Another big day
We’re picked up early from the van park by the tour bus, a 15 seater Merc minibus and it ends up being a full house, could be worse, we could be in a coach!
The drive in is pretty sensational and I’m glad we on the tour so I can just look out the window rather than needing to concentrate on the road. The Driver/Guide is an ex national parks guy so he really knows his stuff which helps too. We stop at a few places on the way in, including Mirror lakes. As it’s a really nice morning and no wind, once the ducks bugger off, we pretty much get the post card image. Then have a cuppa at Pop’s View lookout of Mt Christina. We stop briefly at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel, this 1.2km tunnel was blasted out of the rock in ’53. While technically dual lane, they operate it as a one way system, given most of the traffic heads out to Milford in the morning and returns in the afternoon apparently it’s not a big issue. Out the other end and we pull over for a view of the road snaking down the valley and there are a whole lot of Kias around obviously tourist must feed them. While cute, they’re a bit of a pest.
Homer Tunnel Entrance 
Homer Tunnel Exit 
Mirror Lake
We finally arrive in Milford and get ready for the boat trip up the Sound. There’s about 6 boats here and they’re all large, so tourism is a big thing here.
We’ve got a perfect day for it. Sunny, not too windy, cool, but not freezing. The boat slowly motors down the Sound. The scenery is breathtaking, seeing these sheer mountain walls, knowing that they keep going below the water line is impressive. We alternate between being up on the top deck, out the back deck, or warming up in the cabin. They even are fine with passengers being up on the bridge. The boat moves so slow, I’m not sure how the captain stays awake! Eventually we head all the way out of the Sound into the southern ocean. On our way back they do the bit where they put the bow of the boat under the water falls. There’s not too many people who want to get that wet. Apparently the waterfalls are pretty tame today, when it rains heavy or when snowmelt happens they can be a torrent.
The trip is good, the scenery is amazing and this is one of those things you have to do when you’re in this part of the country. However, I’m not sure I’d race back to do it again, I’m not sure if it’s the crowds on the boat (thankfully we not in a coach), or that it’s just one of those cookie cutter, wash, rinse, repeat, type experiences. Anyway, I’ve ticked that one off. I’d actually say I enjoyed the scenery on the drive in every bit as much as the boat ride on the sound itself.
The drive back is a bit quicker and we only make one stop to stretch our legs. I also get the front passenger seat so have a good view and chat with the guide. It must be a big day as Caitlin clocks out for a little while on the trip back. I must admit it would be such a huge day to try and do this from Queenstown. It would take a day to recover.
A nice dinner at the local pub, although the kids realise that Sundaes in NZ are a bit different, they like the ice-cream, but the straight cream they use here is a bit too much for them.
The walk back from the pub to the caravan park is only about 500mts or so, but it is FREEZING!. The wind off the lake is like ice!