MILFORD TRACK

First leg of our journey was by bus from Queenstown to TeAnau Downs. 

Kitted up and ready to go.

Then a short ferry ride to our first night's accommodation at Glade Lodge.  The hospitality here and for the rest of the trip was outstanding.

Glade House first night. Nature Walk in beautiful setting.  This is going to be easy!



The occasional boardwalk was appreciated - easier on the feet and toes.

Pompolona Lodge Day 2
Keas, fantails, weka, bush robins on the track. Swim in the lake for the hardy - we dipped our big toes in.

 Weka. or Kiwi?   Hint: kiwi is nocturnal

Tree fern, otherwise known as the Ponga tree.


Keeners at the front with Guide Moon (Korean).  Akiko was our Japanese guide and Richard the sole Kiwi

Wonderful flora including ferns, mosses and lichens. 
This was Hump Day where we had to climb 600 metres over a 6km, zig zag track.

McKinnon Memorial greeted us at the peak, then a kilometre to the lunch hut.  Now the downhill grind - our poor toes!  This was a long day, but there was still one more adventure to be had - a quick visit to Sutherland Falls, 5th highest in world.

 One of the 178 waterfalls along the way.  I think this one is McLaren.

 

 



Day 4  Qunitin Lodge to Sandfly point before being ferried to Mitre Peak Lodge. Rained all last night. And this morning - a good test for our supplied rain gear.  It failed miserably. 

Stomping through ankle deep puddles like school kids, dripping like plastic shopping bags.  Today feels longer than yesterday.. 

She'll kill me when she sees this one!

Almost there.  One more corner....... right.

 

The rain stops..... the mist lifts.... and voila, just marvellous!


View from our last night's accommodation, Mitre Peak in the foreground.

Beautiful Milford Sound, opening on to the Tasman Sea.  Cruise ships are frequent visitors to the sound (it's actually a fiord.



Refreshing way to finish a great visit to the south.  Haere ra Te Wai Pounamu.