Milford Sound

We had a long day - breakfast at 6, left hotel at 7 and got back to town a little after 7 at night - as we traveled across the Eyre mountain range to Milford Sound. It is located on the southwest coast of NZ in the Fiordland National Park. Enroute we traveled through some beautiful rolling farmlands where they raise sheep, beef cattle, and deer. Some of the pictures are a little blurry as I had to take them from the bus as we were traveling.

There was mile after mile of fields with sheep grazing. So serene!

Herds of special bred domesticated deer are raised for meat and antlers.

New Zealand traffic jam. Moving cattle down the road.

The Fiordland Park has majestic mountains and a lush cool weather rain forest. The park covers over 3 million acres and it has been designated a World Heritage Area. It includes Lake Te Anau which is the 2nd largest lake in NZ. The sights were fantastic.

We stopped to take a walk along Mirror Lake. You can see why it was named that. The crystal clear water reflected the picturesque mountains in the background.

A moss covered tree stump.

Next we stopped at Monkey Creek for views of the Upper Holłyford and Darrren Mountains.

Saw some waterfalls on the drive.

This is a Kea parrot. The world's only alpine parrot. They are rated as one of the most intelligent birds in the world with an estimated IQ age of a 3 year old and are a protected species. 

Here is one sitting on top of a car to show the size of these birds. They have been known to eat the windshield wipers along with other rubber parts and will steal items out of open vehicles and purses/bags, 

A snow bank right next to the road.

More beautiful scenery.

We took a nature walk through a section of the rain forest. There were some large ferns and waterfalls.

We took a lunch cruise out through the fjord and into the Tasman Sea. The journey was breathtaking.

Mitre Peak mountain is believed to be one of the world's highest to rise directly out of the sea.

Moon rising over the mountains.

The entry way into the fjord from the Tasman Sea.

Seals sunning on the rock.

Stifling Fallls

Bowen Falls (Rere Hine Te Awa - waterfall of the girl of the stream)

Another fantastic day. The ride back was so serene watching the sun going down on the sheep grazing in the rolling pastures.