|
fiordland
Discover a world untouched by man - a true
wilderness where deep ocean meets towering peaks.
Fiordland National Park is the largest park in New Zealand and
just the wildest, wettest and most isolated part of the country.
Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds all have commercial sea
kayaking expedition-style trips. The isolation and remoteness of
these waterways gives you the feeling that you’re the first
human to set foot here. The playful dolphins, seals and penguins
you encounter are very inquisitive. Combination launch cruises
and kayak trips can be arranged at the operators’ bases in
Te Anau and Milford.
You will be enthralled by these splendid, sublime landscapes -
granite peaks, hanging valleys and cascading waterfalls. This
land of immense grandeur and natural dignity is ruled by the
weather. Seven metres of annual rainfall creates a curtain-wall
of water on the steep mountain slopes. Restless rivers struggle
on through boulder beds to reach the relative calm of the ocean.
Nature's lavish beauty is nowhere better displayed than in the
Hollyford River. It rises in a hanging valley above the Homer
Tunnel and flows out to Martin’s Bay via Lake McKerrow. The
most enjoyable kayaking section is from Gunn’s Camp to
Moraine Creek Bridge. The first stage is easy shingle rapids but
boulders appear amongst Grade 3 rapids further down stream. One
kilometre above the creek there is a take out onto the road. From
the Moraine creek footbridge part of the ‘Dead Horse
Rapid’ can be viewed. Precise moves are required to
negotiate this Grade 4 monster. The take out is at the bottom of
the Humboldt Creek rapids.
The Wairaurahiri River runs parallel to the Hump Ridge Range from
Lake Hauroko to Foveaux Strait. It offers continuous Grade 2
rapids, which are relatively easy to run provided you avoid the
fallen trees. This trip is often taken in conjunction with a
following jet boat to return paddlers to Lake Hauroko.
The Tutoko and Cleddau Rivers have short sections of Grade 2 - 3
water up the valley from the Milford Sound hostel. The Tutoko can
be entered at the main road bridge and run down to the Cleddau
junction. From here short, swift rapids lead to the hostel.
Don’t miss the phenomenal primal landscapes and seascapes of
Fiordland - it’s like nothing else on earth.
|
