There are two things we have done consistently on our trip, we always stop at the “i-site” to get up to date information, book outings and pick up maps etc, and we have travelled the “scenic routes” of New Zealand which have taken us along the coastline for most of our trip. On two occasions we have taken the inland scenic highway...and either way all of it is scenic! We were told by locals that the South Island has the most spectacular landscape of New Zealand and that Fiordland is the most beautiful even with its fickle weather. It’s hard to believe...as everywhere you look has a “wow factor” but they weren’t wrong.

On average Fiordland has 200 days of rain a year and they measure their rainfall in meters, with approximately 8m falling per year. We arrived on a very rainy day which really enhances the waterfalls, but creates potential dangers for slips and flooding (no worries mum...all good). Our original plan was altered with a slip on Wilmot Pass in Doubtful Sound. We quickly rearranged our activities and went to see the movie Ata Whenua which highlighted some of the views we would see during our visit.

With our original tour cancelled on our first morning we opted for an early kayak in Milford Sound and a short cruise. We juggled the other options of Jet Boating, hiking and touring Doubtful Sound to different days which ended up perfectly...sun on the sounds and cooler for the hike.

The drive in and out of Milford is an experience in itself, especially the tunnel which is definitely not up to Swiss standards, according to Frank. Milford is definitely beautiful, but busy with approximately 365 take off/landings per day. The fiord is very dramatic with steep mountain faces and rocky peaks. We did get a quick visit from some bottle nose dolphins, playing and diving in the early morning sunshine...so special!

It was recommended that we complete the Key Summit hike, a walk of 3hrs return that starts on the Routeburn track, and then sends you up 920m above sea level with spectacular views. With the trek completed we decided to finish our second day with a jet boat experience along the Waiau River (scenery for Lord of the Rings) and into Lake Manapouri. The timing was perfect at the end of the day, and once again the views didn’t disappoint!

Our final day we headed off to Doubtful Sound, starting with a boat ride across Lake Manapouri and a bus through Wilmot Pass (one lane open) we were heading into the sound known as “the place of silence”. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe this experience! The fiord is longer than Milford with lush green mountains and less dramatic mountain faces...don’t get me wrong it’s truly magnificent. With the sun shining we set out on the fiord heading to the Tasman Sea. Along the way we saw the big three; little blue penguins, Fiordland yellow crested penguins, and bottle nose dolphins! There is a pod of approximately 40 dolphins that live in Doubtful, and while we didn’t see them all...the few that came to say hello didn’t disappoint! The ship captain turned off the engines at one point, and other than the humans (struggling not to move) we were in complete silence...listening to nature! We were definitely lucky!

Pictures are coming...stay tuned!