The Road to Milford Sound

There have been people staying in the Fox and Franz Josef townships for ten days. While they're nice towns, their activities could be exhausted in three or four days, max. However the Haast Pass, the road across the southern alps to Queenstown has been closed due to land slides. The only other route away from the west coast is to go north and over Arthur's Pass to Christchurch, a journey of 1000km if Queenstown is where you want to be.

The day after our glacier tour Alex and I hear rumours of the pass opening, so head down to road to wait in a queue of campervans. We're told by some sort of official that it might open later that afternoon. Four hours later everyone is turned away and we to go camp at a near by lake. The next morning we're back at 8:30, fourth in the line. The 'official' returns and says that there is a chance of going through at 9:30. - hurray. At 10:00 we're all taken through in convoy. The road over the mountains take about half an hour, 30 seconds of which is over a very muddy section of road where the land slides have happened.

Above: Queuing for the Haast Pass

We spend a night in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. I don't do any bungy jumping, sky diving or white water rafting, but I do have two of their famous 'Ferg Burgers' after a half an hour wait in a tourist filled cafe. Fillings include 'The Cheif Wiggum' (pork belly, hash brown and apricot mustard) 'The Bombay Chicken' (marinated chicken breast, lime and coriander rita and mango chutney), and the 'Bun Laden' (falafel with hunmus) as well as about twenty others.

Above: Ferg Burger

The next day we get on the road to Milford Sound, a five hour journey interrupted only by some sheep and a stop in the town of Te Annu to fill up with petrol, food and water and to confirm our booking for kayaking on the Sound. Then we get on the 119km dead end road to the Milford, the weather closing in as soon as we pull out of Te Anu. This is supposed to be one of the most beautiful drives in New Zealand, but I can hardly see five metres in front of me. Occasionally a mountian looms out of the mist.

Above: Sheep on the road.

Above: The road to Milford Sound

Part of the road is the 1200m long, very basic, Homer tunnel. It is simply a hole in the side of the mountain. No lights, no road markings and very steep. Every year the locals, made up mostly of kayak instructors, cruise boat drivers and those in hospitality have a naked running race down the length of it.

The closest DOC campsite is 40km before the town, so we park up and hope the weather clears up for tomorrow.

Above: The Homer Tunnel. Waiting at the fifteen minute lights

 in a 'No Stopping, Alavanch Zone'.