Fur Seals off Doubtful Sound

An early start and on to a small coach that drove us to take the first boat across lake Manapouri on our way to Doubtful Sound. A quick stop at an information centre and then another coach ride up and around mountains with the sides of the tracks fringed in snow. A little strange as it was reasonably hot and tree ferns were growing by the roadside.

First View of Doubtful Sound from the top of the pass

We were eventually dropped off opposite a beautiful waterfall while our guide parked up and went to fetch the launch that was to take us down the Sound.

Waterfall on the sound

We passed huge mountain peaks as we cruised along, occasionally sighting a waterfall. Our guide told us that they were not in full spate as it hadn't rained much since yesterday but that yesterday's tour had not been able to see the mountain tops as they had been shrowded in mist! He said that if we made good time he might be able to take us out of the mouth of the sound to see if we could catch a glimpse of the fur seals.

Hello chaps - we've got visitors

We crossed our fingers and sure enough luck was on our side. Rick got some really wonderful shots of them as they lay on the rocks and the younger ones being inquisitive lomped over towards the boat to investigate. It really made our trip and the sand fly bites that we collected on our way back seemed a small price to pay!!!

Another early start the following day saw us on our way through Queenstown and on to the Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers. The drive involved crossing the Alps - steep uphill and downhill sections with extremely sharp bends involving speeds or lack of them of around 25 Km.

It's getting darker but beautiful - Fox

We arrived at Fox at twilight and pulled off the road and on to the approach road leading to the base car park. Only one other vehicle in the park and a solitary Kea (South Island Mountain Parrot) who seemed unruffled by our invasion in fact he obviously expected a few tit bits - even though signs in the car park ask visitors not to feed them. We started out and I did wonder if I should have suggested we take a torch. Ol and Ang strode on ahead and met us on the way back from approaching the foot of the glacier as by this time it was getting rather dark.

Fox Glacier, almost dark but the camera can lie

We still managed to get an idea of the magnificence of it. So strange to think of a huge block of ice, which had been carving its way through the mountains for centuries still being there. We drove on to Franz Joseph and into our next Top 10 Campsite for the night.

We had planned to travel back via Arthur's Pass to Christchurch the following day but took time out before leaving Franz Joseph to see the Glacier there.

Franz Joseph Glacier

Again a majestic sight. We couldn't approach really near due to weather conditions on the lookout path but still got an amazing view.

Again wonderful scenery as we drove along with a lunch time stop in a mountain pass car park with another Kea. This one was very adventurous and proceeded to climb all over the car parked next to us. It perched on the wing mirror and then slid down the back windscreen.

Whose a pretty boy, then?

When it realised no-one was going to provide it with lunch it took off with a great squawk.

Our last night with Ol and Ang in Christchurch before saying goodbye at their camper van depot. They flew off to Sydney and we drove on up the coast to Picton. The last leg of the journey took us on a coastal road and we spotted more seals on the shore rocks and stopped to take a closer look.

written by

rickandsuejohnson on August 7, 2007 from Christchurch, New Zealand

from the travel blog: From the Shire to Middle Earth and back

Send a Compliment

comment on this...