Although Milford Sound is only 25 miles from Queenstown, as the crow flies, the actually return journey is 360 miles with the road looping round Lake Wakatipu up through Te Anau and along mountain passes through the Milford track and tunnel. We took a coach trip as the journey was 13 hours return, could have been a bit tiring and at least we could sit back and enjoy the full "WOW" factor of the wonderful scenery on offer.

Milford Sound is in the world heritage area of Fiordland National Park going out to the Tasman Sea. Absolutely stunning with spectacular rainforests, mountains, gorges and lakes enhanced even more by the heavy snowfall. The white water rivers and waterfalls were flowing even faster because of the melting snow.

A boat trip took us out onto Milford Sound which was so tranquil and peaceful - similar to Queen Charlotte Sound in the north of the island - but the mountains making for a more dramatic scene.

Over to the east coast tomorrow to Dunedin which is supposed to be very Scottish and a replica of Edinburgh.

Jen and Ray