Fiordland - part one

The village of Te Anau was small but delightful and the views from our motel over the lake were great. On our first day we went for a walk along the lake (that is the first picture) and in the afternoon we had our first trip. We went along one of the arms of the lake hidden from the town to some amazing limestone caves that are unique in that the water still rushes through them so they are continuously changing. At the end of the section we were in we got into a little boat, all the lights went out and the whole cave system we were in were lit up by glow worms. Fantastic but no photography allowed unfortunately. However we thought you might like the rhyme from the cave’s info room!

The Milford Sound trip started quite early as we felt it would be easier if we went by coach rather than navigate and drive the winding roads ourselves. We stopped off at many beautiful look outs both there and back. It was difficult to choose the pictures but we did our best! A little way out of town the whole road was covered in sheep and the only way through was to drive through them which is what the coach driver did! One stop was Mirror Lake - the name explains all! By the Homer Tunnel which went through the hills we saw some of the local Alpine parrots called Keas. They are supposed to be the most intelligent bird in the world. Very appealing.


The low cloud made all the views atmospheric so we didn’t miss the sun too much. The boat trip along the Sound (it should be called a Fiord really) was great. Magnificent hills, fabulous waterfalls and some very rare Fiordland Penguins. A good trip.




From Te Anau we drove along a continuingly pretty route to Queenstown where we booked into a very top class hotel. Weather started off cloudy and rainy but when we hit Otago again, the sun came out. We went into town and up the gondola to admire the views of the lake. This is where they filmed “The Water Horse” about the Loch Ness Monster! One picture is from the gondola - the other is the view from our hotel room! It is a hard life!

We next headed to the town of Fox Glacier. This route was to have taken us anything from 4 to 9 hours depending on which source you followed. In the end it was a pleasant 5 hour trip with about 4 or 5 stops on the way to see falls, lakes, woods and some tiny local birds. Another stop was Bruce Bay, a picturesque bay with fabulous stones and fine black sand. What made it even more picture worthy was all the towers of rocks people had built - so we built one each as well.

We had already booked our hotel here as we were doing a specific activity (see next blog) and it was a “bank holiday” here. After arriving we went for a walk in the woods behind our hotel. They were magical and very elvish. The picture of us by the sign just had to be taken didn’t it…and thank goodness for self timers on cameras.

Dunedin to Fiordland

When we left Dunedin we had to go and see the world’s steepest street. And I have to say it was quite a struggle climbing up it!! It is 1 in 2.86 at it’s steepest. Odd but worth doing! And every year they have hill climbing sports days just for the fun of it!

We continued on The Southern Scenic Route but the grey skies and rain made us what to be arm chair tourists!! We stopped first at Tunnel Beach which had some fantastic sandstone cliffs but as the tide was high we were unable to go down and into the caves. Our other stop was at Matai Falls. The falls themselves were pretty but we were particularly taken with the podocarp forest. I have no idea what it is either but plan to investigate at a later stage. It was very Lord of the Rings and we expected an awk to jump out at us at every turn!

We spent a day in Invercargill. Quite a big town with some lovely architecture, a couple of great churches and a very good (free) museum. In there we learned about local wildlife, Maori skills, a reptile as old as the dinosaurs still living in NZ and Burt Monroe - the World's Fastest Indian! His story was made into a recent film…and the Indian is the bike not the Kiwi riding it

We also retraced our way along the Scenic Route to see some bits we missed. First was Niagara Falls…and we are glad to say that it was named with irony and a bit of sarcasm. From there we went to Porpoise Bay where we saw more wild Hectors Dolphins swimming with people in the sea. It was too cold for us to go in!! Then round to the rocks and crashing waves of Curio Bay. Here is some of the best preserved petrified Jurassic forest in the world and it was fantastic to see it. Mind you it was beaten by the news that Gordon had found 2 young Yellow Eyed Penguins resting on the cliffs. Great to finally see them so close; and so big after the Blue Penguins. The last photo is at Bluff with a well known sign post directing you around the world!

At Niagara

Rocks and Petrified forest

Aaahh

We are now heading for Fiordland where the hills turn into amazing mountains. On our way up to Te Anau we stopped at Monkey Island. This little bump in the sea is thought by the Maoris to be the anchor stone of a great canoe that was wrecked in the bay. I think the picture says it all about the weather situation! We also saw a lovely suspension bridge built in 1898/9. The last picture shows the first real look at the lakes and mountains in Fiordland of which we hope to see many more in the next few days.

Monkey Island

Clifden Suspension Bridge

Lake Manapouri