scenic adventure (National Parks in New Zealand)

Member Name: samm65

Product:	National Parks in New Zealand
Date:	09/12/08 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful scenic

Disadvantages: none

Milford Sound Excursion starting in Queenstown.

We left very early in the morning by coach with around 30 other people of mixed ages from Queenstown to head to Milford Sound for what would be a really memorable day.

The coach follows Lake Wakatipu, then onto Kingston, Mossburn and onto Te Anau which is the door to the Fiordland National Park on South Island New Zealand and where we had a breakfast stop which was included in the tour price.

Many tours start from te Anau also but as we were in Queenstown we did a full trip from there even though we are not in general overly fussed on organised excursions particularly coach tours.

This tour was however different, the scenery was simply stunning and the journey comfortable and the driver and guide were fabulous.

WE travelled onwards to Eglington Valley and to the amazing Mirror Lakes, fab photo opportunities here and we didnt feel rushed or anything when we were allowed off the coach for a walk around the mirror lakes, we had plenty of time to take it all in.

The coach takes in much more scenery and stunning creeks and valleys along the way before arriving at the Homer Tunnel which has been carved through the solid rock to enable us to pass through to the Cleddau Valley and Milford Sound itself.

You see the sound looming as you approach and it is simply breathtaking. We boarded our red boat for the cruise through the sound which i cannot begin to describe, this fjord has to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth, the peaks with their cascading waterfalls, the wildlife that can be seen and the sheer majesty of the place is simply awe inspiring.

We didnt have the lunch box option, i doubt we would of eaten it anyway, we couldnt take our eyes of the sound.

The other reason was we were not travelling back by the coach as we had booked to fly back over the glaciers.
This was FAB FAB FAB...if you can do it, if you can do the one that lands on the glacier and do a hike DO THAT!
We boarded a light aircraft with 4 other people and the pilot , all donned our headphones and we were away. The pilot was a lovely lady and she told us what were the things to look out for and as we all had a window seat everyone had a fantastic view.

I cannot emphasise enough how fantastic the flight over the glaciers is, seeing Mitre Peak that close is a sight i will never forget.

THIS REVIEW WAS POSTED PREVIOUSLY ON QYPE BY MYSELF UNDER THE NAME SUNLINESAM

Summary: fabulous experience, don't miss it!