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Milford Sound New Zealand, South Island

Discover dramatic landscapes in Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park

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Trek through the mountainous landscape of Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park and discover the breathtaking scenery; striking fiords, magnificent waterfalls, and fascinating wildlife that call this New Zealand National Park Home. Surrounded by mountains, this park area is remote and perfect for hikers, photographers, and any outdoor explorer as there are plenty of world-famous walking paths and water activities on any of the lakes. You can also expect to see bottle-nosed dolphins, penguins, and fur seals who reside in the deepest fiord within the park.
Good to know

At a glance

Best time to visit
Nov–Apr
Recommended duration
1 night / 2 days
Average price per night Partner link

$90.00 / 79,00€ in Te Anau

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Travel guides Partner links
Lonely Planet
Rough Guides
Current weather
8.5°C / 47.3°F
overcast clouds
What's around

Highlights

Embark on a spectacular cruise through Milford Sound

Set sail and embark on a scenic cruise through the spectacular fjord of Milford Sound. We recommend booking one of the smaller vessels to get a more private experience avoiding the crowds. On the cruise, you'll be able to experience New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins up close. Besides the unique animals inhabiting the sound, the dramatic landscape with the many waterfalls (like the 160 m/525 ft high Bowen Falls), the hanging valley of Sinbad Gully, and Mount Pembroke's snow-capped top will leave a lasting impression on any visitor, guaranteed.

Board a plane for epic views and a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Arguably one of the best ways to experience the true scale and beauty of Milford Sound and the Fjordland National Park is to hop on a plane and fly over all the glaciers, waterfalls, and peaks. You will almost feel like you are touching Mitre Peak as you fly down the center of the fjord, with the stunning vertical mountains on each side and aerial views of the tumbling waterfalls below. Even though Milford Sound has a small airport, most flights will depart and return to Queenstown, while some helicopter flights depart from Te Anau.

Trek through world-renowned walks in and around Milford Sound

One of the main attractions that bring outdoorsy people from all over the world to Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park in New Zealand is the world-renowned walks available. The top three treks within this UNESCO-protected park are the Milford, Kepler, and Routeburn Track. Challenge yourself with the awesome sight and steep incline of the Kepler Track (60 km/37 mi loop), or the stunning beauty of the Milford Track (53 km/33 mi one way), or the all-around enthralling Routeburn Track (33 km/20 mi one way). The Kepler and Milford are around a 4-day journey, and the Routeburn is much less intense and only a 2-3 days journey.

Experience the magical beauty of the Te Anua Glowworm Caves

Set off the western shores of Te Anua lake in Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park in New Zealand are a set of magical caves that glow in the dark. Take a short cruise to the shore before the caves and hop out in order to enter the caves. You will be able to read information about the Caves as you explore their carved limestone formations. Then you can be led by boat down into a grotto where hundreds of glowworms illuminate the cave and give a remarkable, shimmering display.
Where to go next

Experiences nearby

All distances are direct distances.
How to get there

Getting there & away

ZQN
Queenstown (ZQN) in Queenstown is located about 281 km and 3:29 hrs away if you take a car, taxi or minibus.
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