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Travel Destination Guide - Milford Sound
Milford Sound (South Island, New Zealand) 
Milford Sound Information
Slideshow of Photos
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One of New Zealand's most famous attractions, Milford Sound with its views of the distinctive Mitre Peak, is the most visited fiord in the country and is certainly no disappointment.
More accessible than the equally spectacular Doubtful Sound, a day or overnight cruise on the usually calm inlet waters of Milford, feature on most South Island itineraries.
Accessible via an unbelievable scenic overland route, a cruise or scenic flight over Milford Sound offer close-up views of the countless waterfalls that stream down the slopes of the precipitous ice-carved mountains, which are draped in moss and bordered by fern-filled forests.
Seals and penguins can be spotted on rocks below the sheer cliffs and bottlenose dolphins will sometimes bow-ride the passenger boats. Although the area receives higher than average rainfall, this only adds to the dramatic atmosphere of the place.
The other way to explore Milford is on foot. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the best in the world and is suitably, very popular. A booking system is now in place to ensure that the track does not become overcrowded, but the effect of this means that advance booking is imperative. However, the Hollyford and Routeburn Tracks make more than adequate alternatives.
Locality:
Milford Sound is located in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located in an area that is know as the Fiorlands this can be found on the south eastern coastline.
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The flight from Queenstown through the Southern Alps to majestic Milford Sound is one of the most magnificent flights in the world. A full on-board commentary provided by Milford Sound Flightseeing gives interesting insights into the Fiordland National Park area, which has World Heritage status.
All flights connect with Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises so you can discover the sights and sounds of one of the world's most famous waterways. The return flight takes you past the stunning Sutherland Falls and over the McKinnon Pass.
The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Milford Sound is to enjoy a spectacular Milford Sound Red Boat cruise. Enjoy a full commentary and maybe view dolphins, seals and penguins, which are often seen in their natural habitat.
Many visitors travel into Milford Sound and take a launch cruise on the Sound beneath the grandeur of Mitre Peak. Dolphins, penguins, seals and seabirds are frequently seen.
The Underwater Observatory at Milford features spectacular varieties of coral, fishes and other sea life. Day excursions by coach with daily departures from Queenstown and Te Anau are available to Milford Sound. If time is short, you can fly from Queenstown, combining a spectacular flight with a cruise on Milford Sound.
Fiordland has a world wide reputation for its walking tracks which include the Milford Track, Kepler, Routeburn, Hollyford and Greenstone. The township of Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and the starting point for many of these treks.
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Population: 4.035.500
Languages: English, Maori (both official)
Currency: New Zealand dollar
Currency code: NZD
Local Times:
New Zealand - Auckland
New Zealand - Chatham Island
New Zealand - Wellington
Country Dialling Code: +64
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
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It's been Middle Earth and Narnia in the movies but New Zealand's beautiful landscapes are no fantasy.
With a varied and dramatic landscape, a long and significant cultural heritage, and some of the world's rarest and most fascinating plant and animal species, New Zealand is an ideal adventure travel destination. Take a trip here and discover why New Zealand has it all - from flightless birds to breaching whales and breathtaking fjords to erupting geysers.
New Zealand comes with a reputation as a unique land packed with magnificent, raw scenery : craggy coastlines, sweeping beaches, primeval forests, snow-capped alpine mountains, bubbling volcanic pools, fast-flowing rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky. The far north is a subtropical haven of unspoilt beaches, citrus fruits and hibiscus flowers, while volcanic mud pools and geysers feature in the central part of North Island. The South Island boasts whale watching, ice glaciers and rugged snow-covered Alps. And yes, there are many wide-open spaces.
What's more, everything is easily accessible, packed into a land area little larger than Britain and with a population of just 3.8 million, over half of it tucked away in the three largest cities : Auckland, the capital Wellington, and the South Island's Christchurch. Elsewhere, you can travel miles through steep-hilled farmland and rarely see a soul, and there are even remote spots which, it's reliably contended, no human has ever visited.
Geologically, New Zealand split off from the super-continent of Gondwanaland early, developing a unique ecosystem in which birds adapted to fill the role normally held by mammals, many becoming flightless through lack of predators.
Only in the last couple of decades has New Zealand come of age and developed a true national self-confidence, something partly forced on it by Britain severing the colonial apron strings in the early 1970s, and partly by the resurgence of Maori identity. Maori demands have been nurtured by a willingness on the part of most pakeha to redress the wrongs perpetrated over the last century and a half, as long as it doesn't impinge on their high standard of living or overall feeling of control. More recently, integration has been replaced with a policy of promoting two cultures alongside each other, but with maximum interaction. In this way New Zealand is set to forge through the new century with considerable dignity and a good deal of uncertainty.
The British represent the second largest group of visitors to New Zealand - after neighbouring Australia. But at 12,000 miles away from the UK it's a once-in-a-lifetime destination for many and takes a bit of planning.
Most British travellers either tack New Zealand on to the end of an Australian holiday and regret not having enough time, or take two or three weeks and race around like mad to see the whole country. While New Zealand is small enough to 'do' in that time, a more enjoyable option is to spend longer at just a few places - and then you have an excuse to go back! |
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Milford Sound Travel Awards
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