Perhaps the most majestic, beautiful and, perhaps, frightening with its grandeur part of New Zealand, united in the Fiordland National Park, which occupies almost the entire south-west of the country. This country of fjords was created by glaciers about a hundred thousand years ago, turning it into an amazing composition consisting of mighty waterfalls, ancient untouched forests that creep right up to dark waters, as well as silent granite peaks, among which numerous picturesque glacial lakes lie. This area today looks almost exactly the same today as it did thousands of years ago. Of course, civilization has not bypassed it, and there are towns and villages here. For example, this is the town of Te Anau, from which tourists begin their journey deep into this wonderful area. But the real jewels in the crown of Fiordland are three fjords - Milford Sound, Dusky Sound and Doubtful Sound, each of which is stunning in its picturesque.
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| Fiordland |
The main lakes of Fiordland are Waikatipu, Te Anau, Wanaka, Ohau or Rakaia, the first of which is the longest in the country. All these lakes are intricately sandwiched between high cliffs and mountains, which forms truly fabulous landscapes. Each penetration into the depths of this region, rugged by mountains, rocks and valleys, risks turning into a hit in a place where no human foot has yet set foot. By the way, there have already been scientific discoveries in Fiordland. So, in 1948, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, a takahe bird was found, which had previously been considered extinct. Now in the town of Te Anau you can find a monument to this feathered creature. The whole fjordland is one big mystery that you can't help touching,
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| Fiordland |
Milford Sound is the most stunning part of New Zealand's largest national park, Fiordland, located in the southwest of the South Island and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This place strikes the imagination with its grandeur and at the same time indescribable beauty. Not surprisingly, the Milford Sound area has become a real magnet for tourists, of which about half a million arrive here every year. First of all, this applies to January and February - the summer months in New Zealand. Milford Sound can be reached in many ways and there are a large number of different tours. First of all, these are cruises that can bring a truly unforgettable experience, although the conditions in them are not as close to nature as during hiking in the mountains of the Fiordland. Nonetheless, during cruises, you can fully enjoy the views of mighty rocks protruding from the dark water and trees decorated with greenery, sometimes descending directly to the water. Particularly impressive is Maitr Peak, which rises to 1692 meters. This whole natural cocktail is complemented by flocks of dolphins, often “chasing” cruise yachts, as well as constant “guests” of this coast - heavy rains.
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| Fiordland |
However, most tourists are not at all afraid of this, and many of them prefer hiking in the mountains of the Fiordland to cruises. Roads and trails leading to Milford Sound begin in the city of Te Anau, a small town on the shores of the lake of the same name, the second largest in the whole country. From here to Milford Sound - about 120 kilometers. True, there is nothing particularly remarkable in Te Anau itself, which, of course, cannot be said about the natural beauties of this region - the Alps and, again, Lake Te Anau.