Milford Sound!

[Oakie]

We went to Milford Sound on our recent holiday. Just WOW! We used that word almost to extinction just on the drive in (yes, car, not bike unfortunately). We could not find a word to adequately describe the awesomness of the roadside scenery before we even got to Milford.

I've seen photos of the Sound in the past as we all have and they do not do it justice. I took about 200 photos myself and only a couple go anywhere near showing the magnitude of the place. It is just overwhelming. First photo attached was just a random one but it goes the closest to showing the scale of the place compared to the fishing boat in mid screen. Second photo was similar but uses a three deck cruise boat at the foot of the cliff to show the scale.

To be honest the drive in seemed more awesome than the boat cruise itself but perhaps it's just that we got so blown away on the drive in that the cruise seemed no more spectacular.

Anyway ... if you get the opportunity to drive (or even better, bike) in there and view the place, take it. You won't regret it. (Do take max-deet sandfly repellant though. You won't regret that either!)

[banditrider]

It's is my favourite ride. Have done it on a nice day and when raining - the weather made no difference, still loved it.

[FJRider]

It is as deep in the Fiord as the mountains are high. (Cruise ships can't anchor as it's too deep)

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip in .. and out.

It is totally WOW on a bike though ... (sunglasses OFF before going into the tunnel though)

[insomnia01]

:yes: yep !!! that'll be me in 10 days :wings::wings::wings: booked to do Mangapouri power station tour :wings: as well as Milford sound :msn-wink: you guys had a beaut day for it :niceone:

[Oakie]

:yes: yep !!! that'll be me in 10 days :wings::wings::wings: booked to do Mangapouri power station tour :wings: as well as Milford sound :msn-wink: you guys had a beaut day for it :niceone:

We had a great day weatherwise which allowed us to check a few sites on the way out too ('The Chasm', 'Mirror Lakes', Lake Gunn). Rainy days are a bit special too as you get many waterfalls. I guess as long as it's not foggy.

[Laava]

Great part of NZ! Did milford on a sunny day and manapouri next day in the drizzle. Unforgettable.

[FJRider]

:yes: yep !!! that'll be me in 10 days :wings::wings::wings: booked to do Mangapouri power station tour :wings: as well as Milford sound :msn-wink: you guys had a beaut day for it :niceone:

Remember while you are in the viewing platform of the power house (1.5 km's of road underground to get to there) that the tail race tunnels (there are two) cross a major fault line. Should it rupture .. alarm bells will activate. (I've heard them being tested and you WILL hear them) ... you have (at best) 13 seconds to get out before the entire complex floods.

How long can you hold your breath .. ???

It is an awesome place though ...

[buggerit]

How safe are bikes from kea at Milford and Manapouri if you do the tours?

[Berries]

How safe are bikes from kea at Milford and Manapouri if you do the tours?
The sand flies have eaten all the kea.

[ratsalad]

How safe are bikes from kea at Milford and Manapouri if you do the tours?

heaps of tourists around ,but they are close all the time . top tip . take your sunnies off when going through the homer tunnel. its farkin dark

[FJRider]

How safe are bikes from kea at Milford and Manapouri if you do the tours?

Kea's are alpine birds ...up in the higher passes. Milford is at sea level. Seagulls don't have the same risk ...

[unstuck]

Banish is a better product on the sandflies in Fiordland.:2thumbsup

Eglington valley offers some great tramping, if you dont like sharing a track with hordes of tourists.

[Ocean1]

Banish is a better product on the sandflies in Fiordland.:2thumbsup:

I found a M230 chain gun far more effective.

At least until I ran out of ammo...

[unstuck]

I found a M230 chain gun far more effective.

At least until I ran out of ammo...

I would be too scared of causing an avalanche with that method. Being in amongst all that country in an earthquake is enough excitement for me.:eek5:

[mashman]

I was loaded with man-flu when we went (slept on the journey there and back, but take your word for its beauty)... but Milford Sound left me so awestruck I all but forgot. T'was funny when they put the nose of the boat under one of the falls, everyone ran off screaming and I stood and took a soakin... fuck it was nice with a fever. The girls were disappointed that they didn't see any dolphins, but the underwater observatory made up for that. I hope we get back down that way someday and do Mangapouri and maybe one of the walks... til then, fond memories of a beautiful day out.

(The planes were a bit fuckin annoying though)

[Big Dave]

I'll give ya a 'top tip'.

Mega dose yourself with Vitamin B for the two weeks BEFORE you tour Fiordland.

Your pee smells like asparagus and the Sandflies and midges won't come anywhere near you - no need for repellants.

[Ocean1]

Your pee smells like asparagus and the Sandflies and midges won't come anywhere near you

Yeahbut; you can only piss on so many of 'em, y'know?

And there are quite a few...

[oldrider]

:yes: yep !!! that'll be me in 10 days :wings::wings::wings: booked to do Mangapouri power station tour :wings: as well as Milford sound :msn-wink: you guys had a beaut day for it :niceone:

Psssst :psst: It's actually Manapouri.

[Oakie]

Banish is a better product on the sandflies in Fiordland.:2thumbsup.

I used 'Sawyer Premium Maxi Deet' and it was awesome. Squirt on oil stuff that didn't smell that strong but stayed effective for ages. The sandflies came at me then all stopped about 5cm from my skin.

[Big Dave]

Yeahbut; you can only piss on so many of 'em, y'know?

And there are quite a few...

Pencil dick.