5th-6th Dec 18 - Overland from Dunedin to Milford Sound
We disembarked SS Mariner in Dunedin for a one
night overland. Steamer ride and BBQ on farm in Queenstown and then a fantastic journey
through amazing countryside to Milford Sound. Here we boarded a launch to take
us out to rejoin SS Mariner in the middle of the fjord.
Great experience.
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| The Railway Station at Dunedin built in 1880. |
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| Dunedin Railway Station was decorated with thousands of Royal Doulton tiles |
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| More lovely Rose Gardens as we stopped on our journey at Cromwell |
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| We made a stop at the Kawarau Bridge where AJ Hackett began the first commercial bungy operation in 1988. No - I didn't jump! Apparently it was originally free if you did it in the nude! |
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| The toilets along the route (these at Arrowtown) caused amusement. They were fully automated with speakers that told you how much time you had left before the whole cubicle was flooded and washed! Some people forgot to lock the door which caused embarrassment/amusement too! |
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| Lake Wakatipu at Queenstown. |
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| Overnight in the Novotel at Queenstown |
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| We were taken by steamer to the lovely Walter Peak High Country Farm for a BBQ and farm demonstration. |
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| TSS Earnslaw was launched in 1912. Served all the sheep farms and was the only means of transport for sheep and humans back then. |
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| Although 'too much information', this photo taken from the loo on board TSS Earnslaw as we returned to Queenstown. |
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| Following morning we were off again on the way to Te Anau. Lupins grow wild here. We had to jump a river to get this photo! |
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| Eglington Valley covered in grassland that swayed in the wind |
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| Mirror Lakes |
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| Start of the Scenic Route to Milford Sound |
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| The road wound across valleys and up and down hills with hairpin bends. Arch - our coach driver - was both a good driver and an excellent guide. There was nothing he didn't know! Although he did get his Foxgloves and Lupins confused! |
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| Now snowcapped mountains wherever you looked. It rains for over 200 days a year so we were very lucky to get a sunny day. Although, we were told, the waterfalls were stunning after it had recently rained. |
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| Multiple waterfalls down the steep cliffs |
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| Terrible photo but might give an idea of what it was like inside the 1.2km Homer Tunnel where our coach only just fitted! |
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| More photo stops. Again you can see the road we were on. |
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| More wonderful waterfalls |
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| A short hike to see The Chasm |
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| Eventually reached Milford Sound but no SS Mariner to meet us. We boarded a launch to the middle of the Sound and waited... |
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| On board the launch |
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| A great vantage point to view The Mitre - the highest mountain in the World that rises straight from sea level. It rises 5500ft straight from the waters of Milford Sound |
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| Eventually SS Mariner rounded the corner into Milford Sound |
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| Wonderful sight. We transferred on board and back to our 'home from home' where we watched from our balcony as we sailed out to (a very rough) sea |
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| Goodbye Milford Sound. Great trip ashore! |