Milford Sound, New Zealand – Natural Beauty and Inspiration

In my twenties, I flew a light four passenger aircraft on a scenic flight above Sicily, but as it was such a bad experience, I promised I would never set foot on a small plane again. I kept that promise for forty years. However, this all changed on March 8, 2019; on that day, I broke my promise and am absolutely delighted to have done so!

While visiting New Zealand and planning a trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound, I had planned to travel by land to Milford Sound, enjoy the natural beauty on the way, driving through lush Fiordland National Park, before sailing through Milford Sound on a catamaran. Although I knew flying back to Queenstown was an option to enjoy the breathtaking views from above, I did not even want to consider that option at first. As I pondered on whether I would consider hanging up my past fears and possibly considering the light aircraft flight back from Milford Sound to Queenstown, I started pondering the option.

In the days preceding the flight, I imagined myself up in air and visualized the whole experience. I told myself there was absolutely no way I could live the fear of those earlier years, but that I was ready to do my best to overcome my fears of the past. I started practicing self help strategies in preparation to the flight as focused breathing and meditation. After much anticipation, the day arrived!

In Queenstown, I boarded a coach traveling by land to Fiordland National Park with opportunities to stop and walk in its forest and be embraced by that lush natural beauty.  I enjoyed plush vegetation, large ferns I had come to love, waterfalls and reflecting water bodies to name a few.

Next, I boarded the catamaran that took me through Milford Sound, with its mountains plunging into the outlet, sailing through the narrow outlet and reaching the Tasman Sea. On the way back, the view of the narrow outlet from the opposite angle and a close encounter with the largest waterfall and its refreshing sprays!

Stirling Falls

At last, stepping off the catamaran, I met the pilot and the fellow passengers and walked to the airfield to board the Cessna A8 that would fly me back to Queeenstown. After boarding the light plane and taking off, the much-awaited experience began. Words can hardly explain the emotion felt in embracing an experience I had avoided and feared for most of my life! But the natural beauty that I was admiring enveloped me and I was embraced by the excitement that overcame me as I admired those enchanting views from above. I focused on my breathing and enjoyed. The sun was shining brightly and the mountains diving vertically into the waterway in the narrow outlet with its waters glistening, giving a magical touch to the picture. As we traveled, the mountains seen from above were majestic with the lush vegetation hanging onto them tightly. The flight lasted approximately thirty-five minutes – thirty-five minutes of pure enjoyment. Stepping off the plane I told myself perhaps this would be the first of a series of new experiences for me.

Reflecting upon this experience I know what allowed me to reach this point. By traveling solo in lands so distant from any land I have lived in or known, little by little I stretched myself beyond my comfort zone. Stretching beyond the comfort zone allowed me to step out and realize what for so long seemed unreachable was just within my reach! Never stop growing!

In conclusion, I would like to share practical information on my experience for any who may seek to pursue the same.  On this trip, I rode a glass top coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound managed by Southern Discoveries and a catamaran through Milford Sound also run by Southern Discoveries. Both rides were very enjoyable and lots of interesting information was provided on board by the guides. Paul, the coach guide, was fantastic in his explanations, the result of lots of personal research. My light plane flight back to Queenstown was by Glenorchy Air and I would certainly recommend this flight to anyone who wants to take the entire air land water experience. The pilot, Lucas, was great, the flight smooth and never did I feel unsafe.

An interesting note is information I learned from the pilot of my flight, Lucas. Only 20 percent of scheduled flights from Milford Sound to Queenstown actually take place due to the weather in the Sound; consequently, if you go, just hope you are one of the lucky ones who gets to fly back!!!