Milford Sound was eerily quiet, but sparkling clean yesterday as workers tried to keep busy on their ninth day isolated from the rest of the world.
A convoy of tourists was able to leave last Saturday, with only the staff remaining.
Cruising Milford Sound worker Anna Burgin said yesterday the ferry terminal was "very quiet - but very clean".
"We've been doing a lot of cleaning."
About 12 staff members from four companies worked in the terminal.
They were still answering phones and emails, but with no tourists in town the pace was slower.
"We still get paid to work, so we have to try and keep ourselves busy. We're hoping tourist flights will start again soon," she said.
Jason Carter, who is employed at the Milford Lodge, said about 50 staff members were trying to pass the time until tourists returned.
Staff had plenty of time to carry out maintenance and cleaning.
"Everyone is very cheery. We can go fishing and kayaking and catch up on odd jobs; [things] you can't do when other people are around. When you live in Milford, you expect road closures in winter," he said.
Milford Community Association member Allan Cosgrove said the community was keeping busy: "No-one is twiddling their thumbs. We're all still on the payroll and doing routine maintenance."
Mr Cosgrove, who is Fiordland Lobster Company depot manager, said fishermen were still working and his company had managed to fly out three loads of crayfish by helicopter.
It was the longest closure he had seen in his 10 years at Milford Sound.
Food supplies were still good and extra entertainment, such as pool competitions and bingo, was being provided at the Blue Duck Cafe and Bar.
New Zealand Tourism Association Southland area manager Peter Robinson said workers broke through to the Homer Tunnel on Wednesday night.
The road between the tunnel and Milford Sound was still covered by about 1m of snow.
"This has added another couple of days to the time to clear and open the road . . . [it's] looking like Monday for opening."
Real Journeys put on an extra boat to Doubtful Sound to cater for visitors unable to access Milford Sound.
International sales manager Tony McQuilkin said there was a surge in demand for Doubtful Sound cruises.
