OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA We left Te Anau Monday morning for a two hour drive to Milford Sound. Situated on the west coast (within Fiordland National Park) of the South Island, Milford Sound is a fusion of spectacular natural features. Along the way we went for some short walks and viewed cascading waterfalls and many snow capped mountain peaks. We arrived at 1 pm for a two hour cruise. It was quite overcast but our spirits weren't dampened as it soon became evident a visual feast awaited regardless of the weather. 

Milford Sound is a fiord which is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs formed by submergence of a glaciated valley created by glacial erosion. Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea. It is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 metres or more on either side. It is known as the wettest place in New Zealand with an average annual rainfall of 252 inches.

About 15 kilometres from Milford Sound there is a 1.2 kilometre road tunnel which pierces the Darran Mountain range to enable access to Milford Sound. This tunnel was started in 1935 and took 19 years to complete. 

Our cruise revealed many spectacular features such as waterfalls, seals basking on rocks and included viewing a lighthouse at the mouth of the Tasman Sea. we were fortunate to see some bird life such as a Weka near the information centre and a number of Kea's descended on our car as we were waiting to enter the tunnel on the return journey.

Rudyard Kipling had previously referred to Milford Sound as the eighth Wonder of the World. I gladly agree with that sentiment!