Doubtful Sound

Posted byrkrontheroadPosted inAustralia/New Zealand, Photography, South Island, TravelTags:, , ,

When I traveled around the South Island of New Zealand in 2010, I drove down the east coast and cut across to the fjord country through Queenstown. Circling the South Island with my son in 2014, we started by driving along the west coast.

Our one planned stop was to see the unusual striated limestone formations at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and take the short Blowholes Walk. The tides weren’t at their height, so the blowholes didn’t perform for us. Rather than try to explain this unique landform in my layman’s terms, here’s a quote from New Zealand’s Parks and Recreation website:

“They were formed 30 million years ago from minute fragments of dead marine creatures and plants landed on the seabed about 2 km below the surface. Immense water pressure caused the fragments to solidify in hard and soft layers. Gradually seismic action lifted the limestone above the seabed. Mildly acidic rain, wind and seawater sculpted the bizarre shapes.”

Along the way

Punakaiki Cavern
Waiho Bailey Bridge

This time, in Fiordland National Park, we spent a night on a ship in Doubtful Sound, just south of Milford Sound. The area was originally named Doubtful Harbour in 1770 by Captain Cook. He was uncertain whether it was navigable under sail, so he and his crew chose not to enter the inlet. Whalers and sealers later renamed it Doubtful Sound.

Mostly blue skies and puffy white clouds graced our visit, unlike my time in Milford, which was foggy and gray. And it was a perfect day for kayaking.

Our ship
Adam and a friend
Shipmates waving hello
White rocks
a tiny island

The seals were out sunning that day.

Evening

Morning

Back to shore

New Zealand
North Island: Auckland, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Wellington
South Island: Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dunedin, Otago, Oamaru, Moeraki

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Published by rkrontheroad

Writer, photographer, traveler

32 thoughts on “Doubtful Sound”

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  15. Wow, amazing landscapes - that opening shot is a stunner, as is the one of the morning reflections! And the striated limestone formations are intriguing 😲

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  17. The Pancake Rocks remind me of the Giant’s Causeway (which I’ve never seen) in the northwest corner of Ireland. Fantastical rock formations. And I love the name and story behind “Doubtful Sound”.

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    1. I’ve been to the Giant’s Causeway and it’s formed from basalt, while the Pancake Rocks are limestone, but both seem to be able to create such interesting patterns. I do love that name and story!

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    1. Thank you, Alison. I can see why Milford Sound is more popular and famous, but this one’s a treasure as well. My son made friends with some younger couples on the ship, so that was a fun note for him.

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