New Zealand: inside Fiordland’s Milford Sound
A trip to New Zealand’s South Island is incomplete without a visit to the Fiordland National Park. A stop at one or both of Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound is also highly recommended, as they are some of the most popular destinations in New Zealand and on the South Island. From Queenstown, I sided with Real Journeys for a daytrip out to Milford Sound: morning coach on the only road access, Milford Sound Highway (State Highway 94), from Queenstown to Milford Sound; a boat into the fiord; and the return to Queenstown by plane. The Maori Ngai Tahu name for the body of water is Piopiotahi (“one piopio bird”). The piopio resembles a thrush but is considered extinct with the last sighting in 1905.
Much of the scenery reminds me of my home province: coastal British Columbia. Carved by glacial activity, Fjords (also spelled “fiords”) are long narrow inlets with steep sides or cliffs. My time in southwest New Zealand reminds me of home along the southwest coast of British Columbia.
Lake Te Anau, Te Anau
Winter cloud over Lake Te Anau
At west exit of the Homer Tunnel
At west exit of Homer Tunnel
The Kea (Nestor notabilis) lives in forest and alpine regions; it’s the world’s only “alpine parrot”.
At west exit of Homer Tunnel
At west exit of Homer Tunnel
Kea (Nestor notabilis).
Northwest from Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound: peeking behind the massive wall in the background at left-centre is Odyssey Peak (1821 metres / 5974 feet) in the Sheerdown Hills.
Construction and expansion of dock facilities at Milford Sound
The “Fiordland Navigator” is coming in
Bright winter day in Milford Sound
Outbound, Milford Sound
Outbound, Milford Sound
Where Milford Sound meets the Pacific Ocean
Towering over Milford Sound
From the Pacific, southeast return into Milford Sound
Facing southeast in Milford Sound: sharp snow-covered peak at left is Sheerdown Peak; the central peak in the background is Odyssey Peak; and the peak to the right is Mount Philipps. Building structures in Milford Sound village are just visible at lower-left.
Facing west from Harrison Cove to Mitre Peak (upper right)
Harrison Cove, to Mount Pembroke and Pembroke Glacier
Inbound: moon over high cliffs
Returning to the boat terminal, with Mitre Peak (left) in silhouette
I made these photos on 25 July 2012. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins.com as http://wp.me/p1BIdT-2Od. Disclosure: No Connection, Unpaid, My Own Opinions. I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein
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13 Responses to “New Zealand: inside Fiordland’s Milford Sound”
Beautiful! Wow. Is that Doubtful Sound?
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Hi and thanks, Alli. Unfortunately, no; I’d heard lots about Doubtful Sound, but I didn’t have the 2-3 days planned for that trip. From what I understand, because of its remote location, Doubtful Sound gets fewer visitors. Instead, I visited Milford Sound which is very picturesque, too; I have no regrets about visiting Milford Sound. Thanks for reading and for your comment!
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Well it sure is beautiful, that Milford Sound. Amazing pictures! What time of the year did you go to NZ?
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Hi again, Alli. I spent 3 weeks on New Zealand’s South Island this past July. Even though it was winter, I saw beautiful weather and didn’t see a lot of bad weather on the ground. I see you’re going to the South Island this April, and I think you’re going to have a beautiful time, too! Besides, I want to go back very badly! ๐
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[…] and light • Dunedin: Baldwin Street, steepest in the world • Fiordland: Cruising up and down Milford Sound • Fox Glacier: The slow forest walk up to Fox Glacier • Franz Josef […]
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[…] Milford Sound is known also as Piopiotahi; this view faces west from Harrison Cove to Mitre Peak at … […]
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[…] Milford Sound – 25 July 2012. […]
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[…] Facing west from Harrison Cove to Mitre Peak at upper right (HL). […]
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[…] Kea (Nestor notabilis), world’s only alpine parrot. 1855 Lookout, NZ State Highway 94 – …. […]
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[…] Where Milford Sound meets the Pacific: west side of the South Island – 25 Jul 2012 (450D). […]
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Great story and amazing pics!
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Hi, Nikos and Lina. What is/was your favourite part of New Zealand? Thank you for your comment and for stopping by.
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[…] South Island. After a 5-hour ride from Queenstown on a large comfortable coach/bus, we arrive at Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) and hop onto a 2-hour cruise into the waters of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua). […]
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