Milford Sound

After leaving Gayle and Andy's we headed for Te Anau and Milford Sound. Just another cruisey drive past Queenstown and into the boonies. Rolling mountains and lakes passing by. Like Scotland, The Lakes, The Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor rolled into one! We spent a night in a camper site so a chance for a bit of washing and a good hot shower. Next day, we took in a hike up Key Summit on the way to Milford Sound. The approach to Milford Sound is along a winding road up into the mountains and then down through the Homer tunnel. Amazing to think the men hacking their way through with picks and shovels down through the mountain at an angle of 1 in 10. It was started in 1935 but not completed until 1953 ! Coming out the other side felt like being shot out of a huge cannon. Milford Sound is a truly majestic place, huge cliffs towering up into impenetrable forest. Water falls cascading down. We took a boat ride out to the Tasman. Seals sunning themselves and dolphins riding the bow wave right under our noses just made the trip special !




Camped here for one night - gorgeous.

Getting to the top of key summit. Never saw another soul all day

Its just a boy friend girl friend thing :)

What a morning view. Lake like glass, coffee on !

Heading into the tunnel

Strange little visitor. A mountain Kea. Only true mountain parrot in the world. Inquisitive creatures always on the prowl for a free meal and not to be messed with; very sharp beak and pointy claws. Little devil got on top of the roof, sounded like he was trying to eat the sky light so I took off quick smart. Got up to about 40 before he decided he'd had enough of a blow dry :)

Seals on the rocks

Dolphins surfing effortlesly in the boats bow wake. You can see our reflections looking over the edge at them, just beautiful to watch!