| Abel Tasman | Central Plateau to Taranaki | Milford Sound | Wellington Region | Whale Watching |
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| Abel Tasman | Central Plateau to Taranaki | Milford Sound | Wellington Region | Whale Watching | | |||||||||||||||
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Milford sound is one of the most famous fiords, and indeed is one of the most popular tourist spots in New Zealand. Access to Milford sound via road is a journey in itself, there are numerous places to stop and explore on the way in. |
Distinctive view of Mitre Peak |
One of the great ways to see the Sounds is on a cruise. There are a number of operators that run sight seeing cruises |
Starting in Te Anau, there is only one road in and out again. BE WARNED fill your petrol tank in Te Anua, there is little access to fuel once in Milford. The route is 120km long and takes in Homer tunnel
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| When you arrive the fiord is dominated by the 1695
high Mitre Peak. Sunset at Milford sound is absolutely stunning.
Ironically one of the best times to visit the sounds is right after a storm. Waterfalls just spring up every where. There is accommodation to be found, in the sounds. |
One of the best times to see the sounds is at sunset, very much worth waiting for. |
Cruising the Sounds |
The relaxing way to see the sounds is to take one of the many boat cruises, through the fiords. The size of the place is simply awe inspiring; waterfalls that are twice the height of Niagara Falls are simply dwarfed by the sheer rock face of the fiord. The rock face can be 700m high, don’t worry about grounding the boat as the water is 700m deep in places. Definitely a case for keeping hold of your camera, drop that and you won’t be seeing it again. |
| Cruising the sounds by boat is also an excellent way to spot wildlife, New Zealand fur seals are a common site, basking in the sun on the rocks. You may get lucky and see dolphins, playing in the bow wave. For an extra few dollars you can stop off at the underwater observatory. This is well worth a visit as you get to see some of the unique, sea life of the fiord, and get a view of just how steep the rock face is. |
Kea Mountain Parrots are common place on the road into Milford. (Watch your windscreen wipers) |
Vertical walls of the sounds |
If you are pushed for time you can take scenic flights from Queenstown, which give a unique aerial view of the sounds. If you have time to spare and are feeling energetic then the milford track is New Zealand most famous hike. |
| If you can take the time to explore the Fiord land National park there are a number of shorter hike that can be taken. |
Fiordland National park |
Showing the shear scale of the place |
I chose to take the track up to Key Summit, which is a steady 3 hour round trip. The Alpine oasis is certainly worth the climb. The track to Key Summit forms part of the routeburn track. As with so many places in New Zealand you could easily spend a couple of weeks exploring Fiord land. |
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