Milford Sound

Taken from the shore, looking out towards the sea.

The Milford Wanderer

Taken from the ships' deck. The two tall mountains are Mitre Peak on the left, and 'the Lion' on the right.

Mitre Peak rises straight out of the sea to a height of just over a mile. It is one of the most photographed sights in New Zealand.

A Soaking For Tracy

The weather was fantastic but we still got wet when the captain steered us beneath a waterfall.

This is the base of the Stirling falls which cascade from a hanging valley 156m above.

Entering Milford Sound From the Tasman Sea

The final day on the track was overcast so we spent the night in comfort back in TeAnau. We drove back the next day in fine weather and took a tour of the sound on board 'the Milford Wanderer'. The boat is operated by Real Journeys and is the best way to see Milford.

The weather was clear so the captain took the boat right out into the Tasman Sea. The small rock in the picture is called 'the Brig'. In the distance, the vast wilds of fiordland stretch southwards as far as the eye can see.

Cheers!

After 4 days walk, Tracy, Mum and I enjoyed a well earned pint. 

The Finish Line!

 

Bush Walk

Day 4 was overcast and somewhat cooler. Good thing too, as we were tired and had to race to catch the boat at 3PM. 

Mackay Falls

Just one of many spectacular falls on the track. 

Mackinnon Pass from the Arthur Valley

From below, the pass looks... impassable.

Descent into the Arthur Valley

The sheer face of the Mackinnon pass can be seen on the left. 

Clinton Valley, Fiordland

Taken from the top of the Mackinnon pass. The view behind us is the head of the Clinton valley.

View from the Mackinnon Pass

The Mackinnon pass is on the left. The sheer drop to the bottom is called 12 second drop, because thats how long it takes to fall. In the centre is the Arthur valley, our route out to Milford Sound. The mountain on the right is Mt Elliot and the Jervois glacier.
We were very lucky to have such good weather. Many people cross the pass in mist and rain.

Mackinnon Monument

At the top of the pass is a monument to Quintin Mackinnon who found the pass that opened an overland route to Milford Sound. That's me and my mum in front of it. 

Climbing out of the Clinton Valley

Day 3 starts with the long climb out of the Clinton Valley to the summit of the Mackinnon pass. 

Cooling Off 2

Another hot day, another swim. This time under a waterfall. 

Mountains, Waterfalls and Rivers

The land of the perpendicular. 

Clinton River

There were plenty of brown trout in the river. 

Cooling Off

It was blazing hot so we had a swim in the cold, clear green waters of the Clinton River. 

Mt Anau from Lake TeAnau

Day 1 of the Milford Track starts with a boat ride across Lake TeAnau. The track starts below Mt Anau.

The weather was just perfect.

Seaplane, Lake TeAnau

Taken from out motel balcony on the morning that we started the Milford Track.

Swimming in Lake TeAnau

 

Scaup Diving, Lake Wakatipu

This little duck was swimming like mad through the lake. Taken from the wharf at Queenstown.

Mt Cook Lily

Descending from Mt Olivier, a stroke of luck. A Mt Cook Lily posed perfectly in front of Mt Cook!

Tracy Sledging (on her Backside)

Descending Mt Olivier, Tracy took the easy option.