Milford Sound
Taking a cruise at the world famous Milford Sound
NEW ZEALAND
Milford Sound, located on the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Carved by glaciers during the ice ages, the landscape of Milford Sound is characterized by towering cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, and lush rainforest. Mitre Peak, rising over 1,600 m above sea level, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the area.
Getting to Milford Sound was a bit of a journey as the road can be closed for periods of time during the winter months due to avalanche risk. When we first booked our cruise we had to connect with the cruise company and get a refund as the road was closed for several days and we weren't able to make it up. We did a few more days of exploring in the Te Anau area and then the road finally opened up and we were able to make our way to this iconic area.
On the boat cruise, we were treated to multiple waterfalls and wildlife galore. There were dolphins jumping in the ship's wake and seals who took over the jagged outcrop of rocks on the shoreline. We were surrounded by majestic fjords and towering mountains covered in lush greenery. The air was crisp and pure, and the tranquility of the sound was awe-inspiring. The ship pulled up to one of the cascading waterfalls where you could raise a glass and drink straight from the falls.
The knowledgeable guides provided insightful commentary about the region's geology, wildlife, and history, enriching our understanding of this natural wonder. The Milford Sound was a truly unforgettable experience, as we were immersed in the beauty and serenity of one of the most stunning landscapes in the world.
I attached a camera to the bow of the ship to capture the entire journey in a time-lapse as we sailed through the fjord.
It was truly an unforgettable experience and we were thrilled to have been able to get such an amazingly clear day. On our way back to Te Anau we stopped at the Gertrude Valley Lookout and Mirror Lake.
Unfortunately we didn't make it much past Mirror Lakes as our van decided to have a catastrophic engine failure and needing to be towed into the town of Te Anau. But that's a story for another blog post. Happy exploring!
Milford Sound is also known for its rainy weather with it raining nearly 200 days each year. The day we arrived was no different as it was soggy and wet when we checked into the Milford sound campervan park. However the next day we were treated to blue skies and great visibility. We were thrilled as we had booked an early morning boat cruise around the fjord. As we walked over to the terminal the water was extra calm in the morning and like a mirror reflected the breathtaking scenery that surrounded us.
We asked another fellow early riser to take our photo and he jokingly asked if we wanted just us or to include the snowcapped Llawrenny Peaks in the background. Needless to say I think he got the shot.
