Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by Alexx
Heading to the magical Milford Sound on your upcoming South Island trip? Here are the best things to do in Milford Sound during your time in Fiordland, from an iconic fiord cruise to more intrepid adventures.
Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most iconic destinations, known for its pristine natural environment and otherworldly scenery, best discovered by boat. It’s pretty well-known for being one of the best day trips from Queenstown.
But what many people don’t realise is that beyond a cruise on the fiord, there are loads things to do in Milford Sound that warrant more than a day trip. And if you’re going all that way – it’s a four hour drive from Queenstown without photo stops – you’re going to want to make the most of your time in this remote slice of paradise.
Given that I was born and raised in New Zealand, I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t set foot in Fiordland until 2020, but it immediately stole my heart and has become an annual pilgrimage for me when I come home each year. I’ve seen it in all the seasons, from sunny summer days to unforgiving winters. I’ve kayaked, cruised, walked and photographed my way around Milford Sound, so I’ve got plenty of travel tips for you.
There’s no doubt that the cruises are magic, they’re a wonderfully efficient and accessible way to explore Milford Sound, but there is plenty more on offer to fill an overnight (or longer) stay. So from kayaking or hiking to birdwatching or stargazing, here are the best things to do in Milford Sound.
Milford Sound: Know before you go
What is Milford Sound?
It’s hard to describe one of the most beautiful places on the planet but I’m going to give it a go. Think glacial water, cascading waterfalls, lush rainforests, playful wildlife and minimal light or sound pollution and that’s a good start.
Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi in te reo Māori, is nestled in the northern corner of Fiordland National Park, on the southwest coast of the South Island.
Despite its name, this ‘sound’ is not actually a sound at all, it’s a fiord. European settlers incorrectly named it, along with Doubtful, Dusky, Bligh and other fiords, a ‘sound’ for whatever reason, and at the same time they spelled New Zealand’s fjords as ‘fiord’ just to be annoying.
Geographically, fiords are narrow inlets flanked by steep cliffs, caused by glacier erosion, whereas sounds are river valleys that have been flooded by the ocean. Semantics, your honour!
Best time to visit Milford Sound
Milford Sound is captivating in any season, whether you’ve got blue skies and glistening glacial water, or ominous clouds with countless temporary waterfalls.
New Zealand’s weather is hard to pick, and Milford Sound’s annual rainfall of 6.8m over 200 rainy days means more than likely you’re going to get a bit wet. Luckily, inclement weather in Fiordland National Park is all part of the magic!
Rainfall is fairly consistent year-round but there are pros and cons of both summer and winter visits.
🌄 Warmer months on average bring slightly more rainfall and higher humidity, but average temperatures are around 18-20°C with highs of up to 27°C. Summer is peak season for the area so expect to share it with more tourists, and sandflies are rampant, so definitely take some insect repellent to avoid itchy bites, and some insect bite relief cream for the inevitable bites you can’t escape.
🏔️ In winter, average temperature is from 6-10°C, and the mountains and higher altitude sections of the Milford Road will get snowy. Winter may require extra layers but the cooler weather generally increases wildlife activity so you might have more of a chance to see dolphins, seals and penguins.
Is Milford Sound worth it?
After visiting five times in five years, it’s pretty clear that I think Milford Sound is totally worth the trip.
Yes, it’s busy, and yes, it’s a bit of a detour from other South Island must-visits, but it truly is an incredibly unique and dramatic landscape that is accessible by road and can be done on somewhat of a budget.
👉🏼 Read more: Milford Sound vs Doubtful Sound – Which one should you visit?
The best things to do in Milford Sound
1. Do a Milford Sound day cruise
Seeing Milford Sound by boat is the top activity for most visitors, and for good reason, The fiord is beautiful from the foreshore, but getting up close and personal with the waterfalls, sailing out to the Tasman Sea and spotting seals on the rocks is something special.
There are a number of companies running cruises in Milford Sound but I love RealNZ, they’re a long-time tourism operator in Fiordland (over 70 years!) and they have a huge focus on sustainable tourism, conservation and carbon reduction.
RealNZ have a few different ships in Milford Sound and the cruises on offer will depend on the time of year.
On previous trips I’ve been on the Milford Mariner (a traditional ‘scow’ boat with sails, very pirate-y and great for photography!) and on my 2024 trip I just went on the Milford Haven, which has a modern fit out, an epic rooftop deck and a cafe serving up some delicious platters with local meats and dips. They also offer premium cruises on the MV Sinbad, a smaller, more intimate vessel with a glass of Champagne included.
I’ve seen bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin (tawaki in te reo Māori) on Milford Sound cruises, but you have to keep your eyes peeled and remember that nature is unpredictable, so sightings aren’t promised.
You can choose to self-drive to and from Milford Sound, to book a coach + cruise package from Te Anau or Queenstown, or book a fly-cruise-fly or fly-cruise-coach package to get the best of both worlds.
2. Do an overnight cruise in Milford Sound
I haven’t had the chance to tick this one off yet, but the overnight Milford Sound experience is so high on my New Zealand bucket list.
Overnight cruises with RealNZ include accommodation in bunk, twin or double cabins, a three course buffet dinner and cooked breakfast, the opportunity to explore by kayak or tender, commentary and the chance to chat to a specialist nature guide, and the opportunity to experience Milford Sound at its best once the day trippers have left.
3. Go kayaking
Kayaking in Milford Sound with Rosco’s Milford Kayaks is one of the highlights of all of my travels around the world! If you’re up for a bit of physical exercise coupled with the most insane views you’ve ever seen, you’ve got to add this to your itinerary.
They have a range of kayak trips depending on how much time you have and how long you’d like to paddle for, and you can either meet them in Milford Sound or book a transfer from Te Anau and back.
We went for the Sunriser Classic, which started at 9am and included just over three hours of paddling. Floating right on the dark glacial water looking up to the snow-capped Mitre Peak and thundering Lady Bowen Falls was overwhelming, at one stage I was literally on the verge of tears. It was an experience I’ll never forget!
The paddle was slightly tiring after three hours but conditions were perfect, our our legendary guide JD told us all about the fiord’s history, geography and wildlife. We spotted a rare tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin, and we even got a front row seat to watch a fur seal catch, play with and eat a fish!
Free things to do in Milford Sound
4. Drive to Milford Sound from Te Anau
Not exactly in Milford Sound, but one of the best parts of any Fiordland trip is the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
Milford Road is 120km long, and I’d recommend setting aside 3-4 hours including photo stops and a few short walks.
To read all about driving to Milford Sound, as well as the best photo spots, transportation options and important travel tips, read my full guide to the Milford Road.
5. Take a hike
There’s a bunch of walks around Milford Sound and the Milford Road, with options to suit every skill level. Always take bottled water, insect repellent (for those pesky sandflies) and something to take photos with!
For something short and rewarding, check out the Milford Sound Lookout Track which starts just behind the café, A 10 minute walk will take you to a viewpoint overlooking the stunning fiord.
Another option in Milford Sound itself is the Foreshore Walk, which takes you through native beech forest and along the shore of the sound, with epic views of the impressive 1692m tall Mitre Peak.
Along the Milford Road there’s the Lake Gunn Nature Walk, the Key Summit Track and the Lake Marian Track, and for serious hikers there’s the Routeburn Track from Milford Road to Glenorchy (2-4 days, hut bookings required), or the Milford Track from Te Anau Downs to right through to Milford Sound (4 days, hut bookings required).
6. Watch the sunset
A Milford Sound sunset is something special if you manage to catch the right conditions, with calm water, fiery skies and clouds hovering over sharp peaks.
There’s a couple of great sunset spots at Milford, like the walkway into the harbour from the ferry terminal, the foreshore walk, and the end of Deepwater Basin.
Take a warm jacket for when the temperature drops once the sun falls behind the mountains, and don’t forget insect repellent for the sandflies because they’re brutal at dusk.
7. Search for some native birds
Fiordland’s rugged landscapes and seascapes are home to a number of native birds, like the cheeky kea, kaka, South Island robin, Fiordland penguin, weka, tui and kakariki. The most remote parts of the Milford Track even have some local Fiordland kiwi, or tokoeka.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL TIP: Never feed native birds, it encourages them to rely on human interaction and can contribute to the dwindling numbers of endangered and vulnerable species.
8. Go stargazing
Another treat for those looking to spend a night at Milford Sound Lodge or the campervan park, stargazing on a clear night is a magical experience.
Head down to the foreshore with a hot thermos and watch the moon light up the snowy peaks surrounding you.
9. Chase waterfalls
It’s easy to let rainy weather dampen your experience (pun intended) but I mean it when I say Fiordland is best seen in the rain. Which is lucky, considering how wet it is!
Milford Sound comes alive during storms, where hundreds of temporary waterfalls begin to cascade over cliff edges and down jagged rockfaces. Permanent waterfalls like the Lady Bowen Falls (viewable from the foreshore) and the Stirling Falls (viewable in the distance but best seen on a cruise) are pretty magnificent too.
On my first trip I arrived in wet weather and managed to see Milford Road in all its rainy glory, before waking up to blue skies and a few leftover waterfalls the following morning. The best of both worlds!
Other things to do in Milford Sound
10. Visit the Underwater Observatory
Milford Sound’s underwater world is home to a phenomenon called deep water emergence which results in an incredibly unique underwater flora and fauna.
In the most simple terms, deep water emergence is where species normally exclusively found in deep water live much closer to the surface. Fiordland National Park experiences deep water emergence because the glacial freshwater pouring into the fiords from waterfalls doesn’t mix with the saltwater from the ocean, creating a layer of freshwater on top which stops sunlight reaching the seawater underneath. Thanks for coming to my deep water emergence TED Talk.
The Southern Discovery Underwater Observatory is the easiest way to see the effect of deep water emergence, with viewing platforms 10 metres below sea level. You can only access the observatory in conjunction with a Southern Discoveries cruise, with the observatory season starting in mid-November.
11. Go diving in Milford Sound
Divers from all over the globe come to Fiordland to dive in these special conditions, and are rewarded with black coral (which is actually white), monster crayfish and a huge variety of other sea life.
Local diving tour operators Descend run underwater tours into the fiord, with options for beginner divers, qualified divers and experienced divers looking for a challenge. They also offer dry suit training if you’re keen to expand your diving repertoire.
While it’s not exactly a tropical dive destination like Fiji or Thailand, the thriving wildlife and underwater vegetation is unlike anywhere else on the planet.
How to get to Milford Sound
Driving the Milford Road
Self-driving the Milford Road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is a must-do if you have your own vehicle. It’ll take you between 2 and 4 hours from Te Anau depending on how many stops you want to make, and it takes you past impressive valleys, abundant rainforests and steep mountains.
🚗 Read more about driving to Milford Sound with my Milford Road travel guide.
Milford Sound tours
Whether you’re staying in Te Anau or Queenstown, there are lots of options to get to and from Milford Sound if you don’t want to tackle the drive yourself.
As I already mentioned, the legends at RealNZ run coach transfers to and from both Queenstown and Te Anau which align with their cruises, just book the coach + cruise combo.
For a premium small-group experience, check out Altitude Tours who run day trips from both Queenstown and Te Anau. They have luxury Mercedes Sprinter vans to make the trip as comfortable as possible.
And if you’re looking for a bespoke private tour, I highly recommend checking out Envy Experiences, a local supplier who runs sustainable tours to Milford Sound in an electric Tesla Model X and includes a fiord cruise.
I did this with my parents on my second trip to Milford Sound and it was incredible to be able to enjoy the views without worrying about the driving, have all of our questions answered by a knowledgeable local, and even find some secret photo spots I had missed on my first trip.
Milford Sound scenic flights
If you’re short on time but not on money, a scenic flight to or over Milford Sound is guaranteed to be one of the best things you’ll ever do.
Flights go from both Te Anau or Queenstown and you can choose from a flyover, a brief landing or a longer landing with a cruise included.
On a previous South Island trip I joined the Milford Sound scenic flyover with Glenorchy Air and it was honestly one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my life. It was about 1h 20 minutes in the air total, so only about two hours from pick up to drop off, which meant it didn’t cut too much into my Queenstown itinerary.
BOOK IT: Looking to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime Milford Sound experience? This Queenstown to Milford Sound helicopter flight gives you a two hour round-trip flight with two landings included, one at Milford Sound and one on the mighty Tutoko Glacier. Perfect for a special occasion!
Where to stay in Milford Sound
Milford Sound Lodge Chalets
Milford Sound Lodge is the only accommodation provider in Milford Sound, and it’s brilliant. They have three chalet styles to choose from: mountain-view studios with a mini-fridge, two bedroom forest chalets with a kitchenette (fridge + microwave), and premium riverside studio chalets with a kitchenette and breath-taking views.
I’ve stayed in the mountain-view studio a couple of times and I’m obsessed, incredible views right outside your window, breakfast delivered to your door each morning and easy access to walks around the bush and foreshore.
The Lodge also has an on-site restaurant with a delicious menu, serving up locally-sourced ingredients for lunch and dinner.
Rainforest Campervan Park at Milford Sound Lodge
If you’re exploring New Zealand in a campervan, you can park up overnight at Rainforest Campervan Park, part of the Milford Sound Lodge. The park has powered sites to top up your batteries, clean kitchen and bathrooms facilities, and is set amongst a dramatic rainforest with an abundance of birdlife.
Keep an eye out for kea, a cheeky mountain parrot, who will try and eat anything and everything. That includes your windscreen wipers!
Milford Sound overnight cruise
If you want to maximise your time here and experience the fiord at its best, consider an overnight cruise.
This way you’ll get sunset and sunrise on the water, a much higher chance of seeing wildlife because there are less boats, and be able to jump into a kayak to explore right at sea level too.
Cascade Creek DOC campground
Cascade Creek is a DOC campground that’s just over half way from Te Anau to Milford Sound, and it’s got 120 sites for campervans and tents. It costs $15 per adult per night ($7.50 for kids over 5, under 4s are free) and that’s payable by cash to the self-registration kiosk. You need to book your spot on the DOC website.
Or stay in Te Anau
If the Milford Sound Lodge is all booked up and you don’t want to make the long drive from Queenstown, stay in Te Anau before and/or after your Milford Sound visit and then you only have to drive two hours each way rather than four.
Budget | I’ve stayed at the Te Anau TOP 10 Holiday Park and the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park, both are budget-friendly but very basic so don’t have high expectations of comfort or style. I’ve heard good things about Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers from fellow travellers too.
Mid-range | My top mid-range pick is Anchorage Motel (clean, comfy + they have a studio with an outdoor hot tub if you want to treat yourself) but some other highly-rated options are Annies on Milford, Dusky Motels and Aden Motel.
Luxury | My favourite place to stay in Te Anau is Radfords on the Lake, a family-owned 5* lakefront accommodation option with studios or 1 and 2 bedroom suites. It’s ideally located a short walk from town, has beautiful views of Lake Te Anau, and the owners are the epitome of southern hospitality. If you book here please tell Kerri that Alexx says hi!
I hope this travel guide has helped you plan some epic things to do in Milford Sound! If I’ve missed anything important of the list, or if you have any questions about the area or anywhere else in Fiordland, just let me know in the comments.
RELATED READS:
- 10 of the Best Things to Do in Te Anau
- Everything You Need To Know About Driving to Milford Sound
- The Ultimate New Zealand Bucket List
- Milford Sound vs Doubtful Sound: Which One Should You Visit?
- The Best Places to Visit in the South Island
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Queenstown and Te Anau are popular starting points for Milford Sound day tours. Both towns have a wide range of accommodation available, from hostels and campsites to Lodge in Te Anau. Many offer complimentary hotel pickup and dropoff from selected accommodation providers.
There is also a campground at the Milford Road.
Search for Queenstown or Te Anau accommodation now and get the best rates, guaranteed.