Fiordland Scenes

The road to Milford Sound is a major scenic attraction in itself.  It goes through spectacular mountain country with many fine places to camp, but no towns at all.  This is cool forest viewed from the start of the Routeburn Track, one of nine New Zealand Great Walks that traverse the spectacular wilderness the country has to offer.

Approaching Milford Sound, you see towering, jagged mountains.  Some have small glaciers, but they are receding as the climate warms.  Blow up the pic and you'll see a glacier on the mountain to the right that's located on a rather steep slope...it will probably tumble down before the century is out.

The rainforest here is similar to that on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.  Lush and otherworldly, a kingdom of green life.

Lake Gunn.

A massive red beech.  It does look like an ent!

This picture could be from Alberta, Montana, or Colorado, along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.  But, it's halfway between Te Anau and Milford Sound.  One thing I realized about New Zealand...it's one of the few countries...Switzerland is probably another...where every part is scenic!  Countries like Australia, Canada, and the US...all much bigger...have awesome beauty in many spots, but in other areas the landscape is dull and featureless.  Not so in NZ...it's gorgeous everywhere!

You drive through New Zealand and constantly come upon little gem spots like this one, where you can stretch, have a bit of a picnic, take a bathroom break, and just enjoy the beauty and the fresh air.