We ate our lunch on the edge of the Milford Foreshore Walk. The loop is only 400 metres, winds between flax and toitoi.
A Kōtuku (white heron) kept us company, while a weka tried to steal our food in the carpark.Milford Sound is a stunning location, and the foreshore walk to the cruise terminal captures the nature of the area.
We needed to check in at 1.10 pm with the Southern Discovery cruise company for the 1.30 pm Cruise and underwater observatory. We put on insect repellant while we waited. The sandflies were huge!The cruise is about 3 hours in duration and includes a visit to a floating underwater observatory, to check out the rare black coral. The boat will take you so close to the waterfalls, you will need a raincoat.
As the boat leaves the terminal, the first waterfall we see is Hineteawa / Lady Bowen Falls, the largest waterfall (162m) in Milford Sound creates rainbows in the mist.
Because of the rain, temporary waterfalls cascaded down cliffs in the fjord. Everything was spectacularly beautiful.
A couple of urchins taking a break from waterfall watching.
The Stirling Falls / Waimanu Falls is one of the permanent waterfalls in Milford Sound. The waterfall height is 151 m. We will get closer on the cruise back.
There were a number of seals sunning themselves on rocks. Didn't see any dolphins or penguins, but they are also in the fjord.
Pixie and Fairy Falls. The boat got close enough for all those at the front of the boat could get wet.
I liked how the water rippled across the surface.
Pixie and Fairy falls.
Bridal Veil Falls in Milford Sound
Once we reached Anita Bay, the sea was rougher, and the boat rocked a lot.
Looking up the West Coast of Fiordland and the Tasman Sea.
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