#but it requires you to go on a multiple day hiking trip which is notoriously traumatic

[parkercore-69]

everyone who watches Lord of the Rings and claims Frodo was whiny has clearly never been on a DofE expedition

[i-am-very-very-tired]

Malibu is like the super-duper ridiculously good looking laid back cousin of the busy version of Los Angeles.

All the beaches and hiking and food… but far fewer people.

Depending on where you’re coming from in L.A. you may have a bit of a drive to get there, but cruising down PCH while admiring  the views of the glistening ocean and rolling waves will make it all worthwhile.

From nature excursions to horseback riding and surfing to going on a wine safari, there’s plenty to see and do in Malibu, and hopefully this brief rundown will help get you started.

Enjoy the list!

1. The Grotto Trail

The Grotto Trail is a relatively easy three-mile (round trip) hike that leads to a grotto and waterfall. If you want a hike without the work and a nice payoff at the end this is for you.

More information 

2. Escondido Falls

The Escondido Falls trail is famous for the 150-foot fall, the tallest in the Santa Monica Mountains. However, because of the drought it’s not likely you’ll find much water there during the hotter seasons but it’s a fun hike and you can still get some great shots among the boulders.

More information

3. Solstice Canyon

Solstice Canyon is a picturesque trail featuring a year-round waterfall and Instagram-worthy views of the ocean. The trail also leads to what remains of a stone cottage destroyed by a wildfire; it’s believed to be the oldest existing stone building in Malibu.

More information

4. Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is a family friendly park with 15 miles of trails and a few swimming holes. It’s also the site of TV shows including Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H and you can still view some of the old cars from the set if you stay on Crags Road. Like Escondido Falls, the water level is low but the swimming holes are deep enough to dip into.

More information 

5. Mishe Mokwa Trail

The Mishe Mokwa Trail leads to Sandstone Peak, the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains and a favorite among hikers. Go on a clear day for the best views and head out early as it’s a 6-mile trail but trust me, it’s worth it. Along the trail there are a few attractions including the Split Rock, Balancing Rock, and Inspiration Point (stop and take it all in). There’s a summit register where you can sign your name or write an inspirational quote (it’s very Reese Witherspoon in Wild).

More information

6. Go Horseback Riding with The Malibu Riders

Explore Malibu in a whole new way riding horseback through Zuma Canyon. The ride is an hour long and provides amazing views of the ocean. Go on a clear and sunny day to take full advantage of the scenery.

More Information

7. Visit the Amazing Beaches…

If Malibu has one thing in spades it’s natural beauty and nowhere is that more evident than the ocean. If you visit early in the morning when whales migrate (Dec.-Jan, April-May) you’re likely to see a gray whale or two plus dolphin pods and seals. I suggest coming before 10:00am for whales but you’ll likely see dolphins and seals throughout the day.

The beauty of this coastal city is that you can visit different beaches and enjoy a different experience.

Below are some of our top picks.

Leo Carrillo is a 1.5 mile beach with tide pools and caves plus a dog friendly zone (on-leash). It goes without saying that Surfrider beach is famous for being an ideal place to ride the waves but if that’s not your thing you can always walk along the pier and enjoy a meal at Malibu Farm or visit Adamson beach house or the Malibu Lagoon Museum (more info below).  El Matador State beach is favored among those who like to explore the caves and rock formations that have become trademark features but be prepared because you’ll have to walk down a 150-bluff (there are stairs). For a truly laidback experience where you can just lay in the sand and take a dip in the ocean, Zuma beach is a local favorite. Paradise Cove is one of the most famous beaches in Malibu because it’s private and you’re allowed to bring alcohol (just no hard liquor) though it’s also notorious for its $40 parking fee (unless you pay a minimum of $30 at the cafe then it’s $6). If you’re up for the novelty of it and budget accordingly you get to enjoy a private beach experience so there’s that.

Oh and don’t forget about Point Dume / Westward Beach…

8. Malibu Coastal Adventures

If you want to go all out and really embrace the Malibu way then you gotta do more than just swim or sun bathe. Malibu Coastal Adventures offers paddle boarding, surfing lessons and whale/dolphin watching boat excursions.

More information

via Malibu Coastal Adventures / YouTube

9. Go Shopping at the Malibu Country Mart

If you’re going to spend the day out anywhere you’re bound to want to stop and shop. Malibu Country Mart has a laidback vibe but it’s definitely a spot to hit up if you’re willing to splurge on upscale brands (7 for All Mankind, L’Occitane, John Varvatos etc). If you’re looking for treats though, Grom Malibu  is celebrated for their gelatos, Malibu Kitchen stocks plenty of sweet treats though I’m partial to their paninis while Taverna Tony‘s Greek restaurant features live music and belly dancers. Parking is plentiful (a rarity in L.A.) and as an outdoor shopping center you still get to enjoy that Malibu sunshine.

More information

10. Go Scuba Diving

Malibu Divers offers beginner’s courses for scuba diving. (Note: Depending on the experience you select the lessons maybe span multiple days).

More information 

https://www.instagram.com/p/0gFjuwxU4n/?taken-by=malibudivers

11. Malibu Family Wines

Malibu Family Wines hosts multiple activities including Yoga & Mimosas, Sips & Giggles comedy night and Movie Night (July-October) but you can always keep it simple and come with your own cheese platter and blankets for a nice picnic.

More information

12. Go on a Wine Safari

Malibu Wine Safari is as exotic as it sounds with a little vino and a slew of exotic animals. The trip takes you around the 1,000 acre vineyard that’s home to alpacas, zebras, giraffes, and even bison which you can feed!!! Carrots, pellets, and bananas are provided along with two tastings of locally-sourced vino.

More information

https://www.instagram.com/p/4-gzRwCN0i/?taken-by=malibusafaris

13. Visit the Adamson House

Adamson House is a national historic site near Surfrider Beach built in 1929. The home is small but full of unique touches like hand- carved doors, hand painted frescoes and beautifully crafted details in every room. The docent (only available for tours) happily shares the history of the home and the family that built it. While photography is not allowed inside you can photograph and roam the garden area.

More information

14. Spend a Day at the Getty Villa

The Getty Villa (technically in the Pacific Palisades but let’s not be technical) is a work of art onto itself modeled after a Roman country house from the first century in Italy. The Villa houses ancient Greek and Roman art and has four gardens with Roman models and, for an additional sense of authenticity, plants from the ancient Mediterranean. (Note: Admission is free but timed-entry tickets are required and parking is $15)

More information

15. Upscale Dining Options

Nobu

If you want to splurge and indulge than this is the place. The restaurant serves up fusion cuisine (Japan x Peru) and is known for their signature dishes of black cod with miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño. There are Malibu-specific items including ribeye with truffle butter and crispy Maui onions so come for the food and linger for the ocean view.

More Information

Geoffrey’s

This is the ultimate upscale Malibu dining experience. It’s oceanside, intimate and they’re famous for their lively and delicious brunch but whenever you decide to go make sure you order the baked brie in puff pastry.

More Information

https://www.instagram.com/p/gcVDojDs-m/?taken-by=nobumalibu

16. Casual Dining Options

Malibu Seafood

It’s an unassuming eatery along PCH so it’s fresh food that’s literally from across the street. My personal favorite is the fish and chips but you really can’t go wrong with any of the seafood dishes and the ocean view.

More Information 

Neptune’s Net

In case the name didn’t give it away, this eatery -established in 1956- prides itself on serving up fresh seafood. Get the basket to share (or for yourself, not judging) and the clam chowder because it really is as good as they want you to think it is.

More Information

Malibu Farm (Cafe & Restaurant)

It’s organic and fresh and they serve grilled chocolate cake, what else is there to say? This eatery is right on the pier so staying to watch the sunset is a must.

[danasukontarak]

Dana’s Travel Diary: Bali’n Out in Indonesia

International travel ideas often seem lofty, unattainable, reserved only for posh socialites with daddy’s bread to blow. I know I’m not the only 20-something who ever felt relegated to perusing Wikitravel or thumbing through the pages of an issue of Afar Magazine to get my affordable adventure fix. Admittedly, successful and seamless international travel also requires a decently-paying job and some tenacity for saving (at least one or the other). Before working at my current job and having both a salary and bountiful PTO, travel was not impossible, but far more limited by time and money. That said, the place I’d always had my eye on, the place that seemed overflowing with natural and spiritual wonder, was Bali.

The most popular travel destination in all of Indonesia, Bali is a quirky little anomaly of an island within a country with a notoriously harsh governmental regime. The people of Indonesia began to elect their president just 13 years ago in 2004. The penalties for drug crimes are harsh. On the trip, we only uttered the word “ganja” once, to a tatted-up taxi driver with ear gauges. His reply: no. As a man vacationing from Jakarta told me on Kuta Beach, cracking open a can of Bintang (Indonesia’s Heineken), “You know Bali, but you don’t know Indonesia.”

The people in Bali practice Balinese Hinduism. In fact, they are the only part of Indonesia that is not predominantly Muslim. The women wore colorful three-quarter lace shirts, patterned sarongs, and sashes eloquently tied around their slim waists. They walked with baskets on their heads, babies slung round their shoulders. Guys wore patterned headbands and also wore artfully tied sarongs around their waists. Frangipani and incense offerings in stapled banana leaf trays litter the sidewalks and windowsills of nearly every building we passed in Bali. The Balinese women prepare these at multiple times throughout the day, a pleasant floral reminder of this island’s unique culture. 

I paid for my flight in early October, for a trip I took in late January. I was able to find a roundtrip ticket for the 10,000 mile journey for $750. (That’s only 7.5 cents per mile!) Tickets can run an upwards of $1,200 from D.C. to Denpasar, so I grabbed these before the weird online airline algorithm and Big Brother saw hearts in my eyes and hiked up the price before I could click submit. Reminder: always browse flights on Incognito Mode. 

Before traveling, my research was limited. Basic research is necessary, of course, such as what the currency and conversion rate is (Indonesian rupiah [IDR], roughly 13,000 per USD), or where your hotel is in relation to the airport, or what season and general climate it will be during your stay. I talked to my friend Claudia, who’d been to Bali a few months before. I checked out a few major tourist destinations online (the must-sees), and left the rest up to fate, as I tend to do. 

We departed from Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C. I traveled with my ex-boyfriend, the awkward result of planning for trips in super advance but not planning on a breakup. It worked out, though. I was glad to be traveling internationally not just with another person, but a man. I never felt endangered at all during my trip, but I had no idea what the general atmosphere would be like. There were a few notable times I was relieved to have had his male presence (i.e. when I panicked over a lizard in the hotel room; when we wanted to travel by motor scooter through congested streets; when I had to carry a bowling ball of a fresh coconut through Ubud). Major media would love to have you believe that, as a traveling woman, you’ll be kidnapped and sold into sex slavery. I feel you run this risk at equivalent levels no matter where you go. TBH. No need to be scared or paranoid, but also remember: a little common sense and alertness go a long way when traveling.

Our flight was 22 hours, collectively. The route was D.C. to Detroit to Incheon (South Korea) and finally to Bali. The meals on board the Korean Air flight from Detroit to Incheon were hit or miss. Bibimbap was a hit. Everything else (seafood and potatoes, beef and vegetables, etc.) was an extreme miss. During one meal, I opened an applesauce-cup of the softest tofu I’d ever seen in my life - it was almost liquid. I looked around to see if the Asians on board were on board with this virtual tofu smoothie. It looked like no cup was left uneaten, besides mine.

When we arrived in Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, we were approached immediately by a seemingly friendly and helpful taxi driver. It was past midnight and he stuck by us quite adamantly as we fumbled with our phones as they attempted to pick up Indonesian cell service. He offered his phone so that I could call my hotel and arrange an impromptu middle-of-the-night check-in (which I hadn’t prepared for). I watched the driver, Norman, wave away other people also appearing to be in need of his assistance. What I figured was that he had an eye for Americans, or rather, our American dollars. In my limited experience, the most money you will spend on transportation whenever traveling internationally, is the cab ride from the airport to your lodging destination. Norman charged us $55. We didn’t ask the price prior to departing, but we’d assumed it was cheap because of the way he described pricing of hostels and homestays. This was the single most expensive charge during our time in Bali; it is an unheard-of taxi price once actually anywhere in Bali besides the airport.

When searching for hotels prior to the trip, I saw that the average price of a pretty nice hotel over there was not much more that what you’d pay for a shitty hotel here. I used Expedia points (earned from flights over the past few years) to get a discount on already-affordable 4-star resorts. The first hotel we stayed at was Blue Karma Resort in Ubud. They were very accommodating and welcomed us in at nearly 2 in the morning, showing us to a very lovely hut-style room with outdoor shower and cabana. In the morning, we also saw that there was a beautiful shared infinity pool, and a nice on-site restaurant with yummy breakfast and fresh fruit salad. 

The hotel was in a somewhat remote area, but shuttle/taxi/scooter service was abundant. In Ubud, there are many street markets with cool pants (I bought three), keychains, native trinkets and the like. Ask “How much?” but be prepared to be given a price marked up with the Gringo tax. Counter with a reasonable offer, and they’ll most likely be glad to accept. It’s cool to negotiate with vendors and taxi drivers - do not expect to negotiate in restaurants with posted prices, or anywhere else where you are actually billed. 

Also, tipping is a nice gesture, but service fees are generally built in to all charges, especially at hotels and restaurants. I did, however, leave tips for the cleaning staff at each hotel - just a dollar or two, which I’d read is the equivalent of many of their entire day’s salaries. 

In Ubud, we walked down a busy street to get to the Sacred Monkey Forest. Taxi drivers beckon for your business every three steps. Stray dogs dodge pedestrians skillfully, while others nap between scooters and storefront steps. Entry to the monkey forest is about 3 USD, and vendors inside sell bunches of bananas to feed to them. If you hold banana above your head, they’ll climb up your body to grab it. If you aren’t vigilant, monkeys will snatch any loose items from your pockets or hands. We lost a pack of rolling papers to one stealthy monkey, who then pulled it apart like an accordion and abandoned it upon discovering it was inedible. 

On the second day started at 2 A.M., when we left in a shuttle to go on the Mt. Batur sunrise trek. Mt. Batur is an active volcano that has erupted as recently as 2000. It’s highest point is about a mile up, and the ascent takes about 2.5 hours. The tour company fed us a banana pancake and strong coffee for breakfast, and the hike began in quite the anticlimactic fashion as we stumbled along behind a 19-year-old Balinese guide, criss-crossing paths with many other tour groups. I began to sweat and lose my breath after about 45 minutes, before the hard part even started. Several parts of the path are dangerously rocky, while others are sandy, slippery, and almost impossible to navigate without falling straight down on your ass. When we reached the top, we were given banana sandwiches and an egg boiled in volcano steam (still liquid and almost raw - I fed it to a stray volcano dog). The view was incredible, despite our guide having doubted the sunrise would be visible on such a cloudy day. 

The walk down was easier but still not easy. Our guide held my hand to help me down tricky areas, and asked my ex, “You jealous?”

Food in Bali was delicious and cheap. It seemed that most of the warungs (Indonesian word for small restaurant/eatery) had similar menus, and at most, you could get appetizers, entrees, and beverages for under 15 USD. We ate enough curry, satay, and sambal to last a lifetime.

The next morning, we rode on the backs of scooters to the hidden treasure that is Tegenungan Waterfalls. The ride was pleasantly risky. There’s nothing like accepting a motor scooter ride from a stranger in a foreign country. We passed a butterfly farm and lots of places that sold Buddha statues and carved stone items. We reached the waterfall at about 10 A.M., and a long set of stairs led down to a gorgeous sight.

At that time in the morning, only a few people were there already. The crash of the waterfall was thunderous and humbling. I approached with caution, wading at a respectful distance, enjoying God’s beauty.

The scooter ride back into Ubud was hectic, because we happened to run smack dab into the Saraswati festival, which happens twice a year. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning. My kind of gal. People were flocking out of temples en masse in traditional Balinese dress, and there was a scooter traffic jam amidst the celebration. My driver was incredibly skillful and brazen, getting through the traffic by any means, sidewalk driving, and truck blocking necessary.

Back at Blue Karma, we packed our bags and headed to Nusa Dua to check into our second hotel, Jimbaran Cliffs Private Resort and Spa. The pictures online for this resort looked amazing, its primary draw being the private infinity pool on the terrace of each room. The first thing I did was jump in with a plate of complimentary fresh papaya, pineapple and watermelon.

The area where we stayed in Nusa Dua was a lot different than Ubud, a lot more like a “regular” city. Our hotel, however, was so hidden in the cliffs that we got a taxi driver stuck in a narrow brick alley trying to find it. 

We heard that Aussie surfers and locals at Kuta Beach had the best and easiest access to Bali’s famed magic mushrooms. Though marijuana is highly illegal, shrooms are pretty much normalized. Officially, they became illegal a few years ago, but its availability in Bali is akin to the availability of weed in D.C. On Kuta Beach, we were offered shrooms in Coca-Cola, which we tried but didn’t feel too much. Kuta Beach was extremely dirty, with trash lining the shore and stray dogs snarling at each other. Little old lady vendors won’t leave you alone until you agree to a henna tattoo or a foot massage or a black stone bracelet that’s “cheap, cheap for you.” 

The shopping malls near Kuta Beach are nice, and it was kind of comforting to browse through Zara and H&M while halfway across the globe from home. On our last day, we rented a scooter and took it solo through the city, filling up our tank from a lady on the side of the road with an Absolut bottle full of petrol.

We had a big seafood dinner by the beach on our last night, and headed to the airport for a 1 A.M. flight back to Incheon, and then Detroit, and then D.C. Aside from a slight fiasco with Customs in Detroit over a dragonfruit I’d tried to bring back with me, the journey was alright. This was the second stamp in my adult passport and well worth the extreme jetlag. 

It’s a trip I recommend for anyone with any shred of a sense of adventure to go on, and somewhere I’d definitely consider returning to by myself. If you are considering planning an excursion to beautiful Bali, here is a summary of what I’ve learned, some handy tips based on my experience: 

1: Search flights often and purchase flights early - You can also sign up for price alerts through most travel websites. Remember to browse flights in incognito mode! 2: Know what to expect, but know that you won’t know what to expect - Do SOME research, but more importantly, just be openminded with common sense. 3: Plan ahead for transportation from the airport upon arrival - Check with your hotel before your trip to see if complimentary shuttle/taxi service from the airport is provided! You may also want to call and arrange a taxi ride beforehand if possible, to avoid the higher fees at the airport. 4: Stay in more than one hotel and explore multiple areas while in Bali - Each place has a different vibe. Stay in at least two areas. DON’T stay in a Hilton or other American chain hotel - you’ll be cheating yourself. 5: Negotiate prices, and check multiple options - It’s ok to negotiate prices in most instances. Vendors will always start off high. 6: Do everything, immerse yourself in the culture, be kind to locals - It would be a good idea to download Google Translate and download the Indonesian language library, just in case you don’t have service and need to translate something for a local. 7: Be careful with shrooms and DON’T check for weed - Weed is a no-no in Bali, but shrooms can be risky (especially if you are unaware of the potency and dosage). 8: Don’t try to bring a dragonfruit home with you - CBP will be on that ass.

[campfiresandsandcastles]

Yosemite National Park

Honestly, not my favorite of the National Parks. Blasphemy you say?! I know, I know, I should be burned at the stake for admitting it. Ansel Adams spent a good portion of his career taking photos of just this park. How could it not be my favorite too? Well, it’s not. And it’s not because there aren’t some spectacular views, because there are, but as a whole experience, it’s just not my favorite of the Parks. 

And it’s mostly not my favorite Park because of YOU PEOPLE! I’m kidding. It’s a popular park,  let's just not all go on the same day, okay? Yosemite Valley just isn’t big enough to handle all of us at once. In fact, they are having a REALLY hard time handling the 5 million people a year who visit it now.

This Park is very popular

We visited in June 2017, the second week after the kids got out of school, and it was packed. There were signs 10 miles outside the Highway 120 gate entrance warning incomers that all parking was full and there was a 3 HOUR wait to travel through or park in the Valley. THREE HOURS? The Valley clearly just isn’t big enough to handle all of the visitors.

So, we did what many do and left our campsite at Yosemite Lakes campground at 6:30am to be sure to get a parking spot at Half Dome Village parking before 8:00am when they all fill up. Then we left our car in the same spot all day and took the shuttle around to all the various attractions. However, the shuttle only runs every 20 minutes even during the busy times, and everyone is encouraged to use the shuttle, so they are PACKED to the brim. Ultimately, we ended up walking everywhere, which wasn’t bad, except it was raining and even sleeting. Good times.

It was so cloudy and rainy during this visit that we couldn’t even see one of the iconic monoliths, Half Dome. Bummer.

Drive Highway 120

The drive into the Park via Highway 120 is breathtaking and probably the best part. You exit one of the tunnels on your drive and are immediately faced with this spectacular view down the valley. Everyone hits their brakes and pulls over. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E. It is that spectacular.

Hike to Vernal Falls

We started our morning on the hike to the foot bridge of Vernal Falls (about 0.8 miles one way). Be forewarned, this hike is mostly uphill. It should have occurred to me given you are hiking towards the top of a waterfall, but it didn’t at the time, so I share with you the wisdom I gained. It’s a lot of uphill. There are some spots to stop along the way that provide some great views of the various peaks. And be on the lookout for mountain climbers on those peaks too, which is fun.

The Winter of 2016-17 resulted in record amounts of rain and snow pack, so the Merced River, which runs through the Valley, was swollen and raging. The amount of power in that water is amazing and on the verge of kinda scary. It just roars down the falls.

Yosemite Village

After the hike down from the falls, we took a shuttle to Yosemite Village where we grabbed a quick lunch of burgers, fries, and the likes at the little grill outside the Village Store. We wandered through the various buildings that make up Yosemite Village, partially to stay dry and warm, then hopped a crammed shuttle again to drive by Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls (too wet to do the hike) and stop at Yosemite Valley Lodge. The lodge isn’t much to look at, and the kids wanted to see the “The Majestic Yosemite Hotel” (more famously known as the Ahwahnee Lodge), so we hopped on a crammed shuttle again and headed to the Ahwahnee. The trip to the Ahwahnee required that we change shuttles, but even the shuttles were stuck in the traffic in the Valley, so it was faster for us to just walk. During our decision to do so, we met an adorable Australian couple at the shuttle stop who were abandoned by their tour bus at the stop and were expected to hop a shuttle with all of their luggage to the Ahwahnee where they were staying for the night. Instead, we shared carrying their luggage at various times and hiked it to the Ahwahnee together.

The Ahwahnee was not quite what I remembered it. I thought there was a grand view out the windows that overlooked the valley and peaks, similar to the lodge on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, but that is not true. The formal dining room is grand; however, it is expensive ($55 for Sunday brunch) and you must dress appropriately for dinner. Sopping wet hiking gear is frowned upon.

We pretty much ended our adventure there…hiked and shuttled it back to our car and entered the long line of one-lane traffic past the village and out of the park. Whew.

Try an alternative adventure

If I was to visit this park again, I think I’d do it differently and avoid the Yosemite Village, Ahwahnee, and Half Dome Village areas as much as possible. Start at the entrance from Highway 120, enjoy the spectacular view of the Valley outside the tunnel along the drive in. Stop at Bridalveil Fall and enjoy the falls to the south and El Capitan to the north. Continue along Southside Drive stopping whenever you see a great view or point that interests you. Swing around to the Northside Drive on the cut over just past the Chapel. Drive by Yosemite Falls and stop many times on the way out of the park to enjoy views of the Three Brothers, El Capitan, and various falls and meadows that can be teaming with wildlife. We were in such a hurry to get a parking spot in the morning that we didn’t stop enough on the drive in, and we were so exhausted at the end of the day, that we didn’t stop on the way out of the park. And both that drive in and out really provide some of the best views of the park.

Helpful hints

Location: Located in central-eastern California. Multiple access road from the West and South, limited access from the East. Check for road closures before you visit.

My recommendation: I highly recommend you try the alternative adventure mentioned above instead of visiting the Village, or visit an area of the park other than the Valley.

Bears: Yes. This park is notorious for bears.

For more information: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

[domonthego]

If you have ever watched a documentary about New Zealand, chances are you will have seen the natural beauty of Fiordland National Park. Scenes of moody rain clouds pummeling lush, green forests? Slow motion videos of dolphin pods jumping out of the water? How about those waterfalls shooting over massive rocks into stunning fiords? Yes – these are the impressions left by Fiordland National Park.

At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand. It’s beautiful, dramatic and the epitome of the great outdoors.

If you are heading to this region for some adventure, you are going to need a good base. Look no further than Te Anau. This little town serves as the gateway to the national park and is a perfect place to take in what the region has to offer. Te Anau is no more than a couple hours from any of the major highlights and means very little backtracking needed if you are driving yourself through the South Island. During our stay, we booked a room at the centrally located Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas. While the town itself is not large, ensuring you stay within walking distance of Main Street will make your life easier.

With so much to see and do, you could easily spend your whole trip in and around the park. Here are some things that you shouldn’t miss when heading to Fiordland National Park.

//THE SOUNDS

You can’t come to Fiordland without checking out the Fiords (and Sounds) – right? Right. (Quick geology lesson: Fiords and sounds are similar but differ in the way in which they are created. The former by slow moving glaciers and the latter by sea flooded river valleys that carve and create this landscape.) There are many fiords that span the 215km coast of Fiordland National Park. The one you have probably heard most about is Milford Sound. It’s the only fiord that is accessible by car and is therefore the most visited. Milford Highway from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic routes in New Zealand. We made our way to Milford very early for our cruise to avoid the coaches coming in from Queenstown. Given the sheer numbers of tour busses coming in on our departure, I am very glad we did.

Coming Soon: Destinations //Milford Sound

Want a less touristy and more authentic sound experience? Check out Doubtful Sound. Doubtful is a tad more difficult to get to as it requires a short ride to Manapouri, a boat ride across Manapouri Lake and then another drive to get to the actual sound itself. It’s why most tourists make their way to Milford instead. We joined Doubtful Sound Kayak for a full day out paddling through and exploring the sounds. What a contrast! Best part? We had the whole of the sounds to ourselves! If you have time on your side, be sure to make the extra trip and get both perspectives.

Coming Soon: Destinations // Doubtful Sound

//THE LAKES

The two main towns you’ll find in Fiordland National Park are Te Anau and Manapouri. Both just so happen to sit on beautiful lakes and offer plenty of scenic cruises and water-based activities.

Lake Te Anau carries the title of the South Island’s largest lake and after Taupo, (Destinations // Taupo) is second largest in New Zealand. It’s hard to miss the lake as the town of Te Anau practically sits on the bankside. A popular outing on the lake includes a scenic cruise with Real Journeys to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. The outing takes you across the lake to the western banks of Lake Te Anau. You also get to learn about glowworms as you board a smaller boat and float deep into the underground caves. Sitting in silence as thousands of luminating glowworms flicker overhead was a magical experience. Throw in the fact that your journey in and out is backdropped by the snowcapped Mt. Luxmore and the Murchison range – and you have got yourself a great day out.

If you head further south, you’ll be able to experience one of New Zealand’s most beautiful lakes ��� Lake Manapouri. Nestled in the mountains, this lake has multiple small islands and plenty of sandy beaches. In the 1950’s there were plans to flood this lake for power generation. An environmental movement took place in New Zealand to prevent this from happening. The result? The creation of the West Arm Power Station – the largest underground power station in the southern hemisphere. While most people who come to Manapouri are passing through for their Doubtful Sound excursions, tours of the power station are also sometimes available (maintenance is currently taking place so station tours are not available until September 2017).

//THE WALKS

If you love to hike (or tramp as it’s known in New Zealand), then you are probably aware that New Zealand is known for having some of the best trails in the world. In fact, the country has 9 “Great Walks” that are world renowned and draw in tons of local and international tourists every year. Fiordland National Park is lucky enough to have three of these famous multi-day treks – the Milford, Kepler and Routeburn Tracks. There are plenty of options to hit the trails on your own or with a guide. As we were travelling long term and were not carrying all the necessary gear, we opted to book the Routeburn Track with Ultimate Hikes. They handled securing our permits and all the logistics for our 3Day/2Night trek.

Coming Soon: Destinations //Routeburn Track

Regardless of your preferred hiking style, one thing is true – booking a permit in advance is a must (especially during peak season of October – April) to avoid disappointment. The New Zealand Department of Conservation Website is the best resource to get up to date information on your Great Walk options and availability. Making a trip out to Fiordland National Park means you are heading to the “Walking Capital of The World” – don’t miss the opportunity see what the fuss is all about.

When it comes to things to do in Fiordland National Park – the possibilities are endless. I’d suggest popping into the Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre in Te Aanu to see what special events are going on and what additional activities may interest you.

Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Address: 19 Town Centre Te Anau 9600

Phone: +64 3-249 8900

TIP: Don’t forget your bug spray. There is a reason why this area has so few people living in it. The sandflies in Fiordland National Park are notoriously pesky and their bites can put a damper on your trip.

ENJOY FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK? BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MORE OF NEW ZEALAND OR OTHER PLACES VENTURED IN THE REGION AT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand. It’s beautiful. It’s dramatic. It’s the epitome of the great outdoors. Check it out here. #Fiordland #NewZealand #TravelBlog If you have ever watched a documentary about New Zealand, chances are you will have seen the natural beauty of Fiordland National Park.