New Zealand Trip Report, Day 11: Milford Sound, Day 12: Glenorchy

Day 11, Feb 28, 2017, Tuesday:

The Māori named the sound Piopiotahi after the thrush-like piopio bird, now extinct.  Māui their Hero  died in the attempt of trying to win immortality for mankind a piopio bird flew here in mourning.

The fjord was discovered by Europeans in.1812 and the Captain named it Milford Haven after his homeland in Wales.

Milford Sound Cruise:

Milford Sound is 307 km from Queenstown by road(about four hours' drive), with tour buses to the sound departing from Queenstown early morning. 

We chose to stay at the smaller town of Te Anau, 121 km away... so a drive of 2 to 2 1/2 hours if we don't stop anywhere.

The drive to Milford Sound itself passes through unspoiled mountain landscapes before entering the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel which emerges into rain-forest-carpeted canyons that descend to the sound.

There are several scenic spots on the way where one can hike... we chose to drive straight to the sound, have our cruise in relative peace and do the hikes on our drive back, worked out GREAT!

FJORD VS SOUND:

Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is the most visited NZ attraction.

Now what is the difference between a fjord and a sound?

A fjord is a long, narrow water inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by glacial erosion

A sound is often formed by the sea flooding a river valley. So basically the difference is the origin...

In experience, both are awesome as we sail in waters surrounded by high cliffs. We have had a fantastic time driving in Norway along Hardangerfjord, Lofoten islands and cruising in the famed Sognefjord.

[http://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2016/09/norway-trip-report-days-3-4-norway-in.html]

We were excited and ready for our NZ cruise

THE DRIVE:

The drive map is here: https://goo.gl/maps/Swn5JmfL2xkkj5Cj6

We filled up gas before our drive as is our usual routine. Doubly important here as there is no gas station after Te Anau. The gas station guy tried to sell cruise tickets saying we may be stranded without tickets if we arrive at the sound without prior booking. We knew that was bunkum and refused politely.

There are many operators plying boats of all sizes and there are multiple cruises every day. When we arrive early, no chance of being stranded without ticket... no prebooking essential!

We had opted for the smaller boat Mitre peak cruises... a little more expensive than the bigger boats but lesser number of people. We arrived at the parking before 9 am... surprised to see it full of cars... probably overnight cruisers... many many camper vans and people walking around with their toothbrushes!

We knew we had to go to the docks where there is a building with all boat company counters. We were confused by lack of signs... thought we'll go to the visitor center where we saw a board info/tickets. Just started going down a passage asking a lady if this led to the place to buy tickets. She said yes... we were very keen to make the early cruises as later the tour buses will descend with crowds.

Thankfully the passage led to the building with counters, We were there by 9.15, bought our tickets for the 9.45am cruise!

Breathed a sigh of relief!!

Milford Sound runs 15 kilometers inland from the Tasman Sea at Dale Point (also named after a location close to Milford Haven in Wales) - the mouth of the fjord - and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1,200 m (3,900 ft) or more on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 1,517 metres (4,977 ft), resembling an elephant's head,and The Lion, 1,302 m (4,272 ft), in the shape of a crouching lion.

The docks have a dense infestation of sandflies...it was pretty scenic though...

We boarded first and ran to the upperdeck... felt it'll have the best views

Then we felt the open deck downstairs is better and we went there and stayed for the whole cruise

Milford Sound sports two permanent waterfalls all year round, Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. After heavy rain many temporary waterfalls run down the steep sided rock faces that line the fjord.

 We were well layered so did not feel the cold...

Our captain gave lovely commentary and drenched us in the spray of the water falls. LOVELY EXPERIENCE!

Seals, penguins, and southernmost population of bottlenose dolphins frequent the waters, saw all frolicking around...

Milford Sound is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world. Amazing that we had the privilege of gorgeous clear weather for our cruise.. 

 

The Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory is located in Harrisons Cove on the north side of the fjord. Situated within the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, the underwater observatory allows visitors to view the  marine environment at a depth of 10 m. Due to a natural phenomenon called 'deep water emergence,' deep-water animals such as black coral can be viewed in the shallow waters surrounding the observatory. We had initially considered including this but later decided to skip it, what you'll get to see is whichever creature chooses to pass by the glass at that specific time!

MIRROR LAKES, MITRE PEAK:

After the lovely cruise, we disembarked... had a nice time at the Mirror lakes... Mitre peak was glimmering as a clear reflection in the still waters on a crystal clear day!  It resembles the mitre of a religious head, hence the name.

We had our picnic meal and started our drive back, stopping at the scenic spots. This is the Chasm

Did not attempt the key summit hike... we had had our fill of top notch scenic views at the other spots with shorter walks.

In both the directions we did not encounter much oncoming traffic.... in the moring it had been too early for people returning from the around as we were driving early.... hardly anybody with us too in the same direction, as people prefer more comfy times to start...

When we were Coming back, it would be a little late to catch the cruises ... so no oncoming traffic to manage on these windy narrow roads... it would have been challenging to encounter the big tour buses...

PERFECT TIMING ! We were very happy.

ZIPLINE, TE ANAU: 

We played the zipline, swing etc in the free Te Anau park... WOW, the zipline really jerked me around at the finish... it might easily injure some one! I'll upload the video soon.

We enjoyed the lake, had a drive around the lovely houses, then called it a day!

DAY 12, March 1, 2017:

DRIVE TO QUEENSTOWN:

We started off on the very scenic drive to Queenstown in the morning, 

Reached the lakeside YHA in QT. Tried to check in at the YHA... it was a little too early. Used their kitchen, had our meal at the beautiful dining room with the view of Lake Wakatipu.

Then we realised we were at the wrong YHA... this one had no private rooms with attached bathrooms. We had booked a lake view ensuite private room at the other YHA.

Our drive of 175 km from Te Anau to Queenstown:

https://goo.gl/maps/eXQ4J4rxC3Vx9cdW9

 

As we were too early to checkin, we went off on a day trip to Glenorchy.

This is Queenstown pier...

GLENORCHY:

TERRIFIC VIEWS ALL THE WAY!

Map here:

https://goo.gl/maps/SnnUXDEpfFQpJgu86

LITTLE PARADISE LODGE & DREAM GARDEN:

This private garden was such a treat!  $15 pp entry payable only in cash... We doubled back on seeing this interesting sign, parked the car on the slope, a peak at what was visible convinced us to go in. The owner lady came out, told us that it's her husband's work of 28 years! 

AWESOME!!

This was probably the only place where we needed cash, we later used up all our cash at Lake Tekapo accommodation.

The garden has quirky statues... tiny little pebbles stuck on to concrete figures....

These arrows point you how to navigate the garden...



There are lovely flowers, fruit laden trees and bushes with info on them as well..

Tiger lily here...






Seats are craft pieces too...

Humorous instructions....this board forbids clothing and advocates skinny dipping...

This is the feedback wall...

All this amazing art with this as the backdrop...

This was a highlight along with the lovely drive and we drove back to QT, very happy!

Our days 13 and 14 are covered here, with reports of Arrowtown, Queenstown skyline, gondola, luge rides, gardens, and our hikes at Aoraki national park:
http://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2017/03/new-zealand-trip-report-day-13.html