Doubtful Sound: Day Eighty-Nine - Afternoon (16 January)

We went all the way to where the Sound joins the Tasman Sea then turned round because it was getting choppy and rejoined the coach at Deep Cove.

On the way back to Lake Manapouri we called at the Hydroelectric Power Station which is 213 metres below ground. It felt strange driving into it in a coach and it was bizarre seeing something so modern having just returned from almost primeval scenery but very interesting.


We braved more unmade roads on the drive back to Te Anau as we visited Rainbow Reach on the Kepler Track and walked across another swingbridge.

A tiring but lovely day.







Barnaby

Doubtful Sound: Day Eighty-Nine - Morning (16 January)

We were really lucky with the day we picked to visit Doubtful Sound as it’s often overcast in New Zealand’s Fjordland but the day of our cruise was beautiful with bright blue skies.

We caught the boat across Lake Manapouri and then joined a coach to reach the Sound itself, stopping en route at Wilmot Pass lookout, which has a fabulous view looking down on the Sound.

Our second boat had windows in the roof as well as along the sides so we could enjoy all around views of the stunning scenery and wildlife. Because the Sound has a layer of freshwater that floats on top of the seawater, it is home to marine animals, including dolphins, yet plants that need freshwater grow along its sides. The waterfalls were fantastic thanks to the recent rain.

Barnaby