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MILFORD SOUND

July 30, 2016 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

New Zealand

Milford Sound is an immense waterway that dominates the southern end of New Zealand’s South Island.  Technically a fjord, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in New Zealand (it was named the world’s top travel destination by Tripadvisor in 2008).  Enclosed on almost everyside by steep mountains covered in lush greenery and waterfalls, Milford Sound is visited by over half a million visitors every year.

Maori tribes lived in the area around Milford Sound for centuries before the Europeans showed up.  Initially overlooked by western explorers (Captain Cook amazingly missed it on his journeys), it wasn’t until 1812 that an expedition led by John Grono came upon it.  After visiting the sound, Rudyard Kipling proclaimed it be the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Milford Sound is a ten mile long fjord that extends off the Tasman Sea.  It is almost completely enclosed by mountain formations, most very steep.  Thanks to the large amounts of precipitation the mountains are covered with forest, and a number of streams feed dozens of waterfalls (two of which flow year-round).  An oil spill in 2004 briefly disrupted the bay, but clanup was quick and the ecosystem was fortunately not significantly impacted.

Milford Sound is a nature-lovers and boater’s paradise.  Thanks to its late discovery and relative inability to support large settlements, Milford Sound is incredibly pristine.  Local residents are largely only there to support the tourism industry.  Hiking, boating and wildlife spotting are all very popular pastimes.  Web: www.fjordland.org.nz (official website).

Filed Under: Bays/Fjords Tagged With: Australia/Pacific

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

Contact Us

Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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