A 53.5km track in Southland's Fiordland National Park, the Milford Track is often regarded as one of the great walks and even has the title of "The Finest Walk In The World" to live up to, so it was no surprise that as we boarded the bus from Te Anau to our ferry, which would mark the start of our four-day hike, we were itching with anticipation.
The track must be booked, often weeks in advance, with accommodation along the way limited to modest but well-maintained Department of Conservation huts. Each day a myriad of jaw-dropping terrain can be taken in, from rainforest, to wetlands, to sheer kilometer-high rock faces carved by glaciers that frame the alpine pass. The sort of stunning scenery that brings millions of international visitors to this wonderful country each year.
Louisa and I travelled with my friend David, over from the UK and equally keen to get good use out of the walking boots which had so far done a good job of taking up space in his suitcase (and caused him no end of trouble at customs who were unimpressed by the level of UK soil that accompanied them!). The weather report was mixed, but nothing to alarm us; sunshine and showers. Fjordland being the wettest part of the country, some rain should be expected.
As we disembarked the ferry the sun was shining and after a brief walk we were greeted with our first stunning view as the track crossed the Clinton River on a large swing bridge. The water was crystal clear, like no river I have ever seen, just like glass, as brown trout swum nonchalantly below, moving in and out of the faster water to take food as it passed by on nature's conveyor belt. There was an air of both awe and disbelief in what we were experiencing, that brought out laughter and anticipation of what were about to see as the days progressed.