Things to do in Manapouri

1. Milford Sound Cruise & Kayak

Your vacation begins with a Milford Sound Nature Cruise that travels the length of the sound and out to the Tasman Sea. You won't miss a thing with vessels designed just for viewing! You'll be dropped off at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory near the end of your tour to learn about the history, geology, and ecology of Milford Sound, as well as visit New Zealand's only floating underwater observatory, Milford Deep, to see rare black coral. Then, after 90 minutes of calm kayaking in serene Harrison Cove, your expert kayak and nature guide will transport you to the kayaking pontoon.

2. Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Day Trip

Sit back, relax, and take in the breathtaking surroundings as well as the instructive discourse. Your knowledgeable local guide will show you the best sights along the Milford Road and effortlessly connect you to a 2-hour lunch cruise. Travel in a comfortable premium bus with plenty of legroom and USB charging connections. The native rainforest, stunning waterfalls, and glacial lakes are all worth seeing. Before continuing down the stunning alpine Milford Road, make a brief stop in Te Anau. Pose for shots while admiring the breathtaking vistas in Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobbs Flat, or Monkey Creek. As you approach the visitor terminal, be awed by the glacially carved Milford Sound.

3. Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Milford Sound is a beautiful habitat for birdlife, dolphins, fur seals, and endangered species such as the Fiordland Crested Penguin, which is nestled within Fiordland National Park. Milford Sound, rich in geological formations, mesmerising waterfalls, and, predictably, one of the most amazing scenic day tours to undertake in New Zealand, is a marvel at any time of year and in any weather. Set sail across the sea on a purpose-built catamaran from Milford Sound Cruise Terminal to experience the unique wildlife of one of the South Island's most gorgeous sights. Onboard, enjoy complimentary tea and coffee, and when reserving, choose from a variety of delectable lunch selections.

4. Scenic Flight

Fiordland Helicopters provides scenic helicopter flights over the most beautiful parts of the Fiordland World Heritage Park.

This contains the world-famous Milford Sound as well as the less well-known Doubtful and Dusky Sounds. Our National Park concessions allow for several landings and give you the opportunity to choose your own flight path and landing spot. We are not restricted to landing spots along renowned scenic flight routes. This independence, along with the knowledge of our experienced pilots, is crucial in their mission to show you the best of Fiordland.

5. Milford Sound Discover More Cruise

Explore the fiord's splendour on a vessel designed specifically for the best viewing. Enjoy a great lunch, complimentary tea and coffee, and a visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory on a day tour.
Climb onboard a purpose-built catamaran at the Milford Sound Cruise Terminal for an authentic and insightful tour of the fiord. Get up close and personal with some of the world's most stunning rock faces and waterfalls. As you sail by the native seals basking on the rocks, join the skipper in the open wheelhouse and say hello. Local nature guides will guarantee that you learn about the sanctuary's fauna, natural heritage, and history. Onboard, you'll be treated to a delightful picnic meal.

6. Boutique Small Boat Cruise

Join this award-winning, family-owned and run company for a once-in-a-lifetime event. Milford Sound will be explored in a local manner, with knowledgeable local guides who will share their knowledge and interesting anecdotes with you. The smaller boats will get you much closer to the cascading waterfalls and will allow you to get up close and personal with the local wildlife, such as NZ Fur Seals and Bottlenose Dolphins. A "Glacial Facial", besides the beautiful Sterling Falls, is an unforgettable experience.

7. Milford Sound Fly Cruise

Take off from Queenstown and fly over Central Otago's rocky countryside before going west to the glacial-fed rivers that pour into Lake Wakatipu. As you travel through two amazing National Parks, Mt Aspiring and the world heritage-listed Fiordland National Park, you will see what the power of nature has built over time.

8. Tramp the Hollyford Track

It's advisable to explore one of New Zealand's most popular wilderness habitats and go to those hard-to-reach places on foot. The Hollyford Track is at the top of our hiking list in Fiordland National Park, which contains some of the country's best multi-day hikes. You're likely to be blown away by the landscape on any multi-day trip in Fiordland National Park, so the expense and popularity of the track are the only factors to consider when picking a tramp. With less expensive hut accommodation than the Great Walks, less promotion, but nonetheless well-maintained facilities, planning your 4-6 day hiking trip here should be rather simple. For the rest, simply take in the breathtaking scenery.

9. Kepler Track Great Walk

The Kepler Track is another excellent multi-day hike. This specially designed Great Walk begins with a tough ascent into the mountains, but if the weather cooperates, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views. The wooded sections of the trip, which are commonly regarded as "enchanting," are another highlight. The Kepler Track is a 60-kilometre (37-mile) loop that takes three to four days to complete. It is even accessible on foot from Te Anau. Remember that Fiordland has a lot of rain, so plan on at least one rainy day during your vacation.

10. Hike to the Key Summit

This Fiordland National Park must-do list includes one of the highlights of the Milford Sound Road, which is simply too good to pass up. The Routeburn Track Great Walk includes the Key Summit trek, but it can also be reached from The Divide on the Milford Road. The Key Summit is reached after a 2-hour zigzag hike that offers amazing mountain views from all sides. The return track takes roughly 3 hours to complete.