Milford Sound Off The Beaten Path

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We spotted these unusual species of alpine parrot that can only be seen in the South Island of New Zealand. These little creatures are really inquisitive and would check out everything possible.

See if you can spot one of these creatures as you make your way to Milford Sound. We spotted some of these creatures at the entrance of Homer Tunnel.

As the saying goes, "It's not when you get there, but how you get there". The journey there brings you through many ups and downs, twists and turns of the roads. It's one of the more lovely drive in New Zealand.

You just have to stop at the Tunnel to admire how the people in the 1930s toiled over the construction of the tunnel. The road through the tunnel is only wide enough for one tour bus to go through even though its supposed to be dual lane. You will have to be careful if you're driving through the tunnel as the roads are constantly wet and you will also have to drive rather slowly down the gradient slope.

We waited around the entrance of the tunnel until the road was clear of buses as we did not want to get sandwiched between buses. Anyway, there were much to see around Homer Tunnel's entrance as well.

While the Milford Track is a popular track I know, the time we went Nov 2003 the department was considering closing the track due to heavy rain and avalanches. We ended up stranded at Clinton hut for 24 hr extra due to heavy rain. We where flooded in. after this we continues and the day we climbed the pass was a brilliant day. A thrill I would recommend that you take the side track to Sutherland Falls. When you get there you can walk right under and through the other side of the falls. It is slippery but worth while all the same. You will get wet but it is spectacular. All the same, enjoy the walk if you are planning to go. It is amazing.

Part of the keplar track walk, this can be done as a short walk from the car park, through very beautiful, ancient forest. Gigantic ferns and beech trees are remnants of when New Zealand was connected to the huge land mass, Gondwana land. Either way, watch out for those dinosaurs!

One of the many scenic stops on the way to Milford sound, The Chasm is well worth visiting. Nestled amongst snow capped mountains, there is a short boardwalk to the actual chasm, through pretty forest that is almost equally impressive. The Chasm itself is a giant drop through which water roars through, creating a deafening sound and an amazing spectacle of rushing water and eroded boulders.

Just remember the barriers are there for a reason, one hapless American tourist wishing for a better picture climbed over them, fell into the chasm and was killed.

The keplar track is a lesser known track, compared to the incredibly popular Milford Track. It is located not far from Te Anau and covers 60 km of track, with 3 huts to sleep in with basic facilities.

I walked from rainbow reach to some hut near a bay, where biting sandflies drove us away. The walk through the forest is amazing, the trees and ferns give the feeling of being in some primeval forest, and you half expect some dinosaur to come lurching out of the trees! The dark gloomy nature of the forest and the lack of noise (due to few animals) add to the ominous feel.

I loved it!

Except for the sandfly that bit my eye.

Just at the entrance of Homer Tunnel, there's the Homer Alpine Nature Walk. Lovely, but it looked to be an arduous walk. Do try it if you have the time and energy.