Wondering how to get from Queenstown to Milford Sound, New Zealand + looking for the best things to do in Milford Sound? If ‘yes,’ then now you have the perfect guide for what to do in Milford Sound, including the best activities and insider tips. We’ve also highlighted the best Milford Sound tours for your convenience.
When we stepped on the Milford Sound cruise, we circled a couple of times to take in the gorgeous views! The giant mountains surrounding this ‘Sound’ looked spectacular. For the uninitiated, ‘Sound’ means a mountainous valley flooded by ocean water. It is similar to a Fjord, just wider.
Many low clouds were swiftly passing through the mountain gaps, where as some bigger clouds enveloped the mountain peaks while passing. The only thing missing was a bunch of Pterosaurs flying around these mountain peaks and some dinosaurs lurking near the waterfalls. Pterosaurs are nothing but dinosaurs with wings.
The dinosaurs are surely extinct, but your imagination is not! Just imagine these creatures around Milford Sound and it would give similar vibe to being in a Jurassic Park! That’s how untouched & pure Milford Sound seemed.
A Bit about Milford Sound – A Magical Place Which May Have Inspired Jurassic Park
If you ever get a chance to visit South Island of New Zealand, make sure you visit Milford Sound. The views of various sites like Stirling falls, Mitre peaks, etc. are just spectacular. Your minds are surely going to be blown away!
The place has a large number of boat tours and aerial sightseeing options, which can help the visitors to capture the beauty of the land from all possible perspectives. This place receives millions of tourists every year and the small populations of around 150 people that live here are almost entirely working in the field related to tourism.
This locality was dominated by the Maori people and was untouched by European explorers until as late as 1812 when Captain John Grono first set foot here. He named this place Milford Haven after his birthplace in Wales. Later, it was changed to Milford Sound by Captain John Lort Stokes in 1998.
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Queenstown to Milford Sound: How to reach Milford Sound?
This place is situated 287 km away from Queenstown, which serves as the closest airport to get a flight here. You can also drive or get a bus, which will take you around 4-5 hours. If you want to take the road, you will definitely enjoy the scenic natural beauty of the route. As the weather is unpredictable and it rains a lot, it is important to plan everything out well in advance so that you don’t get into any problem on the day you have to travel.
However, if you opt for the flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown, you will be save a lot of time! Of course you will be paying more than double for the flight, but totally worth it. You not only save time & don’t get too exerted, but also get to see some amazing views while flying. The flight from Queenstown to Milford is considered to be one of the most beautiful flights across the globe!
Generally, it’s highly recommended to book a package by the leading providers such as Real Journeys or Southern Discoveries. These packages combine the mode of transport & a cruise in the Sound.
A Coach – Cruise – Coach package costs around 200 NZD while a Fly – Cruise – Fly package costs around 550 NZD. This price is from Queenstown. You can also opt for an overnight cruise at Milford Sound.
Milford airport is very small and is meant to serve small aircraft flying from Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau. Ideally, you should take these packages instead of booking the commute & cruise separately.
Also Read – 10 Amazing Facts about New Zealand
Where to stay when visiting Milford sound?
As it is a heritage site, you will not be allowed to camp anywhere freely. However, there are a few campsites like this one in Knobs Flat, where you can book your entry and get a lodge or hut for stay.
Fjordland National Park is another major accommodation provider in the area as it has the Milford Sound Lodge for catering travelers that visit the place.
Another great stay option will be the overnight cruise packages that will take you on the tour of the scenic beauty of the Sound and will also provide food and accommodation. Example: There is this great one called Milford Sound Overnight Cruise – Fiordland Discovery.
If you don’t find accommodation there, it is better to stay in Queenstown as it is well connected and has the necessary transportation options as well.
Booking.comWhat to do in Milford Sound? – Top Milford Sound Activities
This place is filled with tourist spots that can cater to all the requirements that one has when they visit a place in search of natural beauty and adventure. The travelers that come here immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area and enjoy the various waterfalls, cliffs, hiking tracks, etc.
The following are some of the best attractions and activities that you can indulge yourself in while at Milford Sound.
1. Sightseeing cruise and flights
There are several flight and cruise services that offer packages for tourists so that they can experience the natural beauty of the place closely. When it comes to cruise ship packages, these include things like sightseeing of the whole Milford Sound and journey through the narrow passes with natural beauty all around. You will be able to see Stirling falls, seal colonies, and other major attractions as well, allowing you a lot of photographic opportunities.
Similar is the case with flights, however, the duration of flights is a lot less and you will be shown the aerial view of the peaks and rainforest of the region. The aerial view will provide you with another perspective to admire the natural beauty of the place and will give you an experience that will stay in your memory for a long time.
The cruise takes you up close to the waterfalls. The experience is very overwhelming as the massive water splashes bounce off the cruise and leave you drenched!
2. Discovery center and underwater observatory
If you are interested in marine life and want to learn a few things on the topic, The Milford Sound Discovery center and the underwater observatory is your best option. The underwater viewing area of this observatory allows travelers to experience the fascinating life of an aquatic animal from beneath the surface. You will also be able to see the very rare deepwater aquatic life forms like black coral due to a phenomenon called deep water emergence. During your tour, you will be told about the region, its history, culture, geology, wildlife, and heritage, etc.
3. Lady Elizabeth Bowen falls
This is the highest waterfall in the region and is one of the major sources of energy and freshwater in the region. It is present on the side of the Sound, adding to the beauty of the locality.
It has a majestic height of 531ft and is one of the permanent waterfalls here. You can stand on the shores to experience the gentle spray of water droplets or you can go kayaking in the wash to experience its majestic nature from up close.
4. Humboldt Falls
This is one of the most breathtaking spectacles of a natural waterfall in the area. Reaching this waterfall is not very easy and it can only be viewed from the official viewing platform. It is located in the Serpentine Range and splashes water from the top in a total of three leaps.
The best thing about this waterfall is that after heavy rain, sometimes another waterfall can appear along with it and it can be on either side, enhancing and uplifting the viewing experience and the beauty by a significant margin.
5. Guided hikes to the Key Summit
There are a lot of hiking tracks in the region and it is also one of the most fun activities to do in the region. If you are an experienced hiker, you can go solo otherwise it is recommended that you hire a guide for it.
The Key summit hike will be a three-hour hiking tour which you will thoroughly enjoy. It will take you through a zig-zag climb and into the heights of the mountain ranges and you will feel completely immersed in the mountain beauty.
When you reach your destination, you will be greeted with a stunning view of natural beauty all around you. You will also get a sneak peek into the beauty of Fjordland National Park.
Bonus: What to do near Milford sound – Visit the mirror lake
While on the road towards Milford Sound, this is a lake hidden in plain sight, and most of the travelers that are going to visit Milford often miss it. Due to its beauty and a calm aura all around the environment, it becomes almost irresistible to say no to a visit there. Just a 2 min walk from the roadside will bring you to this highly reflective water body where you will be able to see a crystal clear reflection of the mountain range behind.
insider Tips for visiting Milford Sound
This placed is packed with tourists all year long. This is why everything from your transportation to your stay and even the things that you want to do like booking, a hiking slot, or a boat for the scenic tour of the Fjord operate from Queenstown. The weather in the region is lovely and the place receives a lot of rain. Make sure you have umbrellas and raincoats if you are planning on seeing the sites by walk.
The best time to visit is December and January because the weather during this time is comparatively pleasant and suitable for hiking and other activities. Do consider booking the trips in advance. In case there are weather limitations, the providers will refund the money.
Keep an eye out for the Sea Lions. Take a pair of binoculars or a camera with high zoom to get a closer look. The cruise operator will announce when you can spot the Sea Lions, make sure you don’t miss the chance.
Various tour providers
Here, I have mentioned the various tour providers that you can consider for your Milford Sound experience. The weather at Milford Sound is unpredictable throughout the year. So, make sure you choose a provider which is dependable.
1. Real Journeys
They are the major cruise trip providers in the region and they have several packages for the people. You can go for a complete nature cruise starting from Queenstown or you can even participate in a small cruise trip.
They provide sightseeing opportunities in the Sound and will show you the natural beauty of the region from close. This is the one that we enjoyed Milford Sound with.
2. Southern Discoveries
This is another major operator for Milford Sound cruises. They have good reviews and are pretty dependable in serving the customers.
3. Trips and tramps
This tour provider provides you with a guided tour starting from Queenstown in a vehicle. On the way, pit stops will be made to show you important locations so that you can take photographs and enjoy the natural beauty.
4. Intercity Milford Sound day tours
They provide all kinds of tours and trips in the region and perhaps the most famous are the guided tours. In these tours, you will get a guide driver and a vehicle and you will be taken to the beautiful locations on the way. Once you reach there you will then be taken on a journey to the most famous peaks of the locality.
Wrapping Up
I hope you liked this Milford Sound guide. This was one of my most memorable experience while visiting New Zealand and I’d definitely recommend it.
This is a guest post: Umang from the blog Travel Max.
Author’s Bio: Umang Trivedi is a travel blogger based in India. He has been writing about his travelogues since 2013. Umang has traveled extensively across India, Europe, South East Asia and New Zealand. Based on his experiences, he also compiles travel tips, itineraries and more. You can follow adventures on Instagram and Twitter.
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