Day 9 (Tue 20 April) Te Anau to Milford Sound & back

Today is a LOTR-free day, as we visited Milford Sound.

On the way to Milford Sound

We headed off in the morning on SH 8 (Milford Road) which will take us all the way to Milford Sound.

[Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)]

This is the beautiful Eglington Valley, enclosed by mountain ranges on either side. The day looks very cloudy but so far no rain.

We stopped by Mirror Lakes, which are famous for their near perfect reflections of the mountain scenery during still days.

The waters weren't completely still on the day, so the "mirror" effect is not there, although you can still make out the outlines of the mountain range.

This is Hollyford valley, enshrouded by mist.

The entrance to Homer Tunnel, which is 1219m long with a gradient of 1:10. Construction of the tunnel began in 1935 but it was not finished till 1953.

There are sheer mountain ranges on either side of the entrance to Homer Tunnel. These snow deposits are present all year round.

The rain has formed mini-fountains running down the rocks.

Inside the Homer Tunnel.

Densely populated and moss-covered beech forest at The Chasm, a popular tourist stopping point.

The Chasm is a very deep and narrow gorge cut through space between rocks.

The Cleddau River plunges into the chasm.

Milford Sound

At Milford Sound, we are greeted by an impressive view of Mitre Peak (Rahotu) which rises 1672m above the sea.

Our cruise boat, operated by Real Journeys, arrives to pick us up.

Milford Sound looks mysterious and magical under a layer of clouds.

The boat looks like this (actually, this is a shot of a sister boat, not the one we boarded).

Milford Sound is a popular tourist destinations. This boat allows visitors to stay overnight in the Sound.

This is a picture of Bowen Falls, 160m, named after Lady Bowen who visited Milford Sound in 1871.

Some New Zealand fur seals lying on rocks. They tend to feed on squid, octopus and barracuda at night.

This mighty Stirling Falls, 155m, named after Captain Stirling of HMS Clio.

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Day 10 (Wed 21 April) - Te Anau to Queenstown

Today is the last day of the guided tour as we visit several locations around Queenstown on SH 94, then 6. We travelled from Te Anau in the morning, stopping by at various locations including Deer Park Heights (Rohan), Arrowtown (Ford of Bruinen), Twelve Mile Delta (Ithilien), and Amon Hen. In the evening, we had a farewell dinner for the Fellowship at the Skyline buffet restaurant perched on top of Bob's Peak. On the way from Te Anau to Queenstown We stopped by again for a short break in the town of Garston , supposedly the most inland town in the South Island. [Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)] This is the view from another picturesque stop, at Devils Staircase on SH 6. Anwen at Devils Staircase. This sheep station nestled amidst mountains is only accessible via a boat. Deer Park Heights Queenstown as seen from Deer Heights Station. Queenstown airport as seen fr...

Day 8 (Mon 19 April) Cromwell to Te Anau

We head off towards Mavora Lakes, where several scenes were filmed, including the breaking of the Fellowship. In the afternoon, we arrived at the lakeside town of Te Anau . On the way to Mavora Lakes (Fangorn Forest) Sunrise in Cromwell. "Blood has been spilled in the night." [Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)] Garden next to a fruit shop on the way to Mavora Lakes. Row of poplar trees with yellow leaves. This is where Gandalf called for Shadowfax on the edge of Fangorn Forest. If you look at his feet carefully you will notice he is wearing modern sports shoes. "He sprang away, calling Shadowfax as he ran." "The great horse tossed his head. His flowing tail flicked in the moonlight. Then he leapt forward, spurning the earth, and was gone like the north wind from the mountains." (LOTR, Book III, Chapter XI, page 619) This is the location...

Day 7 (Sun 18 April) Twizel to Cromwell

We started the day early at sunrise leaving Twizel for the Pelennor Fields (in reality part of Ben Ohau Station ). We then passed through Omarama and Lindis Pass and stopped by at a pine forest where the Flight to the Ford was filmed. In the afternoon we visited Bonspiel Station, where a number of the Rohan scenes were filmed. Ben Ohau Station (Pelennor Fields) This is a view of Mt. Cook (Aoraki) . [Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)] The Pelennor Fields is located on private land forming part of Ben Ohau Station on the outskirts of Twizel. "And now the fighting waxed furious on the fields of the Pelennor; and the din or arms rose upon high, with the crying of men and the neighing of horses." (LOTR, Book V, Chapter VI, page 879) Simon Cameron is the owner of Ben Ohau, as well as our guide. The road to nowhere, built specially for filming. Interesting...

Lord of the Rings New Zealand Tour

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