Walter Peak -> Te Anau -> Milford Sound & Kepler Track

From Queenstown I took a ferry to Walter Peak, to the opposite side of Lake Wakatipu. This time the ferry was not just a ferry - it was a 102-year-old coal powered steam ship, TSS Earnslaw. I can highly recommend this journey, especially if you're an engineer, since the passangers are allowed to enter the engine room and see how everything really works.

In Walter Peak I met two Americans and one Aussie that were heading to Mavora Lakes like I was planning to do. So we cycled and camped together and shared some experiences etc. The way from Walter Peak to Mavora Lakes offered some stunning views - once again.

Cycling towards Mavora Lakes with Henry, Rob and Ben

Northern Mavora Lake

*****

Milford Sound & Key Summit

Milford Sound is 120km to north from Te Anau, where I was staying in a hostel. There we met once again with our exchange group, and so I joined Nicoline's and JC's car to visit the famous Milford Sound. The drive itself was already a great experience with all the unbelieable views. In Milford Sound we went for a scenic cruise which took us around the Sound, or actually Fiord, to see the landscapes even better.

Approaching Milford Sound, a view from the road

After Milford Sound we wid a 2-hour hike to Key Summit with Nicoline and JC to see just a bit more some interesting stuff.

A lake in Key Summit, in about 1000 meters altitude

*****

Kepler Track: To the summit and back

The next day I did a one day hike to the summit of Kepler Track. Mount Luxmore's summit is slighty above1500 meters altitude, and it was a 8 hour return trip, inlucing walking of almost 40km. Once again it was not a problem to fall asleep after such a day.

At the summit it was terribly windy, the Ranger said that wind speed was around 30 m/s!