Tourist buses return to Milford Sound after road damaged in storm

Friday, 21 February 2020

Convoys of tourist buses have returned to Milford Sound afher the Milford Road was badly damaged in a storm a fortnight ago.

Forty buses filled with tourists made a trip to Milford Sound on Friday morning, the first since the only access road to the tourist attraction was badly damaged in a storm a fortnight ago.

Three convoys were scheduled to make the journey into the Sound on Friday.

NZ Transport Agency Milford Road Alliance manager Kevin Thompson said despite some heavy rain, which was common in Fiordland all year round, and some minor flooding, the first two convoys set off as planned.

Agency journey manager Peter Brown said three return convoys were planned initially on a daily basis, subject to weather and urgent road repairs.

* Convoys from Milford Sound cancelled over concerns of more slips

* Amid the floods and landslides, Southland celebrates its status as NZ's wettest place

* Convoys to Milford Sound from Sunday, tourist access from next week**

The first convoy of 52 vehicles left East Gate at 10am and included 40 buses essential service vehicles for Milford Sound.

The second convoy at 12.30 was made up of 31 vehicles.

Southland District councillor Ebel Kremer said the return of tourist buses to the Sound was 'fantastic news.

'It's been a good co-ordinated approach from everyone involved and I'm sure the local businesses will be pleased to have them back.'

Despite the road closure, Te Anau had been 'reasonably busy' with tourists during the fortnight, he said.

'There's more to Fiordland than just Milford and people have realised that. There's Doubtful Sound of course, plenty of trips you can do out on the lake, beautiful native bush walks and the cycle trail.

'Te Anau has been open for business and the other opportunities here have been marketed very well. Restaurant businesses have been busy - we were never closed.'

The convoys would be reviewed as repairs advance, and self-driving people in campervans, cars or four-wheel drives were not able to get into Milford Sound.

'A huge amount of work is underway on this highway. By asking people to travel by bus, we minimise the time we need our crews to stop work,' Brown said.

Earlier this month a state of emergency was declared when a storm battered Fiordland, stranding tourists at Milford Sound and in huts on walks in the national park.

The Milford Road was badly damaged, and work was still under way to repair it.