As the Northern hemisphere descends into a cold winter, it feels like springtime, surrounded by flowers here in New Zealand's Fjordland National Park.
A scenic boat ride is a great way to explore the fjords here.
Fjordland National Park is the biggest national park in New Zealand. It covers the southwest corner of the south island and has ice carved fjords, massive sea cliffs, lakes and valleys, and towering waterfalls. Multi-day hikes abound and since you can fill your canteen with water straight from one of the thousands of waterfalls your pack won't even be that heavy. Although it might be wet, everything is saturated here with the incessant rain.
Looking back from the mouth
Of course as we neared the town of Te Anau, the gateway in Fjordland National Park, the rain started and didn't stop all day. Luckily the rain does not stop things here in the Fjordlands. In fact it just brings more waterfalls. Some of which dry up shortly after the rain stops. Our final destination was Milford Sound, the end of the road. From here boats leave a tiny harbor and spend a couple hours motoring around the fjord and out to the opening to the Tasman Sea. Fur Seals are often seen from the boat and sometimes dolphins or penguins. The rest of the cruise depends on the mood of the weather. Peaks of the mountains can look like floating mountains if the clouds move in, waterfalls come cascading off everywhere if it's raining, and if you manage to get that clear, blue sky day on Milford Sound, you might just see some of the biggest sea cliffs in the world.
Sea Lion rookery rock
Milford Sound used to be only accessible by hiking into the valley or by ship through the mouth of the fjord. Now the hidden valley can by accessed by car through a tunnel straight through a massive mountain. Waterfalls cascade off each side of the mountain and when you are through the tunnel you find yourself looking down into a cloud, beneath which lies hidden treasures of the New Zealand rainforest. It is how I imagine the Lost World with dinosaurs still roaming the wild would look.
Myles and Jack about to get wet
We had to spend the night after missing out on the last cruise of the day. But the weather was supposed to get better overnight. We found a backpackers with 3 beds left, and the one pool table in town before putting in for the night. 9am the next morning we climbed aboard our three story vessel complete with breakfast on board. The rain stopped but the clouds remained. It proved to be beautiful for photographs but none that could truly capture the awe this place inspires. I found myself scarcely believing this place could exist.
It can take quite awhile to travel to this place, although not nearly as much as it used to, Milford Sound should be on every travelers to do list. A few of these pictures have a boat in them to give you some idea of the size of these cliffs. 1500 meters high, with another 1000feet below the water. Ancient glaciers have left some amazing landscapes.
Check out the mirror sign in this really cool lake.
As always, keep traveling. Winter really does look different all around the world.
- Dai Mar