An experience in Middle Earth
by Joanne Lane Peter Jackson wasn`t far wrong when he first envisaged New Zealand as Middle Earth. You don`t need too much imaginative scope to see how Fiordland National Park could become a film location. And he wasn`t the only one. Rudyard Kipling described it as the "eighth wonder of the world". I`m no film director or great author but I can think of plenty of superlatives. There`s truly something mystical, ancient and magical about this area. It has a raw breathtaking beauty, remoteness and peace. Fiordland National Park stretches over 124 miles and is the biggest and most spectacular national park in New Zealand. Its deep icy blue waterways, coastline and lakes were carved out by glaciers millions of years ago and left a landscape internationally acclaimed and World Heritage listed, and the location for one of the most popular movies of the time. As a Tolkien and Jackson fan it`s impossible to travel here without looking out for some of the film locations. And so an entire boat journey on the Milford Sound was spent wondering which angle was used on the peaks how they filmed the Waiau River, which flows between Lake Te Anau and Lake Manaopouri which became the River Anduin for part of the Fellowship`s journey and what forest may have been used for Fangorn. In any case it`s not hard to imagine the Fellowship travelling along the glassine surface of the water in their elven boats. Somehow once you`ve been here it all just seems to fit. The Sound today has its fair share of boaters, although they are not of the elven variety. There are many opportunities to explore including rowing boats, motor boats, kayaks and jet-skis. It really looks like the best way to explore although once the wind and rain picks up it doesn`t appear so attractive to be out in the elements. This is one of the wettest places in the world with 5 to 9 metres of annual rainfall. The water cascades in thundering waterfalls from the cliffs. But after sheltering below decks for awhile we realise wet or fine it`s still magical. And the boat doesn`t stop to wait for the rain to ease. Besides the famed Stirling Falls and Fairy Falls just become that much more dramatic. Even Mitre Peak swathed in misty rain clouds looks enigmatic, perhaps even more so. At 1682 metres it is one of the highest in the world to rise directly from the ocean floor. It`s shape resembles that of a Bishop`s headdress or mitre, and hence the name. It also causes a serious amount of neck stiffness as you crane upwards to see the top of the peak. Part of Fiordland`s beauty is that it is largely uninhabited, except by dolphins, seals and the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin. And it becomes apparent once we are due to leave for the day that Milford Sound will revert back to its natural state once we`ve all left - windy, isolated, mystical - a real Middle Earth. OTHER THINGS TO DO
The small town of Te Anau is the best known gateway to the park. It is the nearest town to Milford and Doubtful Sounds and many of the great walks in the area including the Milford Track and the Routeburn Walk. Both walks require several days and reasonable fitness. Basic huts provide accommodation along the tracks but you do need all your own equipment. MOVIE LOCATIONS
If you are a Lord of the Rings buff you may want to know more about the locations there are to see. Consider "The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook" by Ian Brodie or the official film site www.lordoftherings.net GETTING THERE AND AWAY
Internal flights from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington go to Queenstown with Air New Zealand daily www.airnewzealand.co.nz. The only direct international connection with Queenstown is Sydney. There are combination bus and boat cruises from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Red Boats is one of the operators www.redboats.co.nz but see the information desk in Queenstown to book other options on arrival, www.queenstown-nz.co.nz. Many hotels and hostels will have a travel desk to help you. The Argonath, The Pillars of the King
River Anduin
Long have I desired to look upon the Kings of old, my kin
Tol Brandir
Fellowship are headed to Amon Hen on the shores of Nen Hithoel
Just before they come into that lake a widening of the River before it tumbles over Rauros Falls they pass the ancient Northern border of the Kingdom of Gondor, marked by two giant statues of men. Captain Cook first discovered it in 1770.
Rain nourishes rich beech forest If you`ve seen Lord of the Rings you will probably spend a lot of your time looking out for the "Kings of Old" when you visit Milford Sound.
Windy, breath takingly beautiful and Makes you want to jump in a canoe or kayak and explore the rivers and lakes in the area.
It really is, it really is.
Mystical misty mountains, plunging rivers, the majestic peaks of Fiordland National Park. scenic locations in abundance.
There was only one thing wrong with my visit to Fiordland. I didn`t have an elven boat to explore this Middle Earth. Deepest part of the Fiord is 400 metres BOOK HERE |
