Milford Sound & Bowen Falls
We started our day with a 2 hour cruise through the sound out to the ocean and back. There is a procession of cruise boats, but they all take the same route- so you can choose based on boat features and price.
Milford Sound – getting up close
Gertrude Saddle Hike
We then headed to Gertrude Saddle, a beautiful hike that starts about 15km outside of Milford sound. After going through riverbed with trees, then scrub, we finally ascended enough to start hiking on rock. The rock was quite grippy, so as long as we stayed on the dry sections it was fine. And they had wire ropes for the trickier areas.
After crossing the rock we got to a small lake tucked into the rock. Deb wasn’t sure she wanted to continue on up the final rock face ascent, but decided to give it a shot. After we worked our way to the top, we were rewarded with a view over the saddle, all the way back to Milford Sound! We celebrated with dinner in the Milford lodge, getting tired of our own cooking. It was an expensive dinner, but the food was wonderful. Venison steak with veggies, a large salad, and an appetizer. One thing about hiking 5 to 8 hours a day, it does help the appetite!
Heading back down
Milford Sound Kayak
Drove from Manapouri to Milford Sound today, stopping to drop off some of luggage in Te Anau, and pick up groceries and gas. (Both of which are in very short supply in Milford Sound) Since we were sharing a dorm bunk room, we left our computer, iPads and other gear we wouldn’t need. This also started a quiet time, with no internet access for the next week and a half. After we got to Milford Sound, we spent about 5.5 hours kayaking around and across the sound, then hiking the last part of the Milford trek. Then off to showers, and to fix supper in the communal kitchen.
Milford Sound in Spring
And I wanted to include one picture from our 2009 trip, showing the view along the Milford highway during spring. The gorse and lupins along the highway are stunning!
