Milford Sound

What is Milford Sound?

Milford Sound is a fjord located in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island, within Fiordland National Park. This area, formed by sea water entering a U-shaped valley carved by glaciers, is famous for its high cliffs, numerous waterfalls, mystical mist, and rich ecosystem.

• Location: About 287km from Queenstown, about 120km from Te Anau
• Climate: Very high rainfall throughout the year, often resulting in mystical foggy landscapes
• Main Points: Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls

Travel Tips

• No littering as it is a nature reserve
• No gas stations along the way → refuel in Te Anau
• Due to high rainfall and frequent climate changes, raincoats/waterproof jackets are essential
• Mobile signal is very weak – prepare offline maps

How to Get There

Self-Driving (Queenstown or Te Anau → Milford Sound)

• Queenstown → Te Anau (about 2 hours)
• Te Anau → Milford Sound (about 2 hours / total 120km)
• Total Time: Approximately 4-5 hours from Queenstown (one way)
• Route: Use State Highway 94 (Milford Road)
• You will pass through Homer Tunnel along the way, and chains are required in winter

Tour Bus

• Day tours available departing from Queenstown or Te Anau
• Recommended packages include a professional guide and one-way cruise

Scenic Flight / Helicopter Tour (Departing from Queenstown)

• One-way takes about 35 minutes to 1 hour, enjoy views of the Southern Alps and fjords from the window
• Combination of one-way flight + one-way bus is also possible