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Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park, the largest slice of the Te Wahipounamu-Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, is one of New Zealand’s finest outdoor treasures. At 12,523 sq km, Fiordland is the country’s largest park, and one of the largest in the world. It stretches from Martins Bay in the north to Te Waewae Bay in the south, and is bordered by the Tasman Sea on one side and a series of deep lakes on the other. In between are rugged ranges with sharp granite peaks and narrow valleys, 14 of New Zealand’s most beautiful fiords, and the country’s best collection of waterfalls.

The rugged terrain, rainforest-like bush and abundant water have kept progress and people out of much of the park. Fiordland’s fringes are easily visited, but most of the park is impenetrable to all but the hardiest trampers, making it a true wilderness in every sense.

The most intimate way to experience Fiordland is on foot. There are more than 500km of tracks, and more than 60 huts scattered along them. The most famous track in New Zealand is the Milford Track. Often labelled the ‘finest walk in the world’, the Milford is almost a pilgrimage to many Kiwis. Right from the beginning the Milford has been a highly regulated and commercial venture, and this has deterred some trampers. However, despite the high costs and the abundance of buildings on the manicured track, it’s still a wonderfully scenic tramp.

There are many other tracks in Fiordland. The Hollyford, on the park’s northern edge, is steeped in history and has excellent fishing holes. At the park’s opposite end is the Dusky Track, a true wilderness tramp.

TELEPHONE CODE: 03 www.fiordland.org.nz www.hikesouth.com

HIGHLIGHTS

Viewing the three leaps of Sutherland Falls ( p297 ) on the Milford Track

Photographing the seal colony at Martins Bay ( p302 ) on the Hollyford Track

Climbing Mt Luxmore ( p305 ) for views of Fiordland National Park on the Kepler Track

Tramping across the wooden viaducts along the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track ( p311 )

© Lonely Planet Publications

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HISTORY In comparison with other regions, little is known of the pre-European history of the Maori in Fiordland. There is evidence of a permanent settlement at Martins Bay, and possibly summer villages throughout Fiordland, which were used for seasonal hunting expeditions. The Maori name for

Dusky Sound was Tamatea, after the legend-ary explorer who travelled the length of the main islands in the canoe Takitimu.

The most significant find in the Fiord-land region was made in 1967, when the remains of a Maori sitting burial were dis-covered in a small, dry cave on Mary Island in Lake Hauroko. It was the best-preserved

Chalky Inlet

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Breaksea Sound

Thompson Sound

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World Heritage Area

Te WahipounamuSouthwest New Zealand

Southwest New Zealand(Te Wahipounamu)

World Heritage Area

ForestTakitimu

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N A T I O N A L P A R KF I O R D L A N D

(1158m)Mt Webb

Caroline Peak(1722m)

(1713m)Mt Ward

Mt Crawford(1695m)

Flat Mtn(1768m)

(1634m)Spence Peak

(1696m)Spire Peak

(1905m)Mt Lyall

Mt Irene(1879m)

Mt Pisgah(1556m)

(2036m)Mt McDougall

(1958m)Mt Anau

(2050m)David Peak

PeakCountess

(1829m)

(2050m)Tooth Peak

(1815m)Walter Peak

(3035m)Mt Aspiring

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(2746m)

(1692m)Mt Earnslaw

Mitre Peak

Mt Tutoko

(2035m)Jane Peak

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See Mt Aspiring NationalPark Map (p258)

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2 Hollyford Track (South)1 Milford Track

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Fiordland – Maps

Fiordland 0 50 km0 30 miles

288 F I O R D L A N D N AT I O N A L PA R K • • H i s t o r y Fiordland