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As can be seen on the map (above link), there are no through roads in the South-Western corner of the South Island (Fiordland). Hence we set off to go as far to the SW as we could on our way to Te Anau, a town on a lake of the same name. It's the largest lake in the South Island, and the second largest in the country after Lake Taupo which we visited last year.
As you might expect on a piece of coast right in the path of the Roaring Forties, it's wild and windy.
<Left> Beanie and 3 layers and still cold! <Above> Dark sand has volcanic origins
We went via Lake Manapouri, a lake that provides hydro electricity for the Aluminium Smelter at Bluff. When this was proposed in the 1950s, the public was outraged. A compromise was reached and a government appointed body, "The Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau" was appointed to ensure that the lakes would only be operated within their natural levels. This was a world first for hydro schemes.
Lake Manapouri
Lake Te Anau from our motel room.
An unmissable part of New Zealand is a visit to Milford Sound. It is a spectacular part of Fiordland with sheer cliffs rising out of the sound.
Geologically speaking, it's a fiord, but John Grono, the sealer who named it after his home town, Milford Haven, in Wales, presumably wasn't aware of that.
Rather than driving ourselves, we decided to take a tour with a small group, assuming that they knew all the good scenic spots, plus it included the compulsory boat trip out to the Tasman Sea, and lunch! The day turned out far more exciting that we expected (but in a really good way).
Lake Te Anau looking back down the lake at 'rather early' o'clock. Note another rotten day for sight-seeing.
The road to Milford passes through the Southern Alps. Beautiful countryside.
Always time for a warming cuppa and a scone, especially when it's about 4°C...
...and with a magnificent view.
About to set off for our trip down the Sound. Mitre Peak in the centre, still topped with cloud.
There are lots of waterfalls feeding into the sound. Tourist boat for scale.
A closer look at the gorgeous rainbow from one of them.
Either get below, or get wet! The captain poked the bow right up to this this one.
Looking back up the Sound towards the resort and dock. Still snow on the Alps!
Milford is also one of the busiest tourist airports in the country, with hundreds of both fixed-wing and helicopter flights taking tourists over Fiordland and the surrounding area. Unsurprisingly, it also has the ability to cope with float-planes. As we were getting off our bus and onto the boat, our driver mentioned that one of our companions wanted to catch a float-plane back to Te Anau, but the company needed two more passengers before they'd run the flight. I think I nearly broke one of Sue's ribs as I dug my elbow into her as a 'hint'! :-)
Our faster way back to Te Anau. Woohoo!! Cessna C206 for the aviation tragics.
Kylie, our pilot, is the one with no shoes. "It's easier that way."
Heading down the Sound.
The mouth of Milford Sound. Keep going that way and you'll end up in Australia.
Beautiful green colour in a lake in the Alps.
A successful arrival back in Te Anau. Fortunately, we stayed 'DRI'.
For those suffering from terminal insomnia, there is a 10 minute-ish video of the flight back on YouTube.
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