2024 Southland Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in September)
Popular Attractions
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
Milford Sound Scenic Cruises
Te Anau Glowworm Caves - RealNZ
Fiordland National Park
Lake Te Anau
A Taste of the Enchanting Fiordland!
Last week, I took a day trip to Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island with “Southern Discoveries”.
It was an early start and a long drive but well worth it if you’re on a tight schedule and you want to see the Milford Sound.
We made several stops for toilet breaks and coffee. We also stopped at some fantastic viewpoints to take pictures of the mountainous landscape.
Upon entry into the national park, it was breathtaking. The mountains towered overhead and the rivers below were a wonderful blue as a result from the glacial waters.
We pulled up to the edge of Milford Sound and boarded a small cruise boat. The boat took us along the sound and out into the Tasman Sea. Along the way, we pulled up close to two beautiful waterfalls. It was super refreshing as it was a hot day.
On the way back, we saw some seals basking in the afternoon sun. We also stopped at the underwater observatory to view life below the surface. It was fascinating to see the various fish and sea creatures in their natural habitat. Finally, we pulled back into the wharf and began the long drive back towards Queenstown.
I would suggest spending more time around Fiordland if you have a car and more time. Te Anau is a nearby town where you can base yourself. If not, a day trip with a schedule like mine is enough to get a taste of Fiordland!
#newzealand #Travel #freehotelstay #travelinspiration #explore #mountainview #wanderlust #instatravel #nature
Darren611
New Zealand Hiking| Milford Track crosses the Jurassic World
| Milford Track crosses the Jurassic World. New Zealand Hiking| Milford Track crosses the Jurassic World
The hardest to grab Milford Sound track is realized, the wild luxury hiking not only has independent lodge to live, there are hot water soap drying room at night, and a stunningly rich 3 course meal dinner! (Crazy right flip) Every day after hiking, take a bath, order a glass of pinot gris wine,
The first day you have to take a boat across te anau lake to enter the trail head, and the last day you have to take a boat out to Mitre peak lodge.
Crossing the Jurassic forest-like beach tree forest, valleys, jungles, mountains, avalanches, lakes, waterfalls, rapids and countless magical small animals in the isolated fjord park, I was healed by nature again! The whole journey takes five days, but actually only three days of real hiking. The whole route is very beautiful, with some classic scenery that can't be missed!
Day1- Take a bus, take a boat, and walk for 20 minutes to the first lodge (private lodge and doc hut are far apart) Glade House. Day2- Cross the beach tree forest, you can see hundreds of small waterfalls, mirror-like lakes, and very nice waterfall downstream swimming points. Arrive at Pomplona lodae.Dav3- Start from the canyon scenery in the morning mist, go up and down through the mckinon path, several classic large waterfalls, many rare flowers, alpine parrots, see the shocking avalanche, cross the Jurassic world-like forest, arrive at quentin lodge, you can walk side walk to see
southland fall absolutely shocking!! Don't miss it! Day-4 Long beach tree forest, 23km flat route, along the valley, pass by bell rock (very magical, must go in/New Zealand classic postcard treasure green waterfall. Also pass through Milford
window, which is also my favorite landscape. Finally arrive at sandfly bay and take a small boat out.
Allie Bartell
New Zealand ~ Milford Sound Fjord
Milford Sound in New Zealand is located in the Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. It is listed as a World Heritage Site and is also known as one of the 'Eight Wonders of the World'. It has the Sutherland Falls with a drop of 580 meters, which is among the highest in the world, and a group of waterfalls flowing down from the cliffs. It is a breathtaking sight on rainy days!
Milford Sound was formed over a long glacial period through the long-term effect of dripping water. The deepest part of it has a drop of 265 meters with Mitre Peak. The river extends 22 kilometers inland, where the fjord surface intersects vertically with the cliff, which has been cut into a V-shaped cross-section by glaciers, and the canyon has sunk to form the current landscape.
It is different from other 'peaceful' sights on the South Island. On rainy days, there is a 'very shocking' and 'very atmospheric' beauty here. Whenever it rains, many 'temporary waterfalls' will appear. These waterfalls pour down from the surface of the cliff, some as long as 1000 meters.
Here, the dense primeval rainforest clings tightly to the majestic mountains. The glowing lake surface and granite peaks still maintain their 'looks' from a thousand years ago. The road to Milford Sound is known as one of the best highland roads in the world, known as the 'best geography classroom in the world'.
atticus_ignatius_rainier
Need a challenge? Hike at Lake Marian
Lake Marian is a beautiful alpine lake in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. The hike to the lake is picturesque, with stunning scenery along the way, including waterfalls and lush forests. Once you arrive at the lake, you'll be captivated by its clear waters and impressive mountain backdrop. It's a must-visit destination for nature lovers and hikers looking for a serene and breathtaking experience.
#newzealand
Ccxyccxy123
Petrified Forest of Curio Bay
Along the Catlins in the South Island of New Zealand, you may venture across the ancient geological phenomenon of Curio Bay, the site of one of the world's most accessible and rarest petrified forests. These trees are estimated to have been alive around 170 million years ago when New Zealand was part of the Gondwana super continent. Over millions of years, the logs that were once buried deeply by volcanic mud flow and fossilised have become exposed by the sea. #bucketlistreboot