Sea Days between New Zealand and Tasmania

 February 10, 2023 

Scenic Sailing between New Zealand and Tasmania, Australia 

4 days at sea between these 2 countries. 

These were very typical sea days with 2 exceptions. One being Wednesday, February 8^th. We were treated to “Scenic Sailing”. We’ve only had a couple of instances thus far but should have more coming up. Most sea days are from point A to point B. And we have had several stretches where we were basically in the middle of nowhere and all you see for days is ocean. We are usually quite aways offshore even when sailing parallel to land. 

Wednesday was different. We sailed south along the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The plan was to sail into Milford Sound in the late morning and then continue south to also sail into Doubtful Sound in the afternoon before heading for Australia. 

Both of these bodies of water are actually Fiords and are a part of Fiordland National Park New Zealand. See the following explanation that I found and am using. Fiord (Fjord) vs Sound. Both refer to valleys flooded by the sea. The difference is not if one is a dead end, but rather how the valleys were formed. Fiords (fjords) are valleys created by glacial erosion, whereas sounds are drowned river valleys. It is doubtful, all pun intended (i.e., Doubtful Sound) that the early English explorers knew if the valley was created by a river or a glacier, so this distinction was likely a later refinement made by modern geographers. 

As we approached Milford Sound the seas were pretty rough. Watching the Pilot boat approach, it was really getting knocked around. Shortly after, the captain came on the PA system and said we would not be able to get into Milford Sound, but that we would continue sailing south and hopefully be able to see Doubtful Sound. Then we would come back north and try for Milford Sound in the late afternoon. 

We entered Doubtful Sound from the northern entrance and sailed at a very tranquil pace through the sound and out the southern end. Amazing, dramatic, serene, so many words and none do justice. We sailed in the Sound for a couple of hours before going back out into the Tasman Sea and heading north. Thank you Captain Lars.

 

 

It took a few hours to get back up to Milford Sound but we were successful in entering Milford Sound. Where there are several arms to Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound is a single arm that zig zags through the towering mountains. A little rain along the way but mixed with sun breaks as well. Gorgeous waterfalls that you can see starting way up the mountain and working their way down the face. You have a feeling of being in the Jurassic period. 

What an amazing day!

The amazing West coast of New Zealand's South Island.

 

We always enjoy watching the maneuvers of the Pilot Boats as they drop off and pick up the Pilots that assist us through tricky waters.

And the always exceptional wait staff in the World Cafe

The other exception to these sea days is that Thursday was our anniversary. We have tolerated each other for 49 years. We had invited 4 couples to join us for dinner in The Restaurant that evening. It was a very nice gathering. We started with a bottle of champagne and I think everyone enjoyed their meals.