Fourth day of my New Zealand trip. I woke up since 6AM to take a shower and get dressed. Today, I planned to have day trip to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The day-trip package cost was 249 NZD/person (155 USD).

The outside temperature was -1 ^oC. 🥶 But it could not stop my encourage, because I already booked and paid the day trip package to Great Sights already. 🤣 I walked from the hotel to InterCity Bus Stop Queenstown where the day trip is started, it is just only 5 minutes away.

.

.

Once all passengers are completely boarded the bus, the trip was started on-time at 7.10AM. Our driver had taken us along with lakeside road and also explained the story and information of every place we passed by. At 9.40AM, we had arrived Te Anau, the gateway town to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. We took a short break here for 30 minutes to have morning tea and enjoy the view of Te Anau Lake. Fortunately, when I was at the lake side, it had rainbow at the mountain in the background. I did not hesitate to miss to capture the miracle view. 🌈

.

.

.

.

We left Te Anau at 10.10AM and headed to Fiordland National Park. About 11AM, we reached Eglinton Valley, the steep rocky mountains covered in native beech forest line the valley. It has the flat floor of the valley which is covered in eye-catching golden tussock grass. We stopped here about 20 minutes to take photos of stunning view.

.

.

.

.

Next, we continued our trip on the Milford road and stopped at Mirror Lakes which is only 5 minutes away from Eglinton Valley. Mirror Lakes are the group of the lakes lying north of Lake Te Anau. On the steady weather day, the lakes surface is steady, the Earl Mountains can be seen reflected in the water. It has wooden walkway for short walking along the lakes. Luckily, it was a calm day, we could take the amazing photo by the mother of nature. 😃

.

.

It took only 5 – 10 minutes at Mirror Lake before headed to the destination of the day, Milford Sound. On the way, we could enjoy the mountains and waterfall view. I thought it is unique landscape what is able to find in South Island of New Zealand. 🇳🇿 Also, we stopped at Monkey Creek to spot the keas (Alpine parrots).

.

.

.

.

We arrived at Milford Sound at 1PM. It is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island and renowned for its towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and magnificent scenery. Milford Sound has been judged The World’s Top Travel destination in an international survey in 2008 by TripAdvisor. The cruise service is open daily, 8AM – 5.30PM. The cruising boat ticket is included in our day trip package. The driver gave us the ticket and lunchbox. We had about half an hour to relax. Our boat would depart to cruise for Milford Sound sightseeing at 1.30PM.

.

.

The boat was departed on-time. The weather is unpredictable here, sometime windy and rain, then suddenly sunny in 5 minutes later. However, the breathtaking view at Milford Sound made me forget about the weather. Just few minutes after departure, the first view with Bowen Falls was welcoming us !

The cruising took about 2 hours from departure point to the open sea and comeback to the origin. Throughout the way, it had plenty of interesting points and waterfalls. And, fortunately, we could spot the seals on the rocks too !

Our boat for cruising today 🛥️

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Can you spot the seal? 🦭🦭🦭

.

We returned to Milford Sound Cruise Terminal at 3.30PM. As we had to back to Queenstown which is 300 km away, we had left Milford Sound at 3.45PM. On the way back, we stopped at Te Anau Village for afternoon tea break at 5PM for 15 minutes before heading back to Queenstown. We arrived InterCity Bus Stop Queenstown at 8PM. After I debarked the bus and said “Big Thanks to the Driver for the wonderful day“, I headed to KFC store next to the bus stop. It is my own reason as I would like to try KFC in every country I visit. 😆 In my thought, I think KFC in New Zealand is similar to USA. 🍗🍟🥤

My fried Chickens with French Fries and Mashed potato at KFC – Queenstown 😋

.

I came back to the hotel at 9PM. Even it was the tired day as we travelled almost 600 km on the bus to Milford Sound for round trip. But the impression had covered up the exhausting. Because the new bit of my life had been written. I had seen the unique landscape of the valley in south island of New Zealands. The first time in my life to see fiord with cruising experience. Today, it would be one of the most rememberance day. I had no idea to explain you about the beauties what I had seen today unless you see it with your eyes. 😀 Good Night !

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

https://www.facebook.com/shipyshipdotcom