Day 7: Milford Sound

October 20:

Today we took a break from driving and booked a private tour/driver to Milford Sound. 

We started by driving past Lake Te Anau.

As we continued down Milford Road, we stopped at the Te Anau Downs scenic lookout

and took a brief look at Eglinton Valley, 

and walked along Mirror Lakes.

We had a brief stop at Eglinton Valley Camp for tea and delicious apricot muffins.

At Monkey Creek, a cheeky kea 

"attacked" the car.

We then went through the Homer Tunnel

Once in Milford Sound, we boarded Cruise Milford's boat for a 2-hour cruise. 

The cruise started near Lady Bowen Falls.

We had a great view of Mitre Peak.

We saw two penguins on the shore

and a couple of fur seals.

We had beautiful views of the sound

and got close enough to Stirling Falls to feel the mist.

After the cruise ended, we enjoyed the Milford Road scenery from the opposite direction.

We stopped at the Tutoko River Bridge

and admired how slear the water was.

The afternoon lighting made it easier to see all the waterfalls 

at Hundred Falls. It didn't look nearly as dramatic in the early morning light.

Our final stop was at Falls Creek Falls

and then we could sit back and relax as we were driven back to our motel.