Dunedin - Gore - Te Anau - Milford Sound Milford Sound is the most famous and accessible of the grand glacier carved fiords scattered along western coast of New Zealand's South Island. According to The Legend of Maori, it was the greatest achievement of Tu-te-raki-whanoa. Maori believed that Piopiotahi which means Milford Sound was carved by him with his adze Te Hamo and its beauty was so much admired by the Goddess of the underworld Hine-nui-te-po who afraid that human would not want to leave this piece of inspiring wonder, she released sand-flies to frighten human away from Milford Sound.
Milford Sound is nested in the world heritage Fiord Land National Park and has been described as one of the natural wonders of the world.
Stunning waterfalls crashing down into the serene waters become part of the beautiful scenery of this famous fiord.
The cruise takes about two hours to travel the 16km long fiord from the head to open sea of Tasman.
Excursions to the open sea by boats from southern most end of Milford Sound to experience its beauty and watch the natural life of wildlife like seal, dolphins etc on open sea.
162 meter high Bowen falls.
The sound is dominated by the stunning Mitre Peak which is about 1700 meter high pinnacle of rock. Southernland falls is one of the sterling falls at the fiords.
The majestic scenery of Milford Sound.
The head of Milford Sound buzzes with sand-flies. The length of the fiord from the head to Tasman Sea is 16km and the boat takes about two hours to travel through the full length. Besides cruising, loop forest walk also offers great view of water falls and rock formation.
Stunning view of "Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain" at Homer Tunnel way to Milford Sound.
The 30km long way from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound is highly scenic. Passing through dense forest, river flats, small lakes, mountainous area before dropping towards the forested upper Hollyford valley at Marian Camp. Spectacular roadside views over Hollyford valley and look out for Kea, one of the rare birds of New Zealand.
Homer Tunnel is a one km long unlined road tunnel sloped down towards Milford Sound with a dropping of 690 meters in 10km between sheer mountains. It was named after the man who discovered this saddle between Hollyford and Cleddau valleys in 1899. It took 5 years to construct and was completed in 1940 and sufficiently widened for road traffic in 1953.
The impressive rock chasm formed by rushing waters of the Cleddau River.
Mackay falls at Milford Track.
Mirror Lake is the small tarns at roadside famous for their mountains reflections especially in a clear day as this.
The vast wilderness at Te Anau.
Lake Te Anau overlooked by Mt Luxmore and Murchinson, is the largest lake in South Island of New Zealand.
The little town of Te Anau
Takahe is one of New Zealand rarest birds.
The Pleasant Bay at Te Anau.
The golden falls color of native bushes at Te Anau.
A scenic way from Dunedin to Te Anau. About 200km away from Dunedin is the little town Gore with a population of only 1400 people. It is famous for its trout fishing.
Dunedin, fully embraced at the head of a bay, is known as New Zealand's Scottish city as well as Victorian city. With a population of about one hundred thousand people. it is a green-belted city of peace and tranquility. The shallow-bottomed fjord Otago Harbor haven plied with container ships and coastal traders is 20km in length. Both north and south of Dunedin are coastlines of immense natural beauty.
Dunedin has many kind of this little scheme apartment which normally consist of 10 to 15 individual units with full amenities for rental . It was very clean, convenient and comfortable.
Octagon is a popular lunch spot in the city with tall and leafy trees . Dunedin Town Hall at Octagon has 2280 seats which was the largest in the country.
St Paul's Cathedral has four 130 ft high Gothic pillars to support the stone vaulted nave roof and the four manual organ has 3500 pipes. In front of it is a sitting statue of Scottish poet Robbie Burns and next to it are the century old Victoria styled Municipal Chambers housed no government offices now but act as conference facilities and visitor center for the city.
Renaissance styled Dunedin Railway Station is the finest stone structure in the country. With beautiful church like stained-glass internally, it has a square tower with 120 feet in height, three huge clock faces and a covered carriage way projecting from the arched colonnade, appeared like a gingerbread. Now it offers a service of only two passenger trains a day.
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden at Portobello Road offers extensive fusion of trees, native ferns and wide range of flowers species. It takes about 20 minutes scenic drive from Dunedin.
The garden started establishing in the year 1871 covered a land of 30 acres.
It is a historical garden of national significance.
The garden is operated by charitable organization and there are artists in residence.
Enjoy its tranquility and also a panoramic harbor views.
A guided tours with center professor to view and watch how the Chaplinesque yellow-eyed penguins strut in the surf.
Taiaroa Head is at the tip of Otago peninsula and one mile east of it, is the breeding center of yellow-eyed penguins. which remain less and less number in the world.
There were also seals on Penguin Beach. Little huts near the sea or at hilly site at Penguin Place were built for the breeding of penguins without any external disturbance or disruption.
Observatory area at Penguin Place to watch the life of this near extinguished species. One of the female was in the hut ready to breed baby while male was out to hunt for food. When the baby was borne, the male would take full care of the young ones and female take the turn and go out to hunt for food. Penguins are the most cooperative couple among animals including human.
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