It has only been 3 weeks since our last stint in Fiordland. When mother nature provides us with a window of opportunity weatherwise, it is only fair we oblige and pay another visit to Cascade Creek in Fiordland National Park.
Previous Visits to Fiordland
You could say that we are ‘frequent flyers’ when it comes to visiting Fiordland. I have previously posted a couple of blogs on our stay at Cascade Creek DoC Camp.
Click here to read our last blog “Fabulous Fiordland”. Our first stay at Cascade Creek was during winter. Click here to read our first blog on exploring the Milford Rd.
We were fairly physical on our last visit so we were planning on being a little bit more relaxed and intended on spending some time just enjoying our surroundings at Cascade Creek DoC Camp.
We were delighted that our favourite spot was vacant…..actually, pretty much the entire camp was vacant!
I won’t go into the history and facilities of the camp as I covered this off in my last couple of blogs. We were crossing our fingers that our spot beside the river and firepit would be vacant.
Space around us, a handily placed firepit beside the river and a panoramic mountainous view – perfect
We needn’t have worried as we were the only ones in the entire park when we arrived mid-afternoon.
You have to be prepared to share your site with the ‘Team of 5 Million’ sandflies. Essential equipment…..citronella, mozzie coil, Bushmans Repellent and a G&T
Annual DoC Pass
We purchase a yearly DoC Annual Pass. There have been some changes to the pass this year and now anyone and everyone can purchase one on the DoC website. This costs us $280 (x2 adults).
It doesn’t take us long to be in the ‘green’ and get our monies worth when staying in any of the DoC campsites, especially along Milford Road. They are all $15pp per night so we’re already in credit after only 4 months.
There are rules and restrictions on some campsites, especially regarding when you can use them. Make sure you check these out first. Click here for more information.
Cruising Milford Sound
We had decided to do the ‘touristy thing’ and booked a Milford Sound cruise. I did the math and it was at least 26 years since I last cruised the sounds.
Businesses need all the help they can get in the current environment, so it was a ‘no brainer’ for us to book a trip out on the water and spend some time renewing our love of this amazing fiord.
Milford Road (SH94)
Although Cascade Creek DoC Campsite is the closest to Milford Sound, you still need to allow approximately 1.5hrs to drive to Milford Sound.
no matter how often you travel Milford Rd, you will always find a different spot for your ‘wow’ moment
This includes photo stops, what I like to call ‘wow’ stops and of course, the traffic light waiting to enter the Homer Tunnel.
I was delighted to see that we had a 6-minute wait for a green light. Plenty of time to count the waterfalls and get a few photos
I reckon this is the only time you really want to get a red light as this gives you enough time to sit there and count the waterfalls. I also often sit there and marvel at the engineering feat you see before you.
After the tunnel there are many twists and turns as you make your way to the sounds – make sure to allow plenty of time.
I would fully recommend a ‘coach & cruise’ option from Te Anau, especially if this is your first time. You can sit back and relax and enjoy the commentary and the scenery.
Tutoko Suspension Bridge was built in 1940 over the Tutoko River for the highway to Milford Sound. The bridge was replaced in 1981 with the current more modern version.
Arriving at Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Times have certainly changed. In a “past life” Scotty and I were involved in the tour driving industry. Scotty in particular spent many hours behind the wheel of a coach, transporting tourists into Milford Sound. The tour coaches would be lined up, often waiting to park up in the designated parking bays to offload their passengers and then await their return. It was then a mass exodus back out after the cruise.
The once busy terminal currently hosts only a handful of boat passengers
Today, it seemed quite surreal for us to wander the near-empty angle parks. The once-bustling terminal, now a silent, albeit peaceful spot with just a trickle of local sightseeing business.
The numerous coach parking bays sit empty when once they were lining up for a spot
It’s worth noting that if you wish to park your vehicle in the main carpark area, it will cost you $25 for 5 hours or $50 for overnight parking.
If you have the time and the weather is perfect, it is well worth the walk from Deep Water Basin to the terminal for views like this.
As we had arrived early and it was such a beautiful day, we parked at Deep Water Basin and wandered along the walkway to the ferry terminal. It took us around 15 minutes and it’s a pleasant walk on a ‘good weather’ sort of day.
Mitre Peak Cruises
If you are wanting to take a cruise on Milford Sound, you have a few choices, more choices to choose from than 26 years ago that’s for sure.
Do your research, and see what deals are going on at the time. It is a tough time for a lot of businesses, none more so than those in the hospitality and tourism industry. We often check out what’s on offer, not necessarily to find the cheapest, rather than to get the best value for money.
We don’t do the ‘touristy thing’ very often, so we want to know that what we are spending is going to be worth it……the most ‘bang for our buck’.
Mitre Peak Cruises have modern and comfortable vessels with great viewing decks
We checked out bookme.co.nz to see what was on offer. Mitre Peak Cruises timings suited us, they had great reviews and at $59pp for a 2-hour cruise, seemed like great value for money. Just remember to make your bookings before driving or entering the Fiordland National Park as there is no internet or cellphone coverage past Te Anau Downs.
It’s a Fiord, not a Sound
Yup, you read right. Milford Sound was actually formed by a glacier over a million years ago, therefore it earns the name ‘fiord’. However, they didn’t think about that when the early explorers named it after Milford Haven in Wales. Captain Cook actually sailed right past the entrance 3 times as it has a tricky 90-degree turn at the beginning. This makes it nearly invisible from the ocean.
There really isn’t anything better than sitting back and enjoying the ride!
The fiord runs 15km inland and what makes it extra spectacular is the sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres skyward on either side.
There are only two permanent waterfalls, Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. However, it is a totally different story when it rains. And rain, it certainly does (a lot), over 6,000mm a year. It is only then that you witness the many temporary waterfalls that form, running down the steep-sided rock faces. So much so, that the mountains look like they are crying.
I was quite happy to stay in the confines of the cabin to view the waterfall up close! There were a few hardy souls on the bow who got a free shower.
The Skipper made sure that the passengers on the bow of the boat got “up close and personal” with the Stirling Falls!
No matter what the weather, there are waterfalls putting on a show.
Wildlife
It was encouraging to learn and see that the wildlife in Milford Sound is alive and well.
Can you spot the little penguin family – they’re contemplating their dive into the surging waters below.
And they’re off…….Scotty had to be pretty quick on the camera shutter to capture them in mid-flight!
Another wildlife family – this time seals basking in the sun on the warm rocks.
It is home to a variety of mammals, which include seals and the Fiordland penguin. The Skipper told us that they often see bottlenose dolphins, humpback and southern right whales. Unfortunately, they didn’t want to play with us today.
It’s a Privilege
We feel that it is a privilege to be able to just pop in and explore the Fiordland National Park.
Driving through Fiordland National Park along SH94 shows NZ’s wild side at its best. In fact, Milford Sound was described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world”. He knew what he was talking about.
Love ’em or loath ’em, you just gotta love Lupin season
If you have been thinking about exploring the Fiordland National Park, I would encourage you to do it sooner rather than later. It has made such a difference not having the excessive amount of overseas tourists visiting the area either by coach, car or campervan. It’s given mother nature time to breathe, regenerate and relax just a bit.
Click on the link below to view a video of the highlights of our time in Fiordland National Park.