This is a land where ancient beech trees twist and tower skywards. Where emerald ferns blanket the forest floor. And where sapphire streams carve valleys.

Ever since I hiked the Milford Track with my mother two decades ago, Fiordland’s splendour and solitude have left their mark on me. So it was a delight to return to and explore this enchanted land with her once more.

We hiked through puddles and paths, climbed over (and scrambled under) fallen trunks, shuffled along narrow wire bridges and fell through moss-covered tree roots. We loved every moment of it.