Seals, Sausages and Sounds

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fiordland National Park » Milford Sound
January 18th 2006

Published: February 24th 2006

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Adele and Simon

Smile please 1

Seal posing for the camera - Surat Bay, the Catlins.

After leaving the steep streets of Dunedin (apparently home to the steepest street in the world - which we couldn't find!), we headed further south to the, as yet, relatively unexplored coastal region of the Catlins. This area was 'awesome' (Simon's new favourite word) and seemed to have more seals and birds than tourists.

After spending a couple of days exploring the beaches and wildlife of the Catlins we got back in the van and drove southwest towards Fiordland passing through tourist magnets such as Invercargill (New Zealand's equivalent of Slough) and Tuatapere, self titled "home of the sausage". Luckily time was against us, so we pressed on to lake Manapouri, a gateway town to the magnificant Milford and Doubtful Sounds (giant fiords).

This area was just ridiculous in its sheer size and beauty and definitely one of our favourite places so far. We did a short boat trip on Milford Sound and an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. From the boat we were able to kayak and swim, enabling us to really appreciate the enormity of the rock faces towering up from the water. Adele turned 30 on day two of the cruise and was treated to an

Smile please 2

Adele posing for the camera in the Catlins

embarrassing group rendition of happy birthday for breakfast (and chocolate, strawberries and champagne). A pod of dolphins turned up to help her celebrate and even the sun came out, which in Fiordland is apparently pretty rare! An amazing few days that we will never forget.

Additional photos below

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But then he had enough ...

and so did she ...

Slope Point

The most southern point of the South Island. The trees take quite a bashing at this southerly point, with little to protect them from the Antarctic winds!