Te Anau (2 h each way, no fuel or food after Te Anau), walk one Great Walk or a day section, and go Nov–Apr; book huts and the Milford Track months ahead.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
12,607 km² (4,868 sq mi)4,868 sq mi (12,607 km²)
approximate
Established
1952
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 12,607 km² (4,868 sq mi)4,868 sq mi (12,607 km²)
- Park area as given by the Department of Conservation; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1952
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Fiordland is New Zealand's largest national park, 12,607 km² of glacier-carved fiords, beech forest and snow-capped peaks in the south-west corner of the South Island, part of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Almost all of it has no road and no track: the formed paths, about 500 km of them, sit in the eastern and northern edges. Te Anau is the gateway and the visitor centre; Milford Sound is the one fiord you can drive to. Rain is the norm — over 200 rain days a year, and Milford Sound takes about 8,000 mm of it, which is why the waterfalls work.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1990Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand, with Mount Aspiring, Westland Tai Poutini and Aoraki/Mount Cook national parks.
Size and age
12,607 km² (4,868 sq mi)4,868 sq mi (12,607 km²) · national park since 1952
Park area as given by the Department of Conservation; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- Milford Sound is the fiord you can reach by car, and the road in is half the trip: Homer Tunnel, the Hollyford Valley and the Chasm.
- Four of the Great Walks start here or cross the park — Milford, Kepler, Routeburn and the Hump Ridge, made a Great Walk in 2024.
- Doubtful Sound is bigger, quieter and boat-only, reached over Lake Manapouri and the Wilmot Pass.
- Real wilderness: outside the Milford corridor there is no road, no phone signal and no easy way out.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWarm, long days; busiest and huts booked out
- FebWarm and settled; still busy
- MarFewer people, cooler nights, good walking
- AprQuiet, snow possible on high passes
- MayCold, wet, short days; some services close
- JunWinter: ice, avalanche risk, Milford Road can close
- JulColdest; snow and ice on tracks
- AugLate winter; check road and avalanche reports
- SepChangeable; waterfalls at strength
- OctShoulder season, fewer crowds, wet underfoot
- NovGood walking before the summer rush
- DecWarm; book huts and cruises early
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takahē (rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains in 1948)All year · Not a visitor sighting; the mainland population lives in a controlled area. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Kea and forest birds on the tracksOct–Apr · Kea are curious and will take food and gear; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| SandfliesNov–Mar · Worst near water and in the fiords; repellent and long sleeves work better than nothing. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Fur seals and dolphins in the fiordsOct–Apr · Seen from cruises; keep the distance the skipper sets. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Queenstown
Drive State Highway 94 via Mossburn and Lumsden to Te Anau; no public transport on the Milford Road beyond Te Anau.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Invercargill
Drive north on State Highway 94 through Mossburn to Te Anau.
2–2.5 h
From Te Anau to Milford Sound
Drive the Milford Road (State Highway 94), the only road in the park; allow extra time for stops and one-lane sections.
2–2.5 h
From Manapouri
15 min drive from Te Anau; boats and buses for Doubtful Sound leave from here.
15 min
From Milford Sound by air
Scenic flights from Queenstown and Te Anau land at Milford; weather can cancel them.
35–60 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Te Anau basin and the gateway | Visitor centre, lakefront, Kepler Track trailhead and the road end for the Milford Track. | Open; no fee. |
| Milford Road corridor | The only road in the park: Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, the Chasm and Milford Sound. | Open; winter closures and avalanche control possible. |
| Milford Sound and the fiord | Cruises, kayaking and the Milford Track finish at Sandfly Point. | Open; cruises and boats bookable. |
| Doubtful Sound and Manapouri | Lake Manapouri, the underground power station, Wilmot Pass and Deep Cove. | Boat and bus only, by tour or booked crossing. |
| Southern and western wilderness | Dusky Track, Lake Hauroko, Sutherland Falls and the unroaded interior. | Experienced trampers only; no formed access. |
Sketch map
- 1Te Anau (visitor centre, Lakefront Drive) · Headquarters≈-45.424, 167.719Approximate; main DOC visitor centre for the park.Map ↗
- 2Te Anau Downs (Milford Track trailhead boat) · Ranger station≈-45.183, 167.783Approximate.Map ↗
- 3The Divide (Routeburn and Caples trailheads) · Trail≈-44.817, 168.083Approximate; shelter and car park on the Milford Road.Map ↗
- 4Homer Tunnel · Gate≈-44.763, 167.989Approximate; single-lane, traffic lights, avalanche zone.Map ↗
- 5Milford Sound terminal · Beach≈-44.641, 167.897Approximate; cruises, car park and the Milford Track finish.Map ↗
- 6Manapouri · Town≈-45.567, 167.600Approximate; Doubtful Sound departures.Map ↗
- 7West Arm Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-45.524, 167.274Approximate; reached by boat across Lake Manapouri.Map ↗
- 8Deep Cove · Viewpoint≈-45.450, 167.150Approximate; end of the Wilmot Pass road.Map ↗
- 9Sutherland Falls · Viewpoint≈-44.801, 167.729Approximate; 580 m drop, seen on the Milford Track or by air.Map ↗
- 10Lake Hauroko (Dusky Track) · Trail≈-45.967, 167.117Approximate; southern start of the Dusky Track.Map ↗
Take the points offline
10 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, taken from the park centre and known trailheads, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for any New Zealand national park. |
| Milford Track Great Walk hut | NZD 110–140 (≈ US$65–85) | person per night | 2026 estimate; New Zealand residents pay less. Bookings open months ahead and sell out. |
| Kepler Track Great Walk hut | NZD 110–140 (≈ US$65–85) | person per night | 2026 estimate; the track is usually walked in 3 nights. |
| Standard backcountry hut | NZD 10–25 (≈ US$6–15) | person per night | 2026 estimate; Hut Ticket or Backcountry Pass, no booking for most. |
| Milford Sound day cruise | NZD 100–200 (≈ US$60–120) | person | 2026 estimate; varies by operator, length and season. |
| Doubtful Sound day trip from Manapouri | NZD 250–350 (≈ US$150–250) | person | 2026 estimate; includes the boat across Lake Manapouri and the Wilmot Pass bus. |
| Milford Road car park (The Divide, Knobs Flat) | Free | vehicle | Free; the Milford Sound terminal car park is paid and fills early (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Great Walk huts and campsites permit or guide
Milford Track permit or guide
Hunting permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
Drones permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NZ$110–140≈ US$65–85
- NZ$110–140≈ US$65–85
- NZ$10–25≈ US$6–15
- NZ$100–200≈ US$60–120
- NZ$250–350≈ US$150–250
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Department of Conservation — Fiordland National Park before you go.
Park rules
- No entry fee
- New Zealand national parks are free to enter; you pay for huts, campsites, cruises and guided walks.
- Hut and campsite bookings
- Great Walk huts and campsites must be booked in advance; most standard backcountry huts use a Hut Ticket or pass.
- Leave no trace
- Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps; there are no bins in the backcountry.
- Fires
- No fires in the backcountry; use a cooker.
- Intentions
- Tell the visitor centre or a ranger your route and return date for any overnight trip away from the Milford corridor.
- Aircraft and drones
- Aircraft are used for track servicing, pest control and search and rescue; drone use needs DOC permission (check).
Where to stay
Near the park
Te Anau
Motels, hotels, hostels and campsites at the park gate; the practical base for the Milford Road and Kepler Track.
Near the park
Manapouri
Smaller lakeside village, 15 min from Te Anau, for Doubtful Sound departures.
In the park
Milford Sound
Lodge and backpacker beds at the fiord; limited and expensive, book early.
In the park
Great Walk and backcountry huts
Bunk rooms with mattresses, water and a cooker area; bring bedding, food and a head torch.
In the park
DOC campsites
Basic sites along the Milford Road and at lake edges; some are bookable, some are cash or pass only (check).
Safety
Weather turning fast high
Avalanche and ice on the Milford Road in winter medium
Getting lost off-track high
Sandflies low
No fuel or food after Te Anau medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Milford Road, the Chasm and the Milford Sound terminal are reachable by car or coach with short, mostly flat walks.
- Cruises at Milford and Doubtful Sound suit limited mobility; the Doubtful Sound trip includes a bus over the Wilmot Pass.
- Great Walks and most tracks are rough, steep and often muddy; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book with operators that hold DOC concessions and follow the fiord wildlife rules.
- Use the toilets at huts and trailheads; human waste is flown out of the backcountry at cost.
- Keep to the track: the alpine and wetland plants here recover slowly.
- Check your boots and gear for seeds and dirt before and after walking, to slow the spread of weeds.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Fiordland National Park?
Nothing. Entry to Fiordland and every other New Zealand national park is free. You pay for services inside it: Great Walk huts about NZ$110–140 per person per night (2026 estimate, less for New Zealand residents), standard backcountry huts about NZ$10–25, Milford Sound cruises about NZ$100–200, and the Doubtful Sound day trip about NZ$250–350.
What are the best hikes in Fiordland National Park?
The Milford Track (4 days, 53.5 km, book months ahead) is the famous one. The Kepler Track starts at Te Anau and can be walked as a day section to Luxmore Hut. The Routeburn Track crosses into Mount Aspiring National Park, and the Hump Ridge Track became a Great Walk in 2024. For a short walk, use the Milford Road stops: the Chasm, Mirror Lakes and the Eglinton Valley.
When is the best time to visit Fiordland National Park?
November to April for walking, with February and March the most settled and January the busiest. Rain falls year-round — over 200 rain days a year — so plan wet-weather days and take the cruise anyway, since rain is what makes the waterfalls. June to August is winter: ice, avalanche risk and possible Milford Road closures.
Do I need to book the Milford Track?
Yes. Independent walkers book a DOC hut package for the fixed season and it sells out fast; guided walks are run by a licensed operator. The same applies to Kepler, Routeburn and Hump Ridge huts.
Can I drive to Milford Sound?
Yes, on State Highway 94 from Te Anau — about 117 km and 2–2.5 hours each way, with no fuel or food after Te Anau. It is the only road in the park. In winter check the road status before leaving; it closes for avalanche control.
How do I get to Doubtful Sound?
There is no road. You take a boat across Lake Manapouri, then a bus over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove, usually as a booked day trip or overnight cruise from Manapouri or Te Anau.
Is there phone signal in the park?
Patchy to none away from Te Anau and the Milford settlement. Carry a personal locator beacon for any backcountry trip and leave your intentions with the visitor centre.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go