Cruising out of Queenstown just before sunrise, the winter white peaks lining Lake Wakatipu’s edges highlighted the wonder, as the lights of Queenstown sat in a nice little patch behind us, which grew smaller & smaller, the further we traveled.
Te Anau (nearly 2hrs from Queenstown, by road) is the gateway town prior to Milford, and offers some stunning views from its lakeside as well. Geared up with some warm beverage “take aways” we began our journey over the hill (formed from the glacier thousands of years ago) that would drop us into the past-glacier valley… and Fiordlands National Park. This (now) paved journey is unreal! For nearly two hours more you wind your way through stunning scenery and massive mountain peaks looming overhead. Mirror lakes, river chasms, and valley expansive views are beyond fair description. With only one way through the mountains (unless you care to undertake a winter mountaineering experiencing over the sketchy saddle, as early explorers did,) is to pass through a very long, dark, icicle ridden tunnel… wild! The tunnel sits about 1000ft (about 300m, situated at 1200m) above the valley floor (900m,) so there’s quite a switchback drive awaiting you on the other side. The energy and excitement from this landscape will leave anyone “peaked” (local kiwi term for psyched) for a boat trip through Milford Sound… which is actually a “fiord”, not a sound, as it was formed by a glacier (sounds are not glacier formed.)
Anywho, technicalities don’t matter! THIS PLACE IS MAGICAL!!!! I had luckily read from another traveler’s writing to experience the sound (no pun intended) of Milford Sound, via boat. Encompassed by even more amazing mountain peaks, cliffs, ridges, and other rocky outcroppings, I felt myself overwhelmed with an even deeper respect for nature. Mitre Peak is the tallest mountain peak in the world from sea level… and it is one spikey tower of jagged, sharp, snow-capped ridgelines. Fur seals, dolphins, and other wildlife graced us with their presence as we traveled through the turquoise blue waters below waterfalls casting rainbow mist and sunlight casting shadows in various spots throughout this narrow water gap leading out to the Tasman Sea. Upon reaching the wide mouth meeting of the Tasman Sea, we were suddenly exposed to all of the wind elements that the mountains had been sheltering us from for nearly an hour…. Ch-ch-ch-chilly!!!! Whitecaps and headwinds overtook the peaceful sun-decking experience, and quickly ‘called’ for windbreakers, mittens and a retreat into the warmth of the Milford Sovereign’s well-windowed cabins. The sun was in full-shine, not a cloud in the sky… the dolphins were playing in a group alongside the boat… and I was in pure bliss… once again, inspired.
Te Anau (nearly 2hrs from Queenstown, by road) is the gateway town prior to Milford, and offers some stunning views from its lakeside as well. Geared up with some warm beverage “take aways” we began our journey over the hill (formed from the glacier thousands of years ago) that would drop us into the past-glacier valley… and Fiordlands National Park. This (now) paved journey is unreal! For nearly two hours more you wind your way through stunning scenery and massive mountain peaks looming overhead. Mirror lakes, river chasms, and valley expansive views are beyond fair description. With only one way through the mountains (unless you care to undertake a winter mountaineering experiencing over the sketchy saddle, as early explorers did,) is to pass through a very long, dark, icicle ridden tunnel… wild! The tunnel sits about 1000ft (about 300m, situated at 1200m) above the valley floor (900m,) so there’s quite a switchback drive awaiting you on the other side. The energy and excitement from this landscape will leave anyone “peaked” (local kiwi term for psyched) for a boat trip through Milford Sound… which is actually a “fiord”, not a sound, as it was formed by a glacier (sounds are not glacier formed.)
Anywho, technicalities don’t matter! THIS PLACE IS MAGICAL!!!! I had luckily read from another traveler’s writing to experience the sound (no pun intended) of Milford Sound, via boat. Encompassed by even more amazing mountain peaks, cliffs, ridges, and other rocky outcroppings, I felt myself overwhelmed with an even deeper respect for nature. Mitre Peak is the tallest mountain peak in the world from sea level… and it is one spikey tower of jagged, sharp, snow-capped ridgelines. Fur seals, dolphins, and other wildlife graced us with their presence as we traveled through the turquoise blue waters below waterfalls casting rainbow mist and sunlight casting shadows in various spots throughout this narrow water gap leading out to the Tasman Sea. Upon reaching the wide mouth meeting of the Tasman Sea, we were suddenly exposed to all of the wind elements that the mountains had been sheltering us from for nearly an hour…. Ch-ch-ch-chilly!!!! Whitecaps and headwinds overtook the peaceful sun-decking experience, and quickly ‘called’ for windbreakers, mittens and a retreat into the warmth of the Milford Sovereign’s well-windowed cabins. The sun was in full-shine, not a cloud in the sky… the dolphins were playing in a group alongside the boat… and I was in pure bliss… once again, inspired.
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