Milford Sound: Difference between revisions
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the [[Tasman Sea]] at Dale Point (also named after a location close to Milford Haven in Wales)—the mouth of the fiord—and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise {{convert|1200|m|ft}} or more on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at {{convert|1517|m|ft}}, said to resemble an [[elephant]]'s head,<ref>[http://www.mitrepeak.com/cruise-highlights/the-elephant/ The Elephant] (from the mitrepeak.com cruise website)</ref> and The Lion, {{convert|1302|m|ft}}, in the shape of a crouching [[lion]].<ref>[http://www.mitrepeak.com/cruise-highlights/lion-mountain/ Lion Mountain] (from the mitrepeak.com cruise website)</ref> |
Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the [[Tasman Sea]] at Dale Point (also named after a location close to Milford Haven in Wales)—the mouth of the fiord—and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise {{convert|1200|m|ft}} or more on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at {{convert|1517|m|ft}}, said to resemble an [[elephant]]'s head,<ref>[http://www.mitrepeak.com/cruise-highlights/the-elephant/ The Elephant] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216175747/http://www.mitrepeak.com/cruise-highlights/the-elephant |date=16 February 2007 }} (from the mitrepeak.com cruise website)</ref> and The Lion, {{convert|1302|m|ft}}, in the shape of a crouching [[lion]].<ref>[http://www.mitrepeak.com/cruise-highlights/lion-mountain/ Lion Mountain] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214141609/http://www.mitrepeak.com/cruise-highlights/lion-mountain |date=14 February 2007 }} (from the mitrepeak.com cruise website)</ref> |
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Milford Sound sports two permanent waterfalls, [[Lady Bowen Falls]] and Stirling Falls.<ref>[http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/milford-sound/1 Milford Sound], ''Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand'', edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966, updated 22 April 09</ref> After heavy rain temporary waterfalls can be seen running down the steep sided rock faces that line the fiord. They are fed by rain water drenched moss and will last a few days at most once the rain stops.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} |
Milford Sound sports two permanent waterfalls, [[Lady Bowen Falls]] and Stirling Falls.<ref>[http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/milford-sound/1 Milford Sound], ''Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand'', edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966, updated 22 April 09</ref> After heavy rain temporary waterfalls can be seen running down the steep sided rock faces that line the fiord. They are fed by rain water drenched moss and will last a few days at most once the rain stops.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} |
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{{Wikivoyage|Milford Sound}} |
{{Wikivoyage|Milford Sound}} |
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{{Commons category|Milford Sound}} |
{{Commons category|Milford Sound}} |
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* [http://www.fiordland.org.nz/Explore-Fiordland/Places-to-visit/Milford-Sound.asp Milford Sound—Destination Fiordland] (regional tourism organisation) |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070227193442/http://www.fiordland.org.nz/Explore-Fiordland/Places-to-visit/Milford-Sound.asp Milford Sound—Destination Fiordland] (regional tourism organisation) |
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* [http://www.linz.govt.nz/topography/topo-maps/map-chooser/singleview.php?xPos=1701&yPos=18809&scale=2&extent=7-CA08] Land Information NZ Site - for downloading the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi topographic map |
* [http://www.linz.govt.nz/topography/topo-maps/map-chooser/singleview.php?xPos=1701&yPos=18809&scale=2&extent=7-CA08] Land Information NZ Site - for downloading the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi topographic map |
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Revision as of 03:41, 31 January 2018
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is a
Etymology
Milford Sound is named after
Geography
Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea at Dale Point (also named after a location close to Milford Haven in Wales)—the mouth of the fiord—and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 1,517 metres (4,977 ft), said to resemble an elephant's head,[6] and The Lion, 1,302 metres (4,272 ft), in the shape of a crouching lion.[7]
Milford Sound sports two permanent waterfalls,
Climate
With a mean annual rainfall of 6,412 mm (252 in) each year, a high level even for the
Accumulated rainwater can, at times, cause portions of the rain forest to lose their grip on the sheer cliff faces, resulting in tree avalanches into the sound. The regrowth of the rain forest after these avalanches can be seen in several locations along the sound.
Climate data for Milford Sound Airport (1934−2015, Rainfall 1929−2015) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 28.3 (82.9) |
28.2 (82.8) |
27.4 (81.3) |
23.7 (74.7) |
20.7 (69.3) |
17.7 (63.9) |
16.9 (62.4) |
18.9 (66.0) |
20.8 (69.4) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.9 (78.6) |
27.7 (81.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 18.7 (65.7) |
19.0 (66.2) |
17.7 (63.9) |
15.5 (59.9) |
12.4 (54.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
9.3 (48.7) |
11.2 (52.2) |
12.9 (55.2) |
14.3 (57.7) |
15.7 (60.3) |
17.5 (63.5) |
14.5 (58.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 14.5 (58.1) |
14.7 (58.5) |
13.5 (56.3) |
11.2 (52.2) |
8.4 (47.1) |
5.8 (42.4) |
5.4 (41.7) |
6.8 (44.2) |
8.5 (47.3) |
10.1 (50.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
13.5 (56.3) |
10.4 (50.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.3 (50.5) |
10.4 (50.7) |
9.2 (48.6) |
6.9 (44.4) |
4.4 (39.9) |
2.1 (35.8) |
1.5 (34.7) |
2.4 (36.3) |
4.1 (39.4) |
5.9 (42.6) |
7.5 (45.5) |
9.5 (49.1) |
6.2 (43.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | 3.5 (38.3) |
2.8 (37.0) |
0.5 (32.9) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
−3 (27) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−1 (30) |
0.2 (32.4) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 632.8 (24.91) |
499.6 (19.67) |
601.1 (23.67) |
548.1 (21.58) |
566.4 (22.30) |
424.1 (16.70) |
393.9 (15.51) |
428.7 (16.88) |
540.1 (21.26) |
631.3 (24.85) |
566.6 (22.31) |
595.0 (23.43) |
6,412.2 (252.45) |
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 15.7 | 13.1 | 14.7 | 14.7 | 15.5 | 14.0 | 13.8 | 15.3 | 16.5 | 18.0 | 16.2 | 16.5 | 183.9 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 9am)
|
87.5 | 90.1 | 91.3 | 91.9 | 91.6 | 91.6 | 91.0 | 90.7 | 90.2 | 88.2 | 85.5 | 85.3 | 89.6 |
Source: CliFlo[10] |
Wildlife
History
Milford Sound was initially overlooked by European explorers, because its narrow entry did not appear to lead into such large interior bays. Sailing ship captains such as James Cook, who bypassed Milford Sound on his journeys for just this reason, also feared venturing too close to the steep mountainsides, afraid that wind conditions would prevent escape.
The fiord was a playground[citation needed] for local Maori who had acquired a large amount of local marine knowledge including tidal patterns and fish feeding patterns over generations prior to European arrival. The fiord remained undiscovered by Europeans until Captain
While
As of the 2006 census, just 120 people lived in Milford Sound,[19] most of them working in tourism or conservation.
Tourism
Overview
Milford Sound attracts between 550,000 and 1 million visitors per year.[19][20] This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots even with its remote location and long journey times from the nearest population centres.[3] Many tourists take one of the boat tours which usually last one to two hours. They are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre.
The Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory is located in Harrisons Cove on the north side of the fiord. Situated within the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, the underwater observatory allows visitors to view the fiord's unique marine environment at a depth of 10 metres. Due to a natural phenomenon called 'deep water emergence,' deep-water animals such as black coral can be viewed in the shallow waters surrounding the observatory.[21] A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained brown by tannins from the surrounding forest, along with cold water temperatures allow the black corals to grow close to the surface throughout Milford Sound and Fiordland.[22]
On rainy and stormy days tourists can admire the play of the wind with the numerous waterfalls in Milford Sound. When meeting the cliff face the powerful wind often goes upward and waterfalls with a vertical drop get caught by wind, causing the water to go upwards.
Milford Sound is also a scenic cruise destination for
Transport
By road, Milford Sound is 307 km from
The long distance to the sound means that tourist operators from Queenstown all depart very early in the day, arriving back only late in the evening. This ensures that most tourists visit Milford Sound within a few hours around midday, leading to some congestion on the roads and at the tourist facilities during the main season. The peak-time demand is also the reason for the large number of tour boats active in the sound at much the same time.[20]
Over the years, various options of shortening the distance to Milford Sound from Queenstown have been mooted, including a gondola route, a new tunnel from Queenstown, or a monorail from near
There are a variety of plane charter companies that fly to Milford Sound. Most of the companies fly out of Queenstown International Airport. These companies include: Glenorchy Air, Air Milford, Air Wakatipu, Air Fiordland and Milford Sound Scenic Flights.
Diesel spill
On 8 February 2004 a spill of 13,000 litres of diesel fuel was discovered, resulting in a 2-kilometre spill which closed the fiord for two days while intensive cleanup activities were completed. Apparently a hose was used to displace the fuel from the tanks of one of the tour vessels, and various government officials claimed it appeared to be an act of
See also
- Doubtful Sound
- Dusky Sound
- Fiordland
- Milford Sound Airport
- Transport in Milford Sound
References
- ^ Tour Guide: Milford Sound, New Zealand National Geographic Intelligent Travel Blog, 2 June 2008
- ^ TripAdvisor 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Award Downloadable PDF file (email address required)
- ^ a b "Real Journeys rapt with Kiwi Must-Do's", Scoop, 13 February 2007.
- ^ "Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand" Archived 19 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine. From the National Geographic Photo Galleries. Accessed 20 October 2007.
- ^ The Flight of Maui (from the 'artfind.co.nz' website. Accessed 18 April 2008.)
- ^ The Elephant Archived 16 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine (from the mitrepeak.com cruise website)
- ^ Lion Mountain Archived 14 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine (from the mitrepeak.com cruise website)
- ^ Milford Sound, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966, updated 22 April 09
- ^ "New Zealand National Climate Summary–The year 2004" (PDF). National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
- ^ "CliFlo - National Climate Database". NIWA. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown-lakes/whale-watchers-dream
- ^ http://www.fmg.org.nz/content/humpback-whale-migration-0
- ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/8514824/Southern-right-whale-sightings-on-the-rise
- ^ BirdLife International. (2012). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Milford Sound. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 2012-02-18.
- ^ "Stirling Falls, Southland – NZ Topo Map". NZ Topo Map. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ Terry Hearn. Welsh - Milford Sound, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Updated 4 March 2009. Accessed 2010-02-03.
- ^ "Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998". Retrieved 28 March 2016.
- ^ Fiordland (from Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Accessed 2008-02-06.)
- ^ a b Cook, Marjorie (20 February 2010). "Highway through heritage". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- ^ IPENZ, May/June 2007
- ^ Erika Delemarre, Milford Discovery Centre nature guide, tour presentation material 2014-2015.
- ^ Paddy Ryan. "Fiords - Underwater rock walls and basins", Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Updated 21 September 2007. Accessed 18 April 2008.
- ^ "Travel distance & driving times calculator". Aim Solutions. Retrieved 3 November 2007.
- ^ "Police probe Milford diesel spill 'terrorism'", New Zealand Herald, 10 February 2004
External links
- Milford Sound—Destination Fiordland (regional tourism organisation)
- [1] Land Information NZ Site - for downloading the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi topographic map