Day Trips
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Fiordland National Park
A day trip from Milford Sound can take you through the 14 fiords in Fiordland National Park. Real Journeys Excursions have several different day trips that are interesting and take you to see some of the most beautiful scenery on the face of the earth. It is advisable to go in these areas with a guide because of the natural wildlife and the remoteness of the area.
Doubtful Sound
Visit Doubtful Sound and area of wilderness and wildlife that is much larger than Milford Sound. Here bottlenose dolphins and seals play in the waters and you may even see the crested penguin that roams the area. This is an area of untouched wilderness and filled with caves, peaks, and rainforests. It is hard to believe there is civilization only a short way away.
An excursion to Doubtful Sound starts with a cruise across Lake Manapouri and then a bus ride over Wilmot Pass through the rainforest. At the sound you go by catamaran manned by a naturalist that will give you information about the area. This tour costs about $200 for adults and $50 for children, but it is well worth it.
Included in the Doubtful Sound Excursion is a trip to the Manapouri Underground Power Station. You can also go there on its own in another excursion. This Power Station can’t be seen from land. The only thing you will see is a control building, switchyard and some electrical lines going across one area of the lake. Everything else is underground. Here the water of the lake generates electricity. Costs for this tour separated from the Doubtful Sound Excursion runs $65 for adults and $20 for children.
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
The Te Anau Glowworm Caves used to be a legend until Lawson Burrows vowed to find them and did in 1948 after three years of searching. These limestone caves provide you with the most beautiful limestone formations, whirlpools, and a large and very noisy waterfall. The caves are relatively young and are still being carved by the rushing river inside. You will board a small boat and be taken out to a grotto where you will see a magnificent display of glittery glowworms that will delight the eye and astound you. Cost for this tour is $60 for adults and $20 for children.
Stewart Island
Stewart Island is another place worth seeing while in Milford Sound. The island has sandy beaches and is home for multitudes of aquatic life and birds. Here you can take a boat to Paterson Inlet, stopping at a historic whaler’s base, and then go for a ride on a semi-submersible vessel to see what is under the water. Also available is a walking tour. If you wish to go biking, you can rent a bike or scooter. Cost for the walking tour is $45.
