In a nutshell
- Milford Sound is a stunning fjord in the south of New Zealand and one of the most beautiful places to visit in New Zealand — it’s right at the top of our list.
- The best way to explore Milford Sound is on a boat cruise. From Queenstown, there are plenty of guided Milford Sound tours available, with bus transfer and cruise included.
- Prefer to drive yourself? Head to the harbor and book the Milford Sound boat tour without transfer. For something even more spectacular, the scenic flight option is seriously worth it.
- You can stay right at the fjord at the Milford Sound Lodge. Otherwise, Te Anau and Queenstown are the best bases for an overnight stay.
What Is Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is actually a fjord, not a sound. What’s the difference?
A fjord is an inlet that extends from the sea into the interior and was carved out by glaciers. A sound describes nearly the same thing, except that it was formed by rivers.
Since Milford Sound was shaped by glaciers, it should technically be called Milford Fjord.
But the early European settlers called this natural wonder Milford Sound, and the name stuck.
You can only truly experience the beauty of Milford Sound from a boat — that’s the best way to take in the countless waterfalls and towering peaks from the water.
Where Is Milford Sound Located?
Milford Sound is located in the south of New Zealand’s South Island. As the crow flies, it’s only about 80 kilometers from Queenstown.
But since high mountain ranges lie between the two, the driving distance is just under 290 kilometers — there’s only one road to Milford Sound. Count on about four hours behind the wheel.
The nearest town is Te Anau. From there it’s about 120 kilometers (two hours).
How Do You Get to Milford Sound?
You have a few options for getting to Milford Sound:
- Guided day tour from Queenstown or Te Anau
- On your own by car
- By plane
Whichever option you go with, you should definitely do a Milford Sound cruise. It’s always included with the guided tours.
Guided Day Tours to Milford Sound
Most day tours to Milford Sound depart from Queenstown and follow a similar itinerary. You leave by bus in the morning, with a few bathroom breaks and photo stops along the way.
Around 1 PM, you’ll do a two-hour boat cruise on the fjord, then head straight back to Queenstown. You can also add a scenic flight for the return journey.
Book a guided Milford Sound tour from Queenstown
Book the Milford Sound boat tour with scenic flight
You can also book guided tours from Te Anau. You’ll join the same bus as from Queenstown, just picked up two hours later and dropped off earlier — and the tours are a bit cheaper.
This is a great option if you’ve booked one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, like the Kepler Track, Milford Track, or Routeburn Track, since you’ll already be based in Te Anau.
Book a guided Milford Sound tour from Te Anau
Most tours let you add on lunch — but we’d skip it. You eat on the boat, and that time is much better spent soaking in the scenery. Pack some snacks instead.
Alternatives to the classic day tour include overnight cruises or tours with a scenic flight.
Milford Sound overnight cruise
Milford Sound boat tour with scenic flight from Queenstown
Which operator is the best?
There are many operators out there, and honestly they all offer pretty much the same tour — no major differences between them. We were recommended Real NZ, so that’s who we went with. We were really happy with them, which is why we’ve linked to Real NZ tours throughout this article.
Getting to Milford Sound on Your Own
If you’re doing a road trip around New Zealand, you can easily drive to Milford Sound harbor yourself and book the boat tour separately.
Our tip: Book a morning or late-morning Milford Sound cruise. At that time of day, there are fewer boats out on the water.
Milford Sound boat tour on a small boat
The road to Milford Sound is in excellent condition, and there are plenty of great spots to pull over for photos. Leave a little extra time for the drive — the pure driving time from Te Anau is just under two hours.
Parking at the harbor is paid, but there are plenty of spaces available.
Getting to Milford Sound by Plane
You can also fly to Milford Sound. It’s significantly faster than going by bus, and you get to see the fjord from above as well — which is seriously spectacular.
The downside: flights cost even more than the already-pricey boat tours.
Milford Sound boat tour with scenic flight from Queenstown
Our Experience at Milford Sound
We booked the guided day tour to Milford Sound from Te Anau with Real NZ. Since we’d already hiked the Kepler Track, Te Anau was the obvious starting point for us.
We set off around 10 AM, and when we boarded the bus we were handed our boarding passes for the boat.
Our bus driver was super friendly and shared loads of interesting facts about Milford Sound throughout the drive. We made two photo stops and plenty of breaks along the way.
Honestly, the bus ride alone was a real highlight — the scenery along the highway is absolutely stunning.
We arrived at the harbor at quarter to one — plenty of time for a last bathroom stop before the boat, the Milford Haven, departed at 1 PM.
When we tried to board five minutes before departure, the doors were already closed and the boat left without us.
After a brief moment of panic, the Real NZ staff directed us to another boat, The Mariner. It departed a few minutes later and took the exact same route as the Milford Haven — so no harm done.
On the boats, you can spend time both inside and out on deck.
Make sure you pack warm and windproof clothing — it’s usually cold and sometimes stormy out on deck. Don’t forget rain gear either, because rain is very likely.
We stayed outside the whole time, because the scenery is simply too beautiful to miss from inside the boat. The Milford Sound experience is genuinely one of the most beautiful in the world. We got lucky with a sunny day, though.
On board there’s live commentary in English, so you’ll learn about the landscape and its legends as you go.
We sailed all the way out to the open sea, and on the way back we stopped close to a waterfall — seriously impressive up close.
We were back at 3 PM sharp and headed straight to the bus.
The return drive had no more stops, and the bus driver was quiet — which was totally fine. We were back in Te Anau by 5 PM.
Where to Stay at Milford Sound?
Accommodation options at Milford Sound are pretty limited. The only real choices right on the fjord are the overnight cruises and the Milford Sound Lodge.
The Milford Sound Lodge is about two kilometers from the harbor. You can either camp here or stay in chalets.
Camping is only available for campervans — tent camping is not allowed.
Camping at Milford Sound
Along the main road to Milford Sound there are a number of campgrounds, though you won’t find any hotels here. Most are very basic.
Just search for “Camping” in Google Maps and you’ll get an overview of the various sites.
The only proper campground with cabins is the Eglinton Valley Camp — though it’s fairly pricey.
Staying in Te Anau and Queenstown
If you don’t want to camp or pay the high prices at the Milford Sound Lodge, your best bet is to base yourself in Queenstown or Te Anau and do a day trip from there.
Our hotel recommendations for Queenstown
Our hotel recommendations for Te Anau
Milford Track
Beyond the boat tours and scenic flights, there aren’t many other ways to explore Milford Sound itself — but the surrounding area is fantastic for hiking.
The most popular hike is the Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. It covers 60 kilometers and requires three overnight stays in huts. Tent camping is not permitted.
Hut spots typically sell out within minutes, so you’ll need to book as soon as the platform opens. For the main season of November through April, bookings usually open in June.
Our tip: Check the Department of Conservation website regularly to find out when bookings open.
Alternatives to the Milford Track
About half an hour before you reach Milford Sound, you’ll pass the start of the Routeburn Track — also one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, covering 34 kilometers in total. Most people spend one or two nights in a hut along the way.
If you haven’t booked a hut, you can also just hike a section of the track as a day walk.
Another nearby Great Walk is the Kepler Track, starting in Te Anau and taking three to four days. It’s easier to score hut spots here than on the Milford Track — but you still need to book early!
Frequently Asked Questions About Milford Sound
How much do Milford Sound boat tours cost?
They’re not cheap. Budget at least 70 euros for a boat tour. Tours departing from Queenstown start at around 100 euros.
Prices vary depending on the season, the boat, and the day of the week.
Weekends and December through March are the most expensive. In the off-season, you can often find discounts.
What is the weather like at Milford Sound?
Very unpredictable.
In general, it rains a lot at Milford Sound and it can get seriously windy.
We recommend checking the weather forecast for Milford Sound a few days before your visit — that way you can try to book your Milford Sound cruise on the day that looks most promising.
That said, don’t rely on the forecast too heavily — the weather can change completely from one minute to the next.
Can you fly from Te Anau to Milford Sound?
Yes! Several operators in Te Anau offer scenic flights over Milford Sound.
Book the Milford Sound boat tour with scenic flight from Queenstown
Can you drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound?
Absolutely. If you’re heading to Milford Sound, you’ll pass through Te Anau no matter what — there’s only one road that goes there.
Which is better, Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound?
That’s a matter of personal taste.
We didn’t visit Doubtful Sound, since we consider Milford Sound to be the more impressive of the two.
Doubtful Sound tends to appeal more to those looking to escape the tourist crowds.
Is it worth staying overnight at Milford Sound?
Yes, if you can afford it.
Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. Spending the night — at the Milford Sound Lodge or on an overnight cruise — is a genuinely unique experience.
Just be prepared: it’s definitely not cheap.
What makes Milford Sound so special?
The landscape is simply indescribably beautiful — towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and glassy water that you have to see to believe.
How often is the Milford Sound Road closed?
It’s hard to say exactly.
The road gets closed when it’s damaged by avalanches, landslides, or other natural events, or when construction is underway.
This can happen at any time of year — check here for current road conditions before your trip.
How long do you need at Milford Sound?
Most boat tours last about two hours, and you don’t need to plan for much more time than that at Milford Sound itself.
For the drive from Te Anau, allow at least three hours so you have time to stop at the great viewpoints along the way.
