Te Anau and Milford Sound

2019-02-15

Link to PHOTOS and VIDEOS Album

I normally do not make reservations until early afternoon of the day I need a place. This was not possible for Te Anau. Nor was it OK for Invercargill. The night before I left for Te Anau, I could find nothing reasonable. All were in the many hundreds range, and there were precious few of those. I was thinking I would have to change my plans, but the next morning a few opened up. There must have been some cancellations. The only room, and I mean that singular, that was affordable was $120 US, the rest were in the hundreds. The Place I chose, the Fiordland Hotel, was truly scary outside. It looked like it was going to fall down, or burn down. The inside was antiquated, like early 60's vintage (1960's not 1860's which would have been cool) but it was adequate and an easy walk to the great but crowded restaurants and bars in town.

As things turned out, I ended up staying another 2 nights as I was talked into taking the Doubtful Sound Trip. More on that later.

Before I could stay I had to find a place as the Fiordland Hotel was full. There was NOTHING on Air BnB or Booking other than some tent sites. A woman at the Information booth helped me out, and got me in contact with a woman that has a few rooms but does not normally rent them out unless someone really needs a room. It was a very nice room, bed and bath. But for $135 US. Not a bad deal all in all. I had originally planned on spending that second night in Invercargill, but booking.com had NO places available, and there were only a few on Air BnB. There were more options the following night, so I picked an Air BnB for $21. It was a room in a very small, clean and nice two bedroom house. Just as useful for me as the $135 place in Te Anau. Such is the ways of travel.

Anyway ....

Bungy Jumping

This is the first commercial bungy jump in the world. Near Queenstown.



full size




full size


If you do it right, you can dip your head in the water.

full size


This woman could not step off the platform. Could you?

full size




full size




full size


This woman took off so fast I could not get a photo of her on the platform. No Fear.

full size




full size




full size


They collect your body in the rubber raft.

full size




full size


MILFORD SOUND

The ride to Milford sound is stunning, with plenty of places to pass. The locals were complaining about all the traffic, but by US tourist destinations, this place was nearly empty.

If you go, please note that Milford Sound is 110 Km from Te Anau, and the last gas you will find is in Te Anau with none available in Milford Sound, plan accordingly. There are boat trips out into the sound that are supposed to be fantastic. I can only imagine as the view from shore is pretty great.



full size




full size




full size




full size




full size




full size




full size