Cruise day in Milford Sound

2 May 2018
Milford sound NZ

Having never been to South Island before, I decided to spend a short weekend in Queenstown including a cruise in Milford Sound. This is a Fjord located in the Fiordland Nature Park.

  • Cruise in Milford Sound

  • Tour from Queenstown

As I don’t have a campervan in the South Island (yes because I just bought a campervan!) I chose to go through a tour operator from Queenstown. You will find several going to Milford Sound at a reduced price on Book me. I chose the one from Southern Discoveries that I got at $149. The departure is at 7am to arrive at the cruise departure around 1pm.

The bus tour stops several times to admire waterfalls as well as other nice places. We have a little break in Te Anau for breakfast! Weather a bit rainy and cloudy for this day so the photos are not all splendid but it adds a side a bit mystical (including the mirror lake). You will also meet a lot of Kea (a local parrot) rather very curious and friendly with cars.

 

  • Milford Sound

It was the first time I went to a Fjord, I dreamed about it! By cons if you wanted to avoid mass tourism, it’s missed! It’s funny besides I rarely see that much in other tourist places of NZ (at least in North Island) but the Milford Sound is famous for that. Start cruising with a lunch (if you chose the option) observing the first waterfalls. The boat that I had taken approached besides very close to the cascades, soaking guaranteed if you stay outside!!

So I went on this cruise in April, early fall. It was cold! The sun playing hide and seek could not warm us enough. So I did not stay outside as I usually do on a boat. Some time at warm place (and especially sheltered from the wind) were necessary!

During this cruise, in addition to the beautiful landscapes and waterfalls we could also observe :
– a sea lion
– a complete rainbow
These observations depend on the day when we go of course!

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  • Queenstown

  • Arrival in the city

I arrived on Friday night at Queenstown by plane. Once at the airport a bus (number 1) will take you to the center of Queenstown for $10. If you plan to stay several days and travel by bus, take a top up card that will cost you less! I had a bed in the Base Backpackers. The heating worked very well but in my area it was a bit difficult to find a shower working properly. It’s in one of the main streets and not far from the departure for the Milford Sound. Be careful, the city is often full! Book in advance otherwise you’ll be left high and dry.

  • The botanical garden

Sunday morning, after a breakfast at Starbucks, I headed for the botanical garden. I took the path that runs along Wakatipu Lake which I loved the color !! Despite the sun I still had my winter coat, a scarf, gloves and a woolly hat … The total! I went back through the rose garden which was still very well flowered!

I then went to a massage center to relax for 1:30 (also booked on bookme). Given my fatigue of the moment I felt that I really needed!

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  • The fergburger

There is a prerequisite in Queenstown, the Fergburger. It is located in Shotover Street, with the long queue you can’t miss it !! I took the basics personally and was able to find myself a small place on the outdoor benches (at this time the sun was heating even enough to put off the coat). Honestly the burger is good but when you are French and you are used to good beef it is nothing exceptional! At this moment, “my” Coltrane bar missed me even more 😉. I also tried their ice cream not bad (ok when you are in NZ must learn not to be finicky!)

  • Skyline

I then went for a ride on the heights of Queenstown taking the Skyline. It’s a cable car that takes directly to the top. Note that for the bravest we can also go on foot! Round trip costs $39 (yes it is not cheap).

Once at the top you can go for a walk in the forest or take a sledge ride in a circuit (without snow). Moreover, there are packages to take down so that it costs less. You can also go mountain biking, the company that deals with it is also down.

  • The way back

After staying on the shores of the lake to admire the sunset (and take some pictures in long exposure) I went back to the airport. Transport level it was a little weekend disaster (I had already had problems to go). After a little delay I returned to Auckland. Attention, the domestic airport closes at 23:30 and there is no skybus after 10:30 pm except if you request on (don’t know how to request) so I took an Uber).

The Uber’s driver has been delighted to make detours … So instead of the $42 announced at the start the final fare is announced at $73! We see very well the detours on the map so I immediately brought claim. And I had the good surprise to see that it was taken into account automatically (no need to fight). They take into account the average price (here $38) to reevaluate the stroke of the race and you are refunded a few days later the difference.

  • Summarize

The roads of the South Island are really beautiful! I would love to come back to Queenstown too! Having a busy program I couldn’t really enjoy the nightlife but it looks very nice too :). I look forward to discover other facets of this beautiful island!

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33 Comments

  • Reply Naturofeel Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 08:55 AM

    Quels magnifiques paysages.. j’espère y aller un jour et ton article m’a donné encore plus envie 😙

  • Reply Petite Voyageuse Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 09:10 AM

    Quelle chance de vivre en Nouvelle-Zélande !
    Les paysages ont l’air tout simplement magnifiques ! On a envie d’ouvrir ses poumons et de prendre un bon bol d’air frais ! ☀️
    C’est un peu loin de la Bretagne pour partir en voyage en ce moment mais je l’ajoute à ma liste !

    • Reply Travelandrun Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 09:21 AM

      C’est vrai que c’est loin mais ça en vaut la peine 😊 mais bon faut avoir le temps !

  • Reply ecritureamoureuse Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 09:36 AM

    Non mais ces photographies sont juste incroyables ! Merci pour ce partage ou tout simplement ce voyage à travers ton article.
    Belle journée.

    • Reply Travelandrun Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 10:02 AM

      Oh merci pour les photos 😘

  • Reply Lucile in Wonderland Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 09:53 AM

    C’est tellement beau ! Tu as dû en prendre plein les yeux

  • Reply ANDRE Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 11:02 AM

    ces paysages sont magnifique … On en prend plein les yeux; j’avoue que j’ai bien envie de plannifier ça rapidement 😉

  • Reply Alison Wednesday May 2nd, 2018 at 02:32 PM

    Wouha ça donne tellement envie ! Je suis très attirée par les pays nordique et j’espère qu’un jour je pourrais y aller 🙂

  • Reply Wild Amanda Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:38 AM

    Comme d’habitude c’est magnifique !
    (wildamanda.com)

    • Reply Travelandrun Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:06 PM

      Merci 😊

  • Reply Threenity Friday May 4th, 2018 at 11:38 AM

    Tes photos en mettent vraiment plein la vue ! Les paysages sont époustouflants. Des bisous,
    Threenity

    • Reply Travelandrun Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:07 PM

      Merci, c’est le paysage qui en met plein la vue 😊

  • Reply NADDAS Friday May 4th, 2018 at 12:15 PM

    Tes photos sont tout simplement M.A.G.N.I.FI.Q.U.E.S

    • Reply Travelandrun Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:07 PM

      Merci 😊

  • Reply lmvoyager.noemi Friday May 4th, 2018 at 04:48 PM

    J’adore ! En fait j’ai lu “fjord” et je me sus précipitée sur l’article, sans savoir que tu parlais de la NZ hahaha j’ai pas vraiment été plus loin dans la réflexion !
    Mais malgré que tu dises que les “conditions météorologiques” n’étaient pas top, j’aime bien perso tes photos ! Ca donne en effet un côté mystique :*
    J’espère vraiment avoir la chance un jour d’aller en NZ !
    Bisous de Prague :*
    Noemi

    • Reply Travelandrun Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:07 PM

      Ahah oui c’est trompeur 😉

  • Reply Caro Bleue Violette Friday May 4th, 2018 at 06:06 PM

    La Nouvelle-Zélande est une destination qui me fait rêver… à cause du Seigneur des Anneaux ^^ !
    Chaque fois que je revois la trilogie, je suis baba devant les paysages.

    Et c’est marrant de se dire qu’il y a aussi des fjords dans le Sud… comme quoi ils n’existent pas qu’en Norvège ^^ ! Je sais qu’il y en aussi au Canada.

    • Reply Travelandrun Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:08 PM

      Oui moi aussi au début je pensais qu’aux pays nordiques !

  • Reply Une crépue banale Friday May 4th, 2018 at 09:36 PM

    Nouvelle-Zélande juste magnifique il n’y a rien d’autre à dire ça rappelle de bons souvenirs paysage agréable tout comme la population franchement juste magnifique😅

    • Reply Travelandrun Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:08 PM

      Oui ils sont super sympas !

  • Reply jolieslueurs Friday May 4th, 2018 at 09:49 PM

    Superbe ! L’arc en ciel est juste magnifique 🙂 Et j’adore le petit perroquet local, le Kea 😉

    • Reply Travelandrun Friday May 4th, 2018 at 10:09 PM

      Moi aussi! En plus ils viennent à la porte des voitures pour faire coucou (ok bon aussi réclamer à manger 😂)

  • Reply Laparenthesedor Friday May 4th, 2018 at 11:45 PM

    Tes photos sont superbes (notamment l’arche en ciel) !!

    • Reply Travelandrun Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 08:00 AM

      Merci 😊

  • Reply Plume Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 12:32 AM

    Aller au bout du monde… et se faire arnaquer par un uber, fait lol.
    Je suis aussi surprise que toi sur le sav.
    A part ça ton article est très complet et tes photos sont superbes

    • Reply Travelandrun Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 08:00 AM

      Merci ! C’est la première fois, ça m’est jamais arrivé à Paris !

  • Reply La Maudite Française Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 04:12 AM

    C’est vraiment étonnant, je trouve que sur certaines photos il y a un petit air “Canadien”! ça donne envie 🙂

    • Reply Travelandrun Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 08:01 AM

      Je connais pas encore le Canada pour pouvoir comparer, peut être un jour 😊

  • Reply Bohaa Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 08:29 AM

    C’est tout simplement magnifique !

  • Reply Salomé Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 09:46 PM

    J’adorerais y aller, les paysages sont magnifiques !

  • Reply alchimiecoaching Sunday May 6th, 2018 at 10:20 AM

    J’aime beaucoup tes photos ça donne un petit côté mystique. Ca a l’air d’être vraiment à découvrir en tout cas !

  • Reply Rose Capsule Monday May 7th, 2018 at 03:51 PM

    À chaque fois que je vais faire un tour sur ton blog, j’y découvre toujours des paysages magnifiques ! Cela donne envie de faire ses bagages tout de suite ! 😀

  • Reply Queenstown - Wanaka - Travel and run Tuesday December 4th, 2018 at 01:11 PM

    […] En arrivant depuis la West Coast, Queenstown fut le premier stop. Peut-être pas l’ordre le plus logique mais ma travelmate avait prévu un couchsurfing à Queenstown immédiatement. Les balades autour de Wanaka se sont donc faites dans un deuxième temps. Je n’ai pas passé beaucoup de temps dans Queenstown, j’y étais déjà allée en avril […]

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