There and back on the only road to Milford Sound

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Monday, 8th April - Day Five: an incredible journey through the Southern Alps to Milford Sound (originally incorrectly named, as it’s a fiord) with a “coach captain” full of humour and amazing facts about his country. As we ate a buffet lunch on board, the boat took us along the fiord to the mouth of the Tasman Sea and included a stop at the scientific underwater observatory. It was glorious weather and as rainfall usually occurs three out of 4-5 days - we were incredibly well blessed.

Leaving at 08:00, our driver, Craig, talked almost non-stop about his country and we could understand all he said, which is often not the case, as we have to listen hard to the different vowel sounds that are voiced here, as in the word “taste” becoming “tyste” e.g. “would you loik a tyste of this amazing possum poi?” Um, no thank you, maybe another time.

The 119km road that ends at Milford Sound began in 1945 and was completed in 1952 with significant improvements later on. It’s one of the most isolated roads in New Zealand and occasionally gets cut off by avalanches, rockfalls or slides.

We stopped several times for photo opportunities, the first at Eglinton Valley, a once huge glacier formed over millions of years that eventually melted and created Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island.

Driving on we stop at Mirror Lakes, which on a calm, bright day cast mirror reflections in the water. Along the boardwalk amongst the huge beeches, which are evergreens in New Zealand, we read about the various species of birds and mammals that inhabit the area including the kaka, from the parrot family, the morepork, a night owl named after his song, and two types of bats, apart from the water fowl and fish.

At the highest point we reach The Divide, at 524 meters (about 1719 feet) above sea level where the rivers on the west run into the Tasman Sea and those on the right to the Pacific. Most of the rain hits the west coast, which is why the much of the area is a temperate rain forest.

We drive through the single lane Homer Tunnel guarded by traffic lights during high season and on down to The Chasm, where we see up close the very curious and vulnerable Kea birds who often frequent the parking lot and can be quite mischievous if you leave your door or sun-roof open. The walk through the rain forest is somewhat damp but enjoyable

At the bottom of the narrow, steep and curvy downhill road, past the tunnel, we reach a pristine mountain stream in the Cleddau Valley and collect some of the pure water there. Some miles later, we pass the small airport and wait at the dock to board our boat for the cruise up Milford Sound. After a cloudy start, the day has turned sunny and bright.

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Photos

Milford Road
sights along the way

Eglinton Valley
an ancient glacial valley

Mirror Lakes
a calm day

First stop along Milford Road
Eglinton Valley

Stone Cairn
an old sign to mark the trail

Water creatures
above and below

Tree branches
perfect reflection

the old beech tree
boardwalk at Mirror Lakes

brushtailed possum beard
what a handsome fellow

Waterfall
one of many in NZ

Homer Tunnel
Eastern portal

Kea Birds
fun birds and unafraid of humans

The Chasm
looking down from the bridge

silver fern
one of the most symbolic signs found everywhere in New Zealand

catching pure water
didn't even get wet

Comments

[Elisia]

Amazing!
What an incredible adventure you're on! It's such fun seeing photos and reading about what you've seen, along with the interesting background info. I especially love the pic of Daddy with the possum beard! But all the photos are wonderful. And I laughed out loud at your funny description of the local accent--spot on! Love you both. xo