Milford Sound, acclaimed as one of the Eight Wonders of the World, is approximately a 4-hour drive from Queenstown. The journey is long and passes through mountainous terrain, so it’s best to download offline maps in advance, as there might be no signal in some areas. The mountain roads can be narrow, so exercise caution while driving, especially around bends!
Navigate to the Discover Milford Sound Cruises Information Centre & Café, next to which is the closest main parking area, costing $25 for 5 hours. Remember to place your parking ticket on your dashboard for inspection.
Then, it’s a 15-minute walk from the parking area to the Milford Sound Visitor Centre, which serves as the departure point for the terminal. Since you need to check in 30 minutes before departure, it’s advisable to arrive at the parking area an hour in advance.
Milford Sound Cruise
There are two major cruise companies operating large vessels: Real NZ and Southern Discovery, both offering a smooth 2-hour tour. We chose Real NZ during the off-peak hours, and they provided hot drinks and biscuits on board.
The weather was stormy before departure, but miraculously cleared up halfway through the journey! However, Milford Sound is the wettest and rainiest region in all of New Zealand, with a 50% chance of encountering rainy weather, so there’s no need to worry or be discouraged. In fact, rainy weather enhances the flow and visibility of waterfalls.
If the weather and time allow, you can also visit the Milford Sound Road Scenic Route and the Milford Foreshore Walk, both excellent spots for stunning views, each requiring about 30 minutes for a round trip.
Milford Sound has a humid and rainy climate with year-round clouds and mist, creating a mysterious atmosphere. The scenery here changes every day, so every visitor can enjoy unique views and experiences.
Milford Sound Aerial Tours
Tourists can take a plane round trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Helicopter tours are also an option. You can enjoy the fjord from the air and it will be an exhilarating experience!
Kayaking
The kayaking adventure allows you to truly appreciate the beauty of the fjord. The mountain peaks on both sides are shrouded in thin mist, hovering halfway up the mountainside, resembling figures in white veils!
The kayaking group we booked consisted of 8 people, with two people per kayak. We were kept busy with gearing up and safety instructions. At around 9:30 AM, we got into the water under the guidance of our leader.
Our leader took us past waterfalls and paddled us to the foot of snow-capped mountains. We crossed the fjord horizontally, and along the way, our leader shared various fun facts about the fjord. Near the waterfall, a playful little seal followed our kayak!
Accommodation
Near the Milford Sound Visitor Centre, there is only one accommodation option: Milford Sound Lodge.
Overnight Cruises are available, where tourists can choose to stay on board.
You can also stay in Queenstown or Te Anau, but it requires a same-day return trip.
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