The Road to Milford Sound | Te Anau to Fiordland | New Zealand

Summary

This video takes viewers on an awe-inspiring journey through the Fjordland National Park, showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand's UNESCO World Heritage site. From the dramatic, glacier-carved valleys to the diverse wildlife, the journey explores the area's unique history and culture. Key moments include a visit to the protected Helicopter Bog Pine reserve, encounters with curious native birds like the Kia, and a cruise through Milford Sound, one of the natural wonders of the world. The video also highlights the challenges of preserving this pristine environment while immersing viewers in its natural beauty and rich Māori heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Milford Road, leading to Milford Sound, is part of the Fjordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.
• 😀 The region is home to unique wildlife, including the flightless takah, New Zealand's endemic wood pigeon (kadoo), and the curious Alpine Kia parrot.
• 😀 The Te Anau bird sanctuary plays a vital role in conserving endangered species like the takah, which was thought to be extinct for 50 years before being rediscovered.
• 😀 Fjordland's geology and history are shaped by glacial activity, creating dramatic landscapes with scarred mountainsides, Alpine lakes, and trickling streams.
• 😀 The Milford Sound was formed by glaciers during the last ice age, and the landscape still reflects the impact of these massive ice flows.
• 😀 The region is one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving 8-10 meters of rain annually, contributing to its lush temperate rainforests.
• 😀 Local wildlife, like the Alpine Kia, is known for its intelligence and problem-solving abilities, but feeding them can lead to dangerous behaviors and malnutrition.
• 😀 Milford Sound's Homer Tunnel, an engineering marvel, took 19 years to complete and is a key passage through the Southern Alps.
• 😀 The Māori people hold the Takū Mountains in reverence, with their mythology explaining their formation as the resting place of the Taka Timu canoe.
• 😀 The story of Milford Sound’s creation in Māori legend involves a demigod who carved the fjord with a magical greenstone axe to shelter from violent storms, leading to the creation of this iconic natural wonder.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Helicopter Bog Pine in the Fiordland National Park?

The Helicopter Bog Pine, also known as Bog Pine or Helicopter Bid Willy, is a rare and endemic shrub in the region, vital for preservation due to its scarcity. This species was greatly affected by European settlement and is now protected in a reserve area near Te Anau.

Why is the Taka Timu canoe important in Māori legend?

The Taka Timu canoe, according to Māori legend, is one of the seven mythical canoes that arrived in New Zealand from the mythical land of Hawaii. It is believed that the Taka Timu canoe was blown inland by a giant wave and turned into stone, representing the mountains in the area.

What endangered bird species is found in the Te Anau area?

The endangered flightless Takahē bird, once thought to be extinct for 50 years, was rediscovered in 1948 in the nearby Murchison Mountains. Conservation efforts have helped increase its population.

What is the significance of the Southern Alps in the landscape of Fiordland?

The Southern Alps were formed by the collision of the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates. These mountains are among the fastest-growing in the world and play a crucial role in shaping the dramatic landscape of Fiordland National Park.

Why is Milford Sound considered one of the 'natural wonders of the world'?

Milford Sound is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, including dramatic fjords, towering cliffs, waterfalls, and rich wildlife. It was famously called the Eighth Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling.

How did glaciers shape the valleys in Fiordland National Park?

The valleys in Fiordland were sculpted by massive glaciers during the last ice age. As glaciers moved, they carved deep U-shaped valleys, which are now marked by steep mountainsides, alpine lakes, and rivers.

What makes the Fiordland National Park one of the wettest places on Earth?

Fiordland receives 8 to 10 meters of rain annually due to its location on the 45th parallel, where prevailing weather systems from the ocean build up and release moisture when they hit the Southern Alps.

What is the cultural importance of the Tūtoko Mountain?

Tūtoko Mountain, located in Fiordland, is considered a sacred site by the Māori. Its name refers to a chief’s cloak, symbolizing protection. It is the highest mountain in Fiordland and holds cultural significance in Māori mythology.

What role do Kia parrots play in the ecosystems of Fiordland?

The Kia, an Alpine parrot endemic to New Zealand, plays a unique role in Fiordland's ecosystems. Known for their intelligence and curiosity, they are frequently seen interacting with humans and are important indicators of the region's biodiversity.

What does the Māori legend surrounding Milford Sound tell us about the creation of the fjord?

According to Māori legend, Milford Sound was created by the demigod Tūnui, who used a greenstone axe to carve the fjord into the mountains, creating the fjord as a shelter from violent storms. Over time, a goddess of death named Hine-nui-te-pō recognized the beauty of the area and made it her home, leaving behind the Sandfly as a guardian to protect the area from human destruction.