Milford Sound, Fiordland, South New Zealand

 "Sound" is a misnomer as it was carved out by a glacier not caused by river erosion. So Milford Sound is in reality a fiord. Milford Sound is New Zealand's most visited natural attraction and the only fiord which can be accessed by road. The 16 km long fiord is dominated by the mile high Mitre Peak which rises almost vertically upwards from the water. The sound is over 400m deep and receives over 7m of rain a year(that's over an inch a day!)

Mirror Lake

Yes we were in the low clouds!

Mosses on the trees awesome!

Pictures taken during the one hour drive to the end of the road where the fiord cruises embark.

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And yes, the very rare Fiordland Crested Penguin.
We love penguins.

This species is bigger than the Tiny Penguin. It appeared to be at least 24 inches high compared to the Tiny Penguins at 10 to 12 inches.

The craft that we sailed (motored) into the fiord. Unfortunately they didn't put the sails up as there was no wind the day we cruised. Dave thinks they didn't raise them because then we wouldn't have been allowed on the upper deck!!








Yes it was a bit cool.

Many waterfalls due to the heavy rains.

Cruising toward the Tasman Sea

At the mouth of the fiord and the Tasman Sea.

Another new adventure for the Canucks.

And why not a nosing in maneuver to get the passengers wet.

Looks like everyone is having a shower today. All part of the plan I'm sure!!

Looking out into the fiord from the parking lot. The  toetoe  grass in the foreground.

The Weka bird of South NZ. Curious bird in the RV park at the sound. Flightless, it was used as a food staple by the early Maori and white settlers.

View from the small RV park at the sound.