After our Doubtful Sound Cruise we drove to Te Anau in order to book the Kepler Track hike. Tour bookings can be done in information center of the DOC in many cities of NZ. The Kepler Track is one of the ten great walks in New Zealand. In order to hike the track you need to book a permit and pay for the accommodation (hut, camping).
As we planned for the next day to visit the Milfort Sounds, we looked for a camping spot on the way. We found the DOC camp Henry Creek, which was scenery wise one of the nicest places we slept in NZ.
We had an amazing sun down over the lake Te Anau, with all colors to image. The lake itself was chilly and invited not too much for swimming, but we could not help and try it anyway. It was a short matter. The night was sleepless, as we had hard wind and a big rain storm over us. The tent pole did not break but it was really at it limit what the whole tent construction could hold.
As we did not plan to do another cruise in the Milfort Sound we had a lot of time to explore the area. On the way you will drive through the Eglinton Valley, in case you have two hours to spare take the walk around the Mirror Lakes or make a stop at the Lake Gunn.
The most surprising at this day was the Kea. It is a large species of parrot and it is a really naughty bird, that even tries to eat the car sealing.
Even if you do not plan to do a cruise in the Milford Sound, it is worth to drive to the Sound and just enjoy the ride and places on the way.
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