which ever way we spell the name they hold a fascination of beauty.
Our first view of the fiords not long after sunrise – taken from our balcony.
We had passed through the Foveaux Strait, which separates Stewart Is. from the South Island of New Zealand.
The southern seaport of the South Is. is a town called Bluff, which, when I was at sea I visited in the 1960’s.
It is known for the wind. The ship in which I sailed was unable to unload cargo because the wind was so strong that it was considered too dangerous to work the derricks. It was four days before the wind eased enough for us to unload. This was before containerisation.
If you left Bluff, it did not matter which way you went, east or west, you were making your way back to London.
The top map gives you an idea of the overall area and I have blown up the Dusky Sound area and marked the track of our cruise.
and of course, we had dolphin visitors who liked to play in our small bow wave.
The main island on our port side is Resolution Island, which was named after Captain Cook’s vessel when he visited the area on his second voyage in March 1773.
Exit gap ahead.
After a couple of hours sailing through Dusky Sound and Breaksea Sound we entered the Tasman Sea and sailed north to Doubtful Sound.
The Tasman Sea was kind to us as we sailed north to Doubtful Sound.
We were not the only vessel interested in Doubtful Sound.
it didn’t matter where you looked there was a photo opportunity.
We exited Doubtful Sound via Thompson Sound and the island on our port side as we left the area was Secretary Island, which is uninhabited and is one of the finest conservation islands in New Zealand. All introduced animals have been removed making it a pest free island and only the native animals & plants have been allowed free range.
Secretary Island.
Our final Fiord was Milford Sound – fortunately we had visited Milford Sound in a previous cruise, when I managed to take some photographs.
Our arrival at the entrance to the Sound was nearly 5.00 pm which clashed with getting ready for dinner and we left Milford Sound around 6.30 pm, which was during during dinner – talk about timetables clashing!
Milford Sound February 2017 –
rolling mist and waterfalls wherever one looked.
The 2023 visit was a beautiful day and dry, but I did not see any waterfalls or rolling mist in any of the Sounds.
I f you ever have the chance to visit Milford Sound jump at the chance – a Sound that I found more interesting than Doubtful Sound, but Dusky Sound has a charm that is different to Milford Sound. If you do go make sure you book a late evening meal.
Once in the Tasman Sea again it was full ahead for Sydney and the end of the cruise.
silverfox175 
We went up into Milford Sound on our Regent Voyager cruise – the ship had to wait our turn to enter the sound, we entered in the morning , sunshine not a cloud in the sky – guess we really lucky weather wise. It was an amazing experience
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Morning Mike – this last trip the weather was very kind, but for drama I preferred the 2017 cruise (Feb not Jan) very dramatic in Milford Sound with waterfalls and a small boat with tourists who had been given a glass of whisky. The idea being to add a drop of water from a waterfall without loosing the whisky! I doubt anyone managed to complete the task as the waterfall was powerful and caused a great deal of spray – all good fun :-o)
Just about to leave for a 9 day wine cruise – cheers Woody
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