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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 62

West Coast Sound

West Coast Sound.

Our course now lies by coach journey of 152 miles through the mining districts of Cromwell, Clyde, and Naseby to Palmerston, whence we have a three hours run by train to Dunedin, capital city of Otago, and considered the finest commercial city of the colony. Here a rest of a few days may well be taken while the tourist waits for the sailing of the s.s. Tarawcra on her West Coast Sound trip, which occupies eight or nine days, the steamer nightly anchoring in the calm deep waters of these inland arms of the sea, which wind among towering peaks for many miles. They strongly resemble the fiords of Norway, are very deep, and by reason of the precipitous mountains that rise from the water's edge exhibit some of the grandest scenery of the world. Day by day the steamer anchors in the various sounds, such as Preservation Inlet, Dusky Sound, Wet Jacket Arm, Milford Sound, and Doubtful Inlet, all which are teeming with sights worthy of the more notable scenery of Europe. The marvels of the Mitre Peak, the Bowen, and Sutherland Falls cannot be accurately described in word pictures, they must be seen to be fully appreciated.

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As we stand upon the steamer's deck an endless variety of scene passes before us like a panorama. Snow-capped summits, giant rocks, ranges clothed with dark green foliage, relieved by countless cascades and waterfalls, pass in rapid succession. Ashore where we land at one place or another are strange birds, as the kiwi, kakapo, and penguin, while fish of infinite variety are at home in the deep waters. We return filled with admiration at the endless variation in the landscape we have gazed upon.