FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK OF NEW ZEALAND (FEBRUARY 14, 2010)

THE PARK IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST END OF THE SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND.

WE LEFT DUNEDIN ON FEBRUARY 13^TH  AND SAILED AROUND THE SOUTHERN TIP OF NZ. THE SHIP ROCKED AND ROLLED ALL NIGHT BUT WE WERE ABLE TO SLEEP. 

AFTER BREAKFAST ON FEBRUARY 14^TH (VALENTINE’S DAY) WE CRUISED THRU DUSKY SOUND, THOMPSON SOUND, DOUBFUL SOUND AND THEN MILFORD SOUND. MILFORD WAS THE BEST.

THERE ARE 14 FIORDS BUT MILFORD SOUND IS THE MOST POPULAR.

MILFORD SOUND IS 14 NAUTICAL MILES LONG AND ONE AND HALF MILES WIDE AT THE WIDEST POINT. THE SIDES OF THE FIORD RISE 6,000 TO 7,000 FEET. 

IT RAINS ABOUT 200 DAYS PER YEARS.  MOISTURE LADEN AIR IS FORCED TO RISE OVER THE MOUNTAINS CAUSING THE RAIN AND SNOW.  WHEN THE WEATHER CLEARS YOU CAN SEE THOUSANDS OF WATER FALLS  COMING FROM THE CLOUDS DOWN  STEEP MOUNTAIN SIDES TO THE TASMAN  SEA. 

NOT ONLY DID WE ENJOY THE SCENERY, BUT THE DOLPHINS WERE HAVING A GREAT TIME, TOO. 

OUR PICTURES CANNOT DO THE FIORDS JUSTICE. 

THIS NATIONAL PARK IS NOT FOR THE NOVICE TO WALK THRU AND CAMP ALONG THE WAY. IT REQUIRES A PAID GUIDE FOR MOST PEOPLE. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCED HIKER AND CAMPER AT THE PARK YOU CAN GO IN, AFTER SIGNING IN, AND YOU ARE REQUIRED TO STAY ON THE TRAILS. 

HOWEVER, FOR ABOUT $600.00 PER PERSON PER DAY A GUIDE WILL TAKE YOU FROM DUNEDIN TO MILFORD SOUND BY JEEP, BOAT AND HIKING WITH A OVER NIGHT STAY AT A LODGE.

John-

Very nice posting.  I had seen this park on, I think, the Travel Channel.  As you say, pictures of it do not do it justice.   I would love to have an opportunity to visit this national park.

Bill

Great picture John!  We love to visit waterfalls and you have several in the photo.  A bunch of years ago some friends of ours in Texas did an around the world trip.  They said New Zealand was the most beautiful of all the places they visited.  Did y'all get any Mauri tatoos while there?  :)