Bev and Larry New Zealand 2012: December 22 2012 Trip to and Cruise in Milford Sound

We got up early to get ready for our 2 hr drive to Milford Sound from Te Anau. The drive along Rte. 94 was gorgeous as we climbed into the mountains. Surprisingly there was very little traffic along the winding road. The weather was perfect with clear blue skies that made the snow capped mountains really stand out. Along the entire way we were dwarfed by the towering Southern Alps. About ¾ of the way, we had a slight road detour for a recent rock avalanche and then reached the long one-way tunnel with a traffic light to control travel. Once through the tunnel, we were faced with numerous steep hairpin curves winding down the face of the mountain as we approached Milford Sound. Milford Sound consists of the cruise terminal and a hotel without any services. It is a very isolated, but gorgeous place.

Map of Milford Sound Cruise

We boarded the small Metre Peak Cruise boat at 9:50 am and started our cruise immediately. There were about 25 people on the boat, which was a perfect size to get great views. The cruise took us along the south side of the fiord, which contained Mitre Peak (1683 m), and past a towering waterfall that the captain took the boat right up to. Further along we passed copper point; an outcropping of oxidized copper. The snow-capped mountains were all around us and they were very beautiful against the blue sky. The south side also has deposits of Bowenite, the green stone valued by the Maori of New Zealand. As we approached Anita Bay, we were informed that five young passengers were going to jump overboard to join a group of sea kayakers in the bay. I imagine the water was extremely cold. From here we entered the mouth of the fiord and approached St. Annes Point Lighthouse which serves as the lighthouse for the fiord. From here we had a view of the Tasman Sea shoreline and the entrance to Milford Sound. This was the mid-point of our cruise and we turned around. Our cruise then took us along the north side of the fiord to some rocks where fur seals were resting in the sun. Again, the boat was maneuvered within a couple of meters of the rocks for very close views of the seals. Next was a stop at Stirling Falls and a close maneuver with the spray from the falls covering the boat. There were several sea kayaks also viewing the falls from up close. Rounding the corner, we entered Harrison Cove to pick up some people who had been at the Underwater Observatory. Further along we passed Bowen Falls and could now see the cruise departure station at the end of the fiord. By 11:15 am, we were back at the station and began our drive back to Te Anau.

Back in Te Anau, we decided to rest a little while and then go walking and stop at La Dolce Vita for an early dinner.