Queenstown and Milford Sound
Queenstown is New Zealand’s premier four season alpine resort town surrounded by towering mountains and nestled on the shores of the glacial Lake Wakatipu.
Queenstown has something to offer everyone. Leading Queenstown’s notoriety is its stunning natural environment where steep rugged mountains plunge into the depths of Lake Wakatipu. Winters snowpack makes way in summer to cascading rivers and thundering whitewater which cuts its way through kilometres of untouched natural terrain only seen by those keen to get off the beaten track and explore the hidden reaches.
A New Zealand trip wouldn’t be complete without seeing Milford Sound. Located on the southwest of South Island, it is in Fiordland National Park. Milford sound has a long and interesting history, from early Maori habitation to the first European explorers. Milford Sound was recognised by early colonists as a very special place and it been visited by curious explorers for over 200 years. Nineteenth century botanists have found rare plant life and the earliest photographers have documented it’s natural wonders.
The drive to Milford Sound is just as important as the cruise itself. A stunning alpine drive, visitors need to allow plenty of time to make the trip if travelling independently as this is a steep and windy highway. Numerous viewing points and short walking opportunities present themselves en route, providing a chance to get out of the car and drink in the spectacular scenery and the sheer scale of the landscape.
