National Parks

Te Anau is often considered the capital of national park tours in New Zealand.
It is the gateway to Fiordland National Park, one of the country’s largest and most famous national parks, and is also close to Mount Aspiring National Park. This makes Te Anau a central base for exploring stunning national park landscapes, including fiords, mountains, lakes, and native forests.

New Zealand’s national parks offer some of the most unforgettable natural experiences, from majestic fiords and glacier-carved valleys to soaring alpine peaks and pristine wilderness. Popular tours include the Milford Sound Fly | Cruise | Fly, which combines a scenic flight over Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks with a cruise through dazzling Milford Sound, and the Milford Sound Tour & Cruise with Picnic Lunch for a full-day exploration of dramatic fjords and waterfalls. In the South Island, the Mt Aspiring Full Day Canyon tour lets you explore alpine river valleys and glacial scenery, while the Aoraki Mt Cook Tour from Queenstown brings you into the heart of New Zealand’s tallest mountain’s national park with stunning mountain vistas. For a close-up glacier adventure, the Glenorchy Glacier Express offers an aerial journey and glacier landing deep in Mount Aspiring National Park. Other favourites include the Southern Glacier Experience for panoramic views of rugged peaks, the Rob Roy Glacier Hike for a guided alpine walk, and multi-day itineraries like the 3-Day Milford Sound Tour via Wa-l-ter Peak that immerse you in Fiordland’s wild landscapes. These tours showcase New Zealand’s diverse protected landscapes and make it easy to experience national parks up close.

New Zealand has 13 national parks in total.
These parks protect some of the country’s most iconic natural landscapes, including fiords, mountains, forests, and coastal areas. Some of the most famous ones are Fiordland National Park, Tongariro National Park, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, and Abel Tasman National Park.

When visiting New Zealand’s national parks, you should expect variable and changeable weather that can shift quickly throughout the day. In many parks, temperatures generally follow the seasons — summer (December to February) brings mild to warm days with more settled conditions and longer daylight hours, while winter (June to August) can be cool to cold, especially at higher altitudes, with frost and snow possible even outside of winter months. Rain and cloudier conditions are common throughout the year, and some parks like Fiordland experience frequent rain, strong winds, and rapid shifts between sunshine and showers, so being prepared for all conditions is important. Because mountain and alpine areas can have more extreme weather and temperature swings, it’s a good idea to check forecasts before heading out, dress in layers, and bring waterproof gear so you’re comfortable regardless of what the weather does while you explore the parks.

Yes, New Zealand’s national parks can be very family-friendly, especially when you choose tours and activities suited to children and all ages. There are a number of national park tours that are suitable for families, offering breathtaking scenery without too much physical strain. Popular kid-friendly options include Milford Sound Fly | Cruise | Fly, which combines a scenic flight with a gentle cruise through dramatic fiords that even young children can enjoy, and Milford Sound Tour & Cruise with Picnic Lunch, providing an easy-paced way to experience world-famous waterfalls and wildlife. Other tours in and around national parks offer relaxed guided explorations of iconic areas like Fiordland and Aoraki/Mt Cook with minimal walking required, as well as shorter nature walks and coach tours that allow families to take in stunning landscapes comfortably. These kinds of experiences make New Zealand’s national parks a great choice for family travel, with options that balance adventure, comfort, and memorable views.