Milford Sound Travel

Few places can match the stunning beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. Words, like photographs, fail to do the place justice. One of the main attractions on the South Island is Milford Sound, located in the southwest corner of the island. Milford Sound is situated within Fiordland National Park, the largest national park in New Zealand.

This is home to the Southern Alps, and is one of the least populated areas on the South Island, which in turn is less populated than the North Island. Most of Fiordland is a heavily forested area in a breathtaking setting. With more than 200 days of rain annually, the region is a the wettest inhabited area of New Zealand and is also considered to be one of the wettest areas in the world. This, however, does not put a damper on the sand flies’ primary activity, annoying the visitors with their painful bite. It’s only mentioned here because few travel books will.

Milford Sound is a magnet for tourism. However, because of its remote location, the tour schedule is quite structured and predictable. Consider renting your own car to discover this region, as your photography schedule - early mornings and late evenings - provides the opportunity of little interaction with the daily tourist traffic.

Several tour companies offer boat tours of the the sound (fiord), lasting from 1-2 hours to overnight tours. With over half a million tourists annually to the sound, it is easily New Zealand’s top draw. Tour buses arrive daily, yet the nearest population centers are several hours away, so early mornings and evenings at the sound have a surreal calm quality about them.

However, instead of fretting over the crowds, take a different angle.  Just as with the rest of the country, get to know some of the local people.  You will find the Kiwis to be some of the friendliest and warmest human beings you will ever meet.  Should you run into any sort of problem, it’s almost a given that a helping hand is close by.  

New Zealand is one of those gems in the arena of beautiful photography. As is true of so many places one visits for the first time, photographic images seem to be around ever turn in the road and every bend in the trail. Like a child in a candy store, an overwhelming feeling is easily achieved. Amateur and professional alike will find this country to be daunting. This should not stop one from bringing that great New Zealand photo home to your image library.

Remember, because of the wet climate, you’ll want to take the necessary precautions in keeping your photography equipment as dry as possible. While today’s professional digital slr cameras are amazing in their quality, their very nature is one of electronic and technological breakdown if not careful in their handling. Keep that bag full of electronic genius as dry as possible.

For the serious photographer, make sure you understand there is no short list of places to photograph on the island. Wise will be the photographer who allows at least three weeks to begin scratching its surface. This country requires quality rain gear and river boots. Mosquito netting, for those pesky sand flies, is even more essential.

Milford Sound is also the last stop along the famous Milford Track, ending appropriately at Sandfly Point. Affectionately known as “the finest walk in the world”, it takes you through rainforest and stunning alpine scenery.

The Milford Sound region of New Zealand must be why the country’s Pure New Zealand campaign was created. Long after that long flight home, its pristine setting will remain seared in your mind.