Milford Sound

By wanderlust

Edit this page

Milford Sound is a picturesque fjord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island. It has been acclaimed as the world's top travel destination in the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards and called the eighth Wonder of the World by no less than writer Rudyard Kipling.

Lying within Fiordland National Park (which should be familiar to “Lord of the Rings” fans) and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site, Milford Sound runs 15 kms. inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) or more on either side.

Breathtaking natural scenery surrounds the area. Lush rain forests grow on the towering cliffs while seals, penguins, and dolphins frequent its serene waters.

Points of interest:
Peaks – Among its majestic mountains are the snow-capped Pembroke Glacier, The Elephant that resembles an elephant's head, Lion Mountain in the shape of a crouching lion, and the iconic Mitre Peak named after the mitre headwear of Christian bishops.

Waterfalls– Stirling and Bowen are among the thundering falls that cascade hundreds of meters to the sea below.

Sinbad Gully– Classic example of a hanging valley.

Milford Deep Underwater Observatory– Descend 10.4 meters (equivalent to a four-storied building) below the Sound’s surface to view its rich marine ecosystem: rare black and red coral, starfish, anemones, and all sorts of fish.


Getting There
Milford Sound takes approximately 4 hours drive by car or coach from Queenstown and 2 to 2 1/2 hours from
 Te Anau (gateway to the Fiordland).

Getting Around
Several boat tours depart from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. You can choose from either 1 1/2 to 2 hour scenic cruises to overnight packages, with some of them including transportation from Queenstown. Prices range from US$45 up to US$590 per head.

There are also scenic flights by light aircraft and helicopters to and from Milford Sound Airport.

You can also go on foot via the Milford Track.




Edit this page