discovering milford sound

we were originally going to only visit the north island of new zealand on this trip, but once we saw photographs of fiordland national park and milford sound, we both decided we simply had to go to the south island as well.

even if we had to come back right after the flight down there, it would have been worth it! most spectacular views i’ve ever had on a commercial flight – these pictures don’t do it justice at all.

  

we landed in queenstown and were immediately so glad we headed south. we were amazed at the scenery from the very beginning. we hopped right in our rental car and headed for milford sound.

 
^^ loved seeing autumn leaves in march! we passed through lots of charming little towns ^^

^^ soooooo many sheep ^^

^^ more beautiful autumn foliage! ^^

the drive kept changing and we kept being amazed. soon we were seeing lots of waterfalls and some glaciers. we went through a looooong tunnel that spit us out on a windy road down towards fiordland.

 

when we got to milford sound, we decided to go on a boat out on the water. we were kayaking the next day, but the weather looked bad, so we jumped on a chance to see the sound not under non-raining skies. we were blown away by our little cruise, past waterfalls and seals and cliffs and glaciers, cutting through the gorgeous deep dark teal water.

     

after our ride, we hiked up to a little lookout point, met some really rad fellow travelers, at dinner at the only cafe in milford sound, and settled into our bunk room at the milford inn lodge. what an amazing spot on earth!