It has taken me a bit to get around to this, but I had to do a post solely dedicated to my day at Milford Sound because it was an utterly incredible experience. It was about a four hour drive from Arrowtown to get there and Berri was so generous to agree to go with me and to drive us there. Thanks a million to Berri because what a fabulous day it was! There was not a cloud in the sky nor was there much wind. If you're not familiar with Milford Sound, a day like that apparently only happens some odd 15 or so days a year.
Not only were we lucky to escape the wind and the rain, but it's never guaranteed that you can actually get to Milford Sound because Milford Road, a two lane road that dead ends in Milford Sound and is the only way there, can quite often be closed due to avalanches, snow, weather, etc. Mom and my aunt, Paige, actually never made it to Milford Sound during their travels here years ago due to road closure during their planned visit. So, to sum it all up I was extremely lucky and grateful for this wonderful experience!
The four hour drive was pretty manageable because it was so scenic. I have already always enjoyed driving through windy Georgia country roads-- but New Zealand is next level times one million. I feel like every time I turn around here I am met with another gorgeous landscape or view. About halfway to Milford we stopped for coffee and breakfast. I got to try a cheese roll, which is something the South Island is known for making. After the yummy break we hopped back in the car and headed on our way. It really was so enjoyable driving through such hilly and luscious green farmland with baby lambs and sheep bopping around.
Before I knew it we had turned onto Milford Road, the most scenic drive I have ever experienced in my life. I mean as soon as we turned onto the road it became other worldly. We had about an hour on this two lane road that dead ends at the sound, with no other cars in sight. The scenery kept changing so quickly, but every new view was just as jaw dropping as the last. As we drove between the snow capped mountains to the coast, we stopped at a few lookouts including the Mirror Lakes which were insane.
Once we finally got to the end of the road we went and checked in for the Milford Sound cruise. The boat took us out into the sound where we got to see waterfalls, fur seals, penguins, stunning rock formations, and rainbows before the sound gave way to a full view of the Pacific. Turning around to look back, I wouldn't have been able to tell you where the entrance to the sound was. The landscape all blended into cohesive looking peaks with no clear entrance in sight.
Breathing that crisp saltwater air and absorbing the incredible surroundings of Milford Sound is something that I will remember for the rest of my life. Down the line if there's ever a detail about that day that may get a little fuzzy, I will have more than enough pictures to look back on. There's only so much I can try to put into words to describe Milford Sound, so I hope you'll enjoy looking through some of my favorite photos. Talk soon!
xx syd
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