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Fiordland National Park, south-west South Island

Fiordland and Milford Sound

Fiordland National Park covers New Zealand's south-west corner, and Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is its best-known fiord: sheer rock walls, waterfalls and rainforest dropping into the sea. Te Anau is the lakeside base that makes a Milford day comfortable. It is wet, remote and weather-dependent, and that is part of the story.

What creators film here

  • A cruise on Milford Sound beneath Mitre Peak.
  • The Milford Road, the Homer Tunnel and the Mirror Lakes.
  • Doubtful Sound, reached across Lake Manapōuri, for a quieter, wilder fiord.
  • Te Anau's glowworm caves and short walks on the Kepler Track.

When to come

November to April gives longer days and more reliable roads. Rain falls all year and makes the waterfalls; a wet day is often a better day here. In winter and spring the Milford Road can close at short notice for avalanche risk.

Getting around on a hosted trip

Milford Sound is about two hours by road from Te Anau and about four from Queenstown, each way. We recommend a night in Te Anau. Scenic flights from Queenstown are possible only where agreed in the itinerary, and the weather often grounds them, so there is always a road fallback.

Filming notes

Fiordland is a national park and part of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Flying a drone on conservation land needs a DOC permit, and permits here are very restricted, so do not bring one. Commercial filming on conservation land may need a DOC concession; tell us your plans before the trip.

On the ground

Experiences in Fiordland and Milford Sound