Day 10 – Monday 10th May 2010
How exciting we are going to Milford Sound!
In order to save time we have decided to fly to Milford Sound, do the cruise through the sound and fly back to Queenstown! This will save us almost 2 days and unfortunately at this stage we are running out of days!
The plane is a 10 seater and the smallest plane any of us have been on!
The views are amazing.
Properties around Queenstown
Snow capped mountains
Alpine lakes 
Milford Sound airport and harbour
The cruise took us through the sound and out to the Tasman sea before turning around and heading back. 
It was very, very cold and I didn’t last outside very long. Milford Sound is not actually a sound it is a Fjord (you’ll have to google the difference if you want to know further). Our guide told us that they receive 7 metres of rain a year, it rains 200 days out of the year and is one of the wettest places in the world that is inhabited.
The Sound is gorgeous, cliffs rise up to 1500 metres out of the sea and there are many waterfalls and beautiful lush green forest.
The Sound is also home to seals and dolphins.
On our flight home we had a bonus landing at Glenorchy, this was the first time I had experienced a grass strip landing and take off and I have to say that our pilot was fantastic!
Glenorchy was another location used in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, apparently the crew spent 18 months in the area filming!
Lucky Nicholas got to sit next to the pilot on the way back!
Lake Wakatipu is a beautiful colour and spans from Queenstown to Glenorchy along the base of The Remarkables (well known snow skiing range).
Queenstown from above.
We arrived back in Queenstown around lunch time wandered around the town for a bit.
Then made our way to the ShotOver River to experience a jet boat ride! 
In the late afternoon we went on the Gondola up 450 metres. Where we had gorgeous views over Christchurch.
We watched people do silly things!
We dined in the restaurant at the top and watched as the lights came on throughout Queenstown.
Queenstown to Milford Sound and back to Queenstown
Just a reminder if you would like to win an original 20" x 30" McCarthy Designs print just click here for all of the details!
xx
Wow again Nellie,
ReplyDeletei am just loving this holiday with you. You are very brave to get on that little plane, what spectacular views I am showing my hubby these pics. I think I need to go to New Zealand.
Stay safe and keep having fun.
Donna xx
What a beautiful way to see Milford! I love it there, it is such a magical place. It is cold though. I spent most of my time there in a wetsuit, brrrr! The gondola and shotover look like lots of fun!
ReplyDeletephoto's look amazing!!!
ReplyDeletei couldn't have gone in that plane though.. i did a 3 hr trip instead of 40 mins to dunk island QLD because i was too scared to hop in one of those- so i applaud you XXX
I've just been catching up on your trip to NZ again, Nellie. Your photos are so good. What a terrific trip. I really want to go there for a family holiday now.
ReplyDeleteThis has been truly a trip of a lifetime. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
ReplyDeleteWhat great pics! I loved Milford but didn't go in the plane. Queenstown was one of my favourite places in NZ - just so much to do! I love to go back there!
ReplyDeleteQueenstown looks so beautiful from that shot in the plane. I think you have definitely inspired me to want to go to NZ one day soon!! xx
ReplyDelete