Your guide to visiting the majestic Milford Sound, New Zealand

With 182 days of rain per year, Milford Sound in New Zealand is famous for being one of the wettest places in the world, it is a mission to get to and it’s swarming with sandflies, yet it attracts a million visitors a year. Why?

In short – because it is absolutely freaking stunning! Milford Sound (Piopiotahi in Te Reo Maori), and the drive through the Fiordlands to get to Milford Sound tops the list of must-see things in New Zealand.

Imagine hundreds of waterfalls, lush rainforests, steep fjords, minimal light or sound pollution, the prettiest sunsets and sunrises, and that’s only the start!

In a hurry?

These are the best ways to experience Milford Sound either from Queenstown, Te Anau or from Milford Sound village:

Small group tour from Queenstown
Small group tour from Te Anau
Coach, cruise & fly from Queenstown
Fly, cruise, fly from Queenstown
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
Milford Sound Small Boat Cruise

Stay at: Milford Sound Lodge

What is Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a popular tourist destination within Fiordland National Park and part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site in New Zealand.

Despite its name, Milford Sound is actually a fiord, not a sound. A sound is formed by the flooding of a river valley, whereas a fiord is a valley formed by glaciers that later filled with sea water when the glaciers melted.

Renowned for its dramatic scenery, it draws almost a million visitors annually. While it is not officially recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it is often considered a natural wonder due to its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity.

Milford Sound is also famous for being one of the wettest places in the world. In fact it gets so much rain that they measure the annual rainfall in meters instead of millimeters, like in the rest of the world. On average, Milford Sound gets almost 7 meters of rain per year, whereas the worldwide average is 990 millimeters, or less than a meter per year.

Where is Milford Sound?

Milford Sound is nested in Fiordland National Park on the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It is very remote and there is only one dead-end road into Milford Sound. It’s quite a long drive, but a scenic and worthwhile one!

While Queenstown and Milford Sound are only 70 km away from each other in a straight line, a massive mountain range separates the two. If you want to drive to Milford Sound, the only option is to go all the way around the Humboldt and Eyre mountains.

Best way to see Milford Sound

The best way to see Milford Sound is a coach, cruise & flight tour from Queenstown as it lets you see Milford Sound from all vantage points – air, water, and land.

You’ll take the bus one way so that you can experience the scenic drive with plenty of stops along the gorgeous Milford Road. Once in Milford Sound you’ll do a Milford Sound boat cruise and see this gorgeous fjord from the water. And to top it all off you’ll catch a quick plane ride back for breathtaking views over Milford National Park, the Southern Alps and Waikatipu Lake on your way back to Queenstown.

How to Visit Milford Sound

Since flying ain’t cheap most people opt for the long drive which is much more affordable but you won’t get a chance to see the fjords from above and the trip takes longer due to the driving distance.

There are a number of different ways to explore Milford Sound that take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days. You can experience Milford Sound by boat, kayak, helicopter, plane, walk around, take a bus tour there and even explore it underwater.

The best way to visit Milford Sound will depend on your budget, whether you have your own wheels as well as how much time you have in NZ and your other plans while in the country, you have several options for visiting Milford Sound.

1. Visit Milford Sound on a bus tour

Budget option
Best if you’re on a budget and don’t have your own wheels.

A bus tour is a great option if you don’t have your own means of transportation or you’re on a budget. These bus tours are great value, comfortable and super easy. The tours run daily from Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau. They stop at the main photo spots along the way and provide heaps of information on the area.

The downside? There’s not much flexibility to be had with bus tours like these and you won’t be able to do any of the hikes. Also, you’re always surrounded by at least a few dozen people from your tour so you can kiss that perfect insta shot goodbye.

2. Join a (semi) private tour of Milford Sound

Great value and less crowds
Best if you don’t have your own wheels but want a flexible and less crowded way to explore.

A small group or private tour is the perfect compromise between driving on your own and a big bus tour. You might want to consider this small group Milford Sound tour from Queenstown which includes the drive, cruise and lunch, and is capped at 12 people for lot more flexibility than the big group tours.

You can also make your way to Te Anau and opt for the much cheaper private tour from Te Anau which gives you the opportunity to hike up Key Summit for stunning views over Fiordland NP.

3. Hop on a scenic flight to Milford Sound

Most scenic and memorable, fastest
Best if you’re in a time crunch, want a special experience.

If you’re after the ultimate way to experience Milford Sound then a scenic flight is the way to go! This is also a great option if you’re short on time as flying to Milford Sound is substantially faster than driving there.

Opt for a flight & cruise package so you get to explore the fjord on water as well, or a coach, cruise & flight tour so you get to explore more of Fiordland National Park on your drive back.

I love this helicopter tour from Queenstown. So why would you opt for a helicopter rather than a scenic flight by plane? Simple, because of the glacial landing on the way back! And obviously, the cruise is included too.

4. Do a road trip to Milford Sound

Most flexible
Best if you have plenty of time, want to do some hikes in Fiordland NP or are traveling by rental car or campervan.

Self-driving to Milford Sound will give you the most flexibility and freedom. There are plenty of scenic stops along the way and a ton of gorgeous hikes that you can do in Fiordland National Park.

Once you make your way to Milford Sound hop on this boat cruise. A great benefit of driving to Milford on your own is that you can schedule your cruise in a way that avoids the big crowds from all the bus tours.

I recommend an early morning tour or catching the last boat of the day for the best experience.

Read next: Te Anau to Milford Sound scenic drive

Best Milford Sound Cruise

The most straightforward way to see Milford Sound is by going on a boat cruise. Regardless of the type or length of the cruise you pick, most boats follow roughly the same route. They take you the whole 16 km length of Milford Sound and back, and depending on the conditions they might venture out on the open sea for a few minutes as well.

Whichever tour you decide to embark on, it’s generally best to book your Milford Sound cruise in advance, especially if you travel during the high season.

On our last visit we opted for the Southern Discoveries morning cruise including breakfast. The departure time worked perfectly for us and after our sunrise photo mission that delicious breakfast was well and truly needed. The great part about cruising with Southern Discovery is the access to the underwater observatory.

We really enjoyed our cruise but if we had a bigger budget or more time we probably would have chosen this overnight cruise.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the smaller the boat, the closer to the edge it can get which can make the fiords look even more impressive, and the splash from the waterfalls a lot bigger. If this is the kind of experience you’re after, then this small boat cruise is the right pick for you.

If you have the time and budget, consider this overnight cruise in Milford Sound. You’ll get to spend more time on the water and experience the fjords when everyone else has already left.

What will you see on a Milford Sound cruise?

You’ll start from the wharf and go past the Lady Bowen Falls as the boat leaves the wharf, which with its 162 meters is the tallest waterfall in Milford Sound and one of the only two permanent waterfalls here.

Then you’ll continue on past the foot of Mitre Peak, and as you make your way towards the Tasman Sea, you’ll go past a number of waterfalls sliding down the rock faces.

The number of waterfalls you’ll be able to see highly depends on the amount of rain Milford Sound had in the previous days, as most waterfalls only exist after heavy rainfall.

Depending on the conditions at sea, your captain might decide to take you onto the open Tasman Sea for a bit, after which the boat turns around to go back.

On the way back you’ll go past seal rock on which heaps of seals rest and sunbathe. You might also see other wildlife like bottlenose dolphins, dusky dolphins, or if you’re lucky even a whale or the extremely rare Fiordland Crested Penguin.

Then most cruises will show you the second permanent waterfall in Milfrod Sound, the 146 meter high Stirling Falls. You will go close enough to put the bow of the ship straight under the waterfall, giving everyone who is on deck a refreshing shower.

Depending on the company you are cruising with, additional items might be highlighted too, like Southern Discoveries’ underwater observatory at Harrison Cove. Here you can see what’s going on beneath the surface in Milford Sound.

Milford Sound from Queenstown tours

Queenstown is a major tourist hub and the perfect place to spend a few days (or years in my case). There is no shortage of Milford Sound tours from Queenstown that vary from coach tours to scenic flights with or without cruise.

The most popular choice is this coach-cruise-coach tour, but if you can afford it I’d highly recommend this coach-cruise-flight tour instead. It’s a much faster and less tiring way to explore Milford Sound. And the views from above over the Southern Alps, Fiordland NP, and both Milford and Doubtful Sounds are absolutely stunning and worth every penny!

What to expect from a Queenstown to Milford Sound tour

Queenstown to Milford Sound tours leave at around 7 am and last about 12 to 13 hours. It’s a long day but tours from Queenstown are super convenient if you don’t have a car.

The drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown takes about 4 hours so you’ll be on the road for a total of roughly 8 hours. Luckily, the drive between Te Anau and Milford Sound is super scenic and you’ll make plenty of stops.

You can shave off about 2h if you opt to fly one way, or can visit and cruise Milford Sound in as little as 4h if you opt to fly both directions. This is more expensive trip and you won’t be able to see the attractions along Milford Road, but it is a great option if you’re in a time crunch.

Once you make your way to Milford sound you’ll embark on a boat cruise and explore the fjords from the water. Usually, you’ll also have some time to walk around on your own before the bus starts making its way back to Queenstown.

Milford Sound from Te Anau tours

Te Anau is a lakeside town with beautiful scenery and absolutely worth a stop, especially if you’re planning on also visiting Doubtful Sound. The lakefront is stunning and offers breathtaking views over Fiordland National Park in the distance.

By spending the night in Te Anau before embarking on your tour to Milford Sound you’ll have a couple of hours of advantage on the bus tours starting from Queenstown and Wanaka meaning you won’t get stuck in the crowds. On top of that you’ll have more time to either enjoy Milford or do a hike along the way.

What to expect from a Te Anau to Milford Sound tour

Te Anau is also nicknamed the getaway to Milford Sound and is at the start of the scenic Milford Sound road. When you choose to visit Milford Sound from Te Anau the adventure starts right away with a scenic stop every few minutes.

Tours from Te Anau are shorter and cheaper than those departing from Queenstown since the drive is shorter as well, but they often include additional stops or short hikes along the way. Just make sure you opt for a tour that only departs from Te Anaou and not a Queenstown one that picks up more people along the way.

Milford Sound is very remote!

There are no shops or petrol stations, so fill up your tank and stock up before you leave Te Anau. You can find overpriced petrol in Milford in case of emergency.

There is no phone signal and no internet in Milford Sound or on the way.

Where to stay in Milford Sound

Accommodation in Milford Sound is very limited. If you want to stay the night in Milford Sound there is only one real option and that is the Milford Sound Lodge. They have 3 different kinds of chalets available that usually book out quickly, especially in high season. You must book your chalet in advance.

There is also the option of taking an overnight cruise and spending the night on the boat. If you chose to do so, we recommend you book this overnight cruise.

Camping in Milford Sound

Officially the only campsite in Milford Sound is the Rainforest Campervan Park operated by Milford Sound Lodge. This campsite fills up even quicker than the lodge itself so again, make sure to book your spot in advance. We learned that from experience.

When we got to Milford Sound in the early evening there were no accommodation options left for us. Not feeling tempted to drive all the way back in the dark, we started asking around a bit and were told that we could stay the night in our campervan in the Milford Sound car park as it was high season and that somebody might come in the morning to collect a camping fee of $20.

No one came to collect the next morning and we can’t find any information about it online, so if you decide to stay the night in the carpark, do so at your own risk.

Alternatively, you can stay in one of the DOC campsite along the Milford Road.

Te Anau to Milford Sound scenic drive

Fiordland National Park is one of the most scenic areas of New Zealand, and half the appeal of going to Milford Sound, is the drive and the stops along the way.

Below are the absolute highlights on the way to Milford, but there is so much more to see that we wrote a whole blog on this scenic drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound so make sure to check it out.

Sights along the Milford Road

1. Te Anau Downs & Lake Mistletoe
2. Mirror Lakes
3. Knobs Flat
4. Eglinton Valley
5. Lake Gunn & Cascade Creek
6. The Divide
7. Pop’s View Lookout
8. Humboldt Falls
9. Monkey Creek
10. Homer Tunnel
11. Hundred Falls & 1855 Lookout
12. The Chasm

Read next:
Te Anau to Milford Sound scenic drive

Best stops along the Milford Road

• Eglinton Valley: The Milford Road takes you straight through the Eglinton Valley. As you drive out of the forest the view suddenly opens up into the wide and flat valley floor, covered with golden green grassland and surrounded by steep rocky mountains. You can park alongside the road to walk into the valley and take in the view.
• Mirror Lakes: These small tarns are famous for (you guessed it) the way they reflect their surrounding scenery. On a calm day the lake shows a breathtaking reflection of the surrounding forest and mountain ranges. If you’re into photography, this spot is a photographer’s wet dream come true.
• Lake Gunn: This mountain lake is a nice spot for a break. Either stop at the roadside Lake Gunn Viewpoint to just have a look at the lake and its surroundings, or do the 45-minute long Lake Gunn Nature Walk. A walk that takes you through a beech forest with massive moss-covered trees and to the stony beach shore of Lake Gunn.
• The Chasm: Just before reaching Milford Sound you should take a stop at The Chasm. The Chasm is a series of waterfalls gushing through, well, a chasm. What’s so interesting about these waterfalls is their unbelievable force. You stand there watching massive amounts of water thunder into the deep below you thinking “I do not want to be kayaking/swimming/diving in there!”.
• Fiordland National Park hikes: There’s plenty of trekking options on your way to Milford Sound, including three of the Nine Great Walks; Routeburn, Kepler and Milford track. There are also many day hikes for you to choose, our favourite ones are Key Summit, Gertrude saddle and Marian Lake.

New Zealand is best explored by campervan!

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Best things to do in Milford Sound

1. Go on a Milford Sound Cruise

Arguably the most appealing part of coming to Milford Sound is to explore the fjord from the water on a boat cruise.

Regardless of the type or length of the cruise you pick, most boats follow basically the same route, taking you the whole 16 km length of Milford Sound and back, for an average of 2 hours on the water as explained above. The tours from Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau generally all include a cruise.

It’s generally best to book your Milford Sound cruise in advance, especially if you travel during the summer season.

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

If you have the time and budget, consider this overnight cruise in Milford Sound. It ain’t cheap, but the experience truly makes up for the money spent.

You’ll get to spend more time on the water and experience the fjords when everyone else has already left. Not to mention the stargazing opportunities!

This overnight cruise includes a 3-course dinner, private cabins, an onboard nature guide, and breakfast the next morning.

2. Explore on a Milford Sound Kayak Trip

Seeing the fjords while cruising on a boat is one thing, but seeing them from water level, getting up close and even touching them … now that puts things into perspective! On a Milford Sound kayak tour you get to paddle under waterfalls, as close as you dare and you feel small in the best way possible.

A boat cruise and and kayaking provide two completely different experiences so we recommend you try them both. We’ve found the perfect Milford Sound cruise and kayak package that includes a boat cruise, the underwater observatory, kayaking and even lunch!

3. Go diving

Diving in the Milford Sound fjord will give you a chance to explore the Piopiotahi marine reserve and Milford’s underwater world.

Due to Milford Sound’s heavy rainfall, mixing fresh and salt water on the surface and the huge mountains casting shadows over the waters, enough light is blocked to bring the deep-water ecosystem into the shallows.

While diving you may see Octopus, Stingray, Sharks, Eels, Crayfish, Nudibranch and many, many different fish species. One of the highlights are also the black coral trees

4. Walk the Milford Foreshore Walk and Milford swing

The Milford Foreshore Walk is a short 15-minute loop walk that takes you to the waterfront. It starts from the car park, goes past the shore, through the woods, and ends at a lookout point with an unobstructed view over the water towards Mitre Peak. This spot is especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset.

To find the Milford swing keep right at the fork and jump off the track as you reach a little sandy beach. You’ll see some sort of spit towards the warf. Walk over the rocks for about 100 meters to get to the swing. From the swing you’ll get beautiful views over the bay and Mitre Peak.

Milford Sound & Milford swing map

5. Take in the views from Milford Sound Lookout

The Milford Sound Lookout track begins from the Southern edge of the carpark behind the cafe at Milford Sound. This is a short walk up some stairs to the lookout which boosts spectacular views over Milford Sound. Keep in mind that you will be walking through the bush where sandflies are plentiful and extremely hungry.

6. Snap the photogenic Mitre Peak

One of Milford Sound’s most iconic features is the impressive Mitre Peak. This mountain with its distinctive shape rises 1692 meters straight up out of the water, and it is the first thing that draws your attention as you approach Milford Sound.

Mitre Peak is so iconic, that it is actually the most photographed mountain in the country, even more than New Zealand’s highest mountain; Mount Cook.

Because Milford Sound is hundreds of meters deep, a large portion of Mitre Peak and the connected mountains is submerged and hidden underwater. For Mitre Peak the depth is 420 meters, and other nearby mountains go to depths of 512 meters under water!

7. Watch the sunset and sunrise

Most people do Milford Sound as a day trip but in our opinion the real beauty of this place comes to life after everyone’s left and all you can hear is the gentle splashing of the waves and birdsongs.

First make your way to the swing to watch the sunset. There’s something magical about the way the sun sets behind Mitre peak and creates a beautiful display of sun rays behind the peak.

Then wake up for the sunrise and watch the first light hit the calm waters of Piopiotahi.

8. Marvel at the Stars

The stars shine brighter in Milford Sound and there’s many more of them too! Or at least thats how it feels like.

Milford Sound is so remote that there is almost no light pollution in the area. When you look up at the sky you’ll see a display like no other.

Best time to visit Milford Sound

The Best time to visit Milford Sound is a rainy day in late Spring or early Autumn. Summer is high season and a place this small gets very crowded very fast. In winter there is a risk of road closures due to snowfall or avalanches, plus it’s just really really cold!

As much as we all dislike rain on our adventures, you should actually hope for a bit of rain during your visit to Milford Sound. Visiting Milford Sound on a rainy day makes the experience so much better because rain is the weather that this environment thrives in.

New waterfalls spring form everywhere, the already existing ones become a lot bigger and the valley gets covered in a mystical fog, which only adds to the moody and dramatic feel of it all. A scenery that’s sure to give you goosebumps.

So check the Milford Sound weather forecast before setting off.

If you’re a photographer then you’ll love Milford Sound in spring and autumn as the days are just a little bit shorter than in summer which is perfect for sunrise and sunset photo missions and the temperatures are still bearable even when the sun goes down.

Is Milford Sound really worth it?

Absolutely! Many people say that Milford Sound is the most beautiful thing they have ever seen and it is often dubbed the 8th wonder of the world. It might sound like a tourist trap, but it’s a tourist trap you should not avoid.

We’ve spent over a year exploring all of New Zealand’s corners, but still whenever we hear that somebody else has been to New Zealand, the first spot we ask if they’ve been to is Milford Sound.

Getting to Milford is a massive and expensive detour from any route, but it is worth every second and every cent.

The drive to Milford Sound through Fiordland National Park alone is already so incredibly scenic and worth it on its own. Milford Sound is certain to be a highlight you’ll talk about for weeks, and it should be in every New Zealand South Island itinerary.

Watch out for sandflies.

Honestly, there isn’t an area in the world where there are as many sandflies as in Fiordland National Park. No, not even on the West Coast! And we’re a 100% certain that they bite harder than anywhere else too.

Milford Sound vs Doubtful Sound

The choice between Milford or Doubtful Sound can be tough. I’ve done them both and enjoyed them both, however, if I had to choose one it would be Milford Sound.

Milford Sound is a lot more accessible than Doubtful Sound. The road to Milford is beautiful and diverse, while the trip to Doubtful Sound, although an adventure, fairly quickly turns into more of the same. The fjords in Doubtful Sound are less steep than Milford and there’s not as many waterfalls.

Read next: Best places to see wildlife in New Zealand

But doubtful Sound has one big thing going for it – the wildlife! While it is possible to see dolphins and penguins in Milford Sound, the chances are fairly slim.

In Doubtful Sound the wildlife is plentiful. I’m assuming because there’s less people and less boats to disturb them. We got the pleasure of spotting two playful Fiordland Crested Penguins and a pod of dolphins on our cruise.

And, as a parting thought, I’m leaving yo with the words of our Doubtful Sound cruise captain when we asked him which fjord does he prefer;

Milford Sound is the hot girl everyone wants. Doubtful Sounds is the cute girl next door that really deserves more attention.