newzeland beautiful park

Fiordland National Park

 

 

Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand in the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes, and its steep, ocean-flooded western valleys. The name "Fiordland" comes from a variant spelling of the Scandinavian word for this type of steep valley, "fjord". The area of Fiordland is dominated by, and very roughly coterminous with, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand's largest National Park.

Vegetation and wildlife

The wildlife in this area include dolphins, seals and birds. Introduced species include mice, rats, hare and deer. Among the birds are the kakapo, the only flightless parrot in the world. Also there is the kiwi, which is native to New Zealand. The park is heavily forested with Nothofagus trees, a large variety of understory shrubs and ferns being present; examples of the forest floor vegetation include crown fern, Blechnum discolor.^[2]

Public access

Road access to Fiordland is restricted to the Milford Road (SH 94), which runs north from Te Anau, skirting the edge of the park before entering it close to the headwaters of the Eglinton River. From there it crosses the northwest corner of the park, reaching its terminus at Milford Sound. South of Te Anau a smaller road links to Manapouri. A minor road links Doubtful Sound with the western edge of Lake Manapouri via the Wilmot Pass.
Light aircraft and helicopter services link with Milford Sound, which also has a small boat marina.
Parts of Fiordland National Park are a designated Wilderness Area and aircraft landings are not permitted.

Activities

The park is a popular destination for alpine climbers and especially for trampers, with the Milford, Kepler, Hollyford and Routeburn Tracks all in or close to the park.
Fiordland is a challenging tramping destination. There are few tracks. Off-track travel often relies on following deer trails. Sandflies, flooding and poor weather are a hazard.
Other tourists are attracted to areas such as Milford Sound.