New Zealand South Island (Milford Track and Sound, Abel Tasman, and more)
Mar 23, 2013, 2:30 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 396
Thank you everyone for your kind comments!
We were there in early February. The prime months are usually October-April. You are still allowed to walk the Track in the off-season, the cooking gas is turned off, and even some of the smaller bridges are removed from the track to keep them from getting washed out or damaged in the winter. Additionally, there can be considerable avalanche danger from avalanches that form on the top of the mountains and routinely slide onto the track, so you have to watch avalanche forecasts carefully if attempting the track off season. Personally, I wouldn't even consider the track in the off-season without considerable familiarity with it.
Thanks, your trip report was actually one of the things that really got me thinking about New Zealand as a destination. I'm so glad I read it. I use an Olympus OM-D EM-5 with the 12-42 lens plus occasionally a Rokinon 7.5 fisheye.
You know, we actually never saw a kea. I guess they tend to hang out in gangs, and they were at Dumpling the night before us and they went backwards to Mintaro the night we left. The rangers were definitely one of the best parts of the track. One of the ones we met was still actively pursuing all means of home brewing and "medicinal crops" research.
You know, we actually never saw a kea. I guess they tend to hang out in gangs, and they were at Dumpling the night before us and they went backwards to Mintaro the night we left. The rangers were definitely one of the best parts of the track. One of the ones we met was still actively pursuing all means of home brewing and "medicinal crops" research.
Mar 26, 2013, 2:38 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Helvetia
Programs: AS; BA Silver; UA; HH Gold; Sprüngli Connaisseur
Posts: 2,912
Nice TR.
I did the Milford 20 years ago. I took the guided trip, but it was a good bit cheaper, and a good bit more rustic back in those days.
Nelson Lakes is great. Very few non-kiwis on the trails back there. I managed a quick trip up to Hopeless Hut. I'd have gone further, but the water taxi wasn't to be found.
I did the Milford 20 years ago. I took the guided trip, but it was a good bit cheaper, and a good bit more rustic back in those days.
Nelson Lakes is great. Very few non-kiwis on the trails back there. I managed a quick trip up to Hopeless Hut. I'd have gone further, but the water taxi wasn't to be found.
Mar 26, 2013, 7:09 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NZ
Programs: AA, UA, QF, TK, EY, NZ
Posts: 447
Great report, thanks for sharing! I have just been to Milford Sound over the weekend (no time for any hiking unfortunately but definitely on the list) and I can say I was lucky with the weather compared to the pics from your cruise! Also brought back some Abel Tasman kayaking memories.. That was so much fun. Fantastic pictures too!
About your SYD-AKL flight - you got a meal so soft drinks (in fact any drink) should have been free.. I wouldn't expect the redemption of miles to place you into the 'Seat+Bag' fare class - or else you may not have received a meal.
About your SYD-AKL flight - you got a meal so soft drinks (in fact any drink) should have been free.. I wouldn't expect the redemption of miles to place you into the 'Seat+Bag' fare class - or else you may not have received a meal.
Mar 27, 2013, 8:48 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: MH Enrich, VS FC, HH Gold, PC, SPG Gold, Marco Polo Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,104
Great TR 
I was in Queenstown in November 2012 and it was pretty cold even in november! I also stayed at the Queenstown Hilton and was upgraded to a lake wakatipu suite being a HH Gold member. I enjoyed this hotel very much.
I was in Queenstown in November 2012 and it was pretty cold even in november! I also stayed at the Queenstown Hilton and was upgraded to a lake wakatipu suite being a HH Gold member. I enjoyed this hotel very much.