New Zealand / Australia Trip

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fiordland National Park
February 26th 2012

Published: February 26th 2012

Edit Blog Post

Stars Family

Travel to Milford

At mirror lakes

2/24/2012

PS. Backing up a day……note that Trampers 4 crossed the 45 parallel south (the theoretical halfway point between the equator and the South Pole). Anything below the 45^th parallel is in the Roaring 40’s (where westerly winds play havoc on land and sea).

Today was a grand day. Early in the morning we boarded our Real Journeys tour bus to begin a twelve-hour bus and cruise exploration of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. As we left Queenstown, we had magnificant views of Lake Wakatipu. Our driver, Tracy, was very capable, navigating the mountain road with ease while at the same time giving a narration of the local area. As we neared the Park, the glacial mountains and valleys came into view.

UpWe were able to navigate boardwalks to areas of sensational beauty including the Mirror Lake. Over the centuries, the unique climatic conditions have generated a surreal fairytale forest featuring rare, native beech trees clad with moss.

At the end of our coach tour, a motorized sailing vessel, Mariner, was waiting for us. We quickly boarded our ship, and set sail into Milford Sound. This geological

Travel to Milford

Through the bush

feature is really a Fiord (a Scandinavian term), but was misnamed by early explorers who lacked the vocabulary to properly name it. We motored the shoreline of the Fiord, viewing the majestic waterfalls, slothful fur seals (they hunt at night), and the mollymook (the younger cousin of the royal albatross). The area is also the home of the Yellowcrested Penquin and dolphins who were absent today. The mountains, thrust up by vocanoes centuries ago, rise nearly vertical a mile high into the sky

We considered ourselves extremely fortunate to have experienced blue skies and high clouds……….(the perfect day) when the guide revealed Milford Sound’s annual rainfall of 10 meters (about 400inches) per annum.

The Mariner ventured the confines of the Fiord nosing into the turbulent Tasman Sea. The Tasman Sea is notorious for its treacherous water as it lies in the path of the 40 parallel…..The Roaring Forties, a mariner’s nightmare. Noting the conditions of the Sea, the Captain turned back into the quieter waters of the Sound.

Additional photos below

Photos: 13, Displayed: 13