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MIGHTY MILFORD  SOUND


 

 

 

 

Milford Sound from the quayLodge at Milford SoundCruise boats at Milford Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 It's a 10 minute walk round from the carpark to the Milford Sound quay. We sauntered to the cafe on the other side of the carpark for a pre-cruise lunch.

 

There are lots of cruise options - small boats, big boats;   red boats, blue boats, white boats;   boats that that have sailing masts but few sails;   eco-specialists;   overnight experiences or 2 hour experiences;  stop-offs at the underwater observatory or not ...

 

 The day was calm and we went for the small white boat option - the nimble Mitre Peak Cruises boat seemed to offer pretty much all we wanted in a 2 hour no-frills $NZ68 experience.

 

 

 

 

Bridal Falls, Milford Sound

Majestic fjords of Milford SoundGlaciers and time have eroded massive chunks off these mountains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We set off with the spectaular Bridal Falls on our right, oops, to starboard. Soon we are right up close to the base of Mitre Peak as its shear face descends 5,550ft (1,692m) into the sea almost an arms length away.

 

 

 

 

Seals basking at Milford Sound

Seal at Milford Sound

Penguins saying G'day in Milford Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Like big slothsome slugs, seals are revealed reclining in the afternoon sun on rocky outcrops accessible from the sea.

 

 As we slow we slow down passed a little rocky beach our pilot proves he knows his patch. At first there seems to be nothing to see. Then out from the crevices hops a pair of penguins, right on cue. Are they real or were they made in Weta Studios and programmed to appear as boats glide by? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We shadow one of our competitor boats.

 

It's a big one but is still dwarfed by the scale of the fiords thousands of feet above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still signs of snow in December on slopes overlooking Milford Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cloud rings Mitre Peak

 

 

 

Mitre Peak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 With all the majesty around it is easy to forget about Mitre Peak. All the peaks look BIG from sea level. I think the pictures above are of her?

 

 

 We travel right out to the mouth of the Sound and the Tasman Sea. There is one small recreational fishing party in their boat near the Ocean. Not sure if the fish are biting today.

 

 

 Our pilot takes us up to and right under waterfalls on the way. Quite refreshing really - at least in the summertime.

 

 

 

 

One of numerous Milford Sound waterfalls

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We cruise back past the underwater observatory. Our voyage doesn't include a stop here but you can select one that does if you wish.

 

 

 

Our two hours have gone quickly. We've shot 184 photos and are safely back at the quay.

 

 

 

One last look from the top deck - was it worth the effort? 

 

  

 

Late afternoon at Milford Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Definitely.

 (And we get to enjoy going back on the Milford Road again)

 

 

 


 

 

Milford Sound

 

 

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