The grandeur of Milford Sound, once described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world'.

Milford Sound is a fiord, carved by a glacier and is in Fiordland National Park, probably the most scenic area in New Zealand. Here there are 14 fiords surrounded by extremely steep mountainous terrain covered in lush rain forest in the lowlands and and beech forests at the higher altitudes. Fiordland has some impressive waterfalls, and on a rainy day it is possible to see hundreds of waterfalls side by side.

Bowen and Stirling Falls hurtle down from towering cliffs and are truly spectacular after rain. Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins are resident in the fiord and can be viewed up close from launch cruises or kayak trips.

Milford Sound's Record Breaking

• Milford Sound is in New Zealand's largest national park, Fiordland National Park.
• Milford is the only fiord that can be reached by road in the park.
• Fiordland is also one of the biggest National Parks in the world.
• Even to this day, some areas in this park have never been sighted by man.
• The Park is protected by the United Nations with a World Heritage listing and is comparable in grandeur to other World Heritage listings such as the Grand Canyon, and the Amazon Rainforest.

Local Knowledge

• Probably a good idea to bring some food, as there are very few eating establishments in Milford Sound.
• Milford has "water-falls", but it also has "water-RISES", as the wind whips the water back up before it can reach the ground.
• The only reason walkers can do the Milford Track is because helicopters bring in supplies for the lodges and carry out waste, etc - so the noise should not be complained about!

Getting Around

Possibly the nicest way to get to Milford Sound is to take a sightseeing tour from Queenstown or Te Anau. Relaxing Journeys offer many such tours. The road to Milford sound travels through a fragile environment and a great deal of continual work with heavy machinery has to be undertaken to keep it open. During the winter months even the mountain sides have to be bombed in order to keep it the road safe from avalanches.

The most spectacular way to see and experience every thing Milford Sound has to offer is to fly in on a beautiful day. The flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown, Te Anau or Wanaka is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest scenic flights. With unsurpassed views of the mountains and glaciers on route.

Regions Accessible From Milford Sound

• Doubtful Sound
• Wanaka
• Queenstown
• Te Anau
• Stewart Island (New Zealand's third largest island)

Best Views

The most famous view is that of Mitre Peak which everyone can see. Views are afforded all the way into the Sound and on many of the walking tracks around.

Best Months

Milford Sound is accessible all year round, but summer is a more pleasant time to experience it.

Clothing

Bring bug repellant. The sand flies here are evil. Wear rainwear and carry an umbrella to protect photographic equipment.

Shopping

There is very very little 'shopping' in Milford - just a few merchandise items - e.g. post cards, books, posters, etc. A small grocery shop at Milford Sound Lodge sells many of the basics.

Other Facts

Telephone Area Code: 03
Population: 500 (2007)
Summer Average Maximum Temperature: 25°
Winter Average Maximum Temperature: 15°
Local emergency contact number for all Police, Fire and St John Ambulances: 111

Activities

Day Tours in Milford Sound

Milford Sound can offer the visitor some great holiday experiences as outlined below:

	Cruises There are several boat operators who offer day cruises. Most guided tours from Te Anau or Queenstown arrive in Milford around noon, so it is advisable to escape the crowds by going on an early-morning or late-afternoon cruise. If you intend to take photographs, the quality of light is usually better around those times as well. Many of our coach tours include the following cruises: Milford Sovereign, Milford Encounter, Milford Mariner, Milford Nature Cruise, Milford Red Boat. Book with us.
	Kayaking Close contact to the water in such a landscape makes one feel so small and the Sound seem even more vast! Go places that the big cruise ships cannot, you see a great deal more wildlife (penguins, seals etc.) It is quite hard work and you should be prepared to get cold and wet.
	Milford Sound by Sea and Air Discover Milford Sound by Sea and Air, leaving from Queenstown. For your return journey to Queenstown, board a twin engine aircraft, the scenery will take your breath away. Book with us.

Things to do in Milford Sound

This list will assist you in accessing all the natural and man-made visitor attractions and activities that Milford Sound has to offer.

	Milford Track Perhaps the best and most traditional way to get to Milford Sound is to walk the Milford Track. Bookings are essential for this popular 5 day walk.
	The 39km Routeburn Track 39km that starts from the divide between the eastern and western sides of the Southern Alps and ends three-four days later in the beech forests about 80 km from Queenstown. Dramatic alpine views, lakes and changing forest types can be experienced over the summer season as you walk independently or take a guide.
	The 80km Hollyford Track This leads the walker from the sheer rock walls of the Darren Mountains down to the sand dunes of the Tasman Sea at Martins Bay. Both independent and guided walks are available on this track, while the Kepler Track at Lake Te Anau (67km) and Dusky Track (90km at Dusky Sound, Fiordland’s largest and most extensive fiord) are for independent walkers only.

Activities Outside Milford Sound

Milford Sound can be used as a base to explore the south of the south island.

Doubtful Sound Doubtful Sound located in a World Heritage Area, is an overwhelming place. You can feel the power of nature here - the remoteness, the wildness and the peace. Known for its wilderness and wildlife, Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the 14 fiords in Fiordland National Park and it is three times longer and 10 times larger than Milford Sound. In Maori legend, the godly figure Tu Te Raki Whanoa created this incredibly beautiful fiord with the assistance of four young sea gods who carved out its sheltered arms. Today Doubtful Sound remains an unspoiled wilderness of many moods; one minute clear blue and sun-drenched, the next mysterious and mist-cloaked. Doubtful Sound Cruises can also be overnight.

Lake Manapouri Twenty minutes from Te Anau is picturesque Lake Manapouri, a beautiful lake framed by the spectacular Cathedral Mountains. Pearl Harbour, adjacent to Manapouri township, is the gateway to the variety of excursions undertaken on Lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound. Launch trips on Doubtful Sound begin with a launch trip across Lake Manapouri to West Arm, a visit to the West Arm underground power station, and a bus trip over the majestic Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove.

Coach Tours Which Include Milford Sound

The following fully escorted coach tours are our top 3 which include Milford Sound.

Ultimate Southern Highlights For a refreshing change this 13 day South Island tour includes the famous Greenstone Valley 3 day trek or around 32 km of awe inspiring scenery on foot. The reward at the finish is overnight on the famous Milford Mariner cruise ship as it navigates to hidden reaches of Fiordland. Relax on the famous TranzAlpine Train through Arthur's Pass from Christchurch to the famous Fox Glacier, a most accessible glacier, in a stunning position by the sea. At Wanaka you can walk along the River to a beautiful picnic spot. Soak up the alpine atmosphere with a Scottish Haggis Ceremony in Dunedin, and then view the unusual, rounded boulders at Moeraki Beach. Coach past the tallest Mt Cook, as your guide continues to entertain you.

Best of New Zealand Fully escorted coach touring to see New Zealand's many seasons from cruising the rugged rocky coastline, Bay of Islands beaches, Maori native culture, glow-worm caves, Rotorua's geysers & hot mud pools, NZ's capital city, Interislander Cruise, fur seals & optional whale watching flight, touring past NZ's highest mountain, alpine scenic lakes, ski capital Queenstown, a tour of an historic castle, cruising on Fiordland past waterfalls & rock seals in Milford Sound, staying near icy glaciers and garden city Christchurch- all in 17 days.

Scenic Explorer Tour Comments like 'What a comprehensive tour' are used to describe this 2 week Christchurch to Auckland, guided coach tour with train trips on the TranzAlpine & TranzCoastal trains. All the best activities are included- City tours of Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound & Auckland, food like the Rotorua Maori Hangi & concert, the Scottish Haggis, the Queenstown cruise/ historic homestead dinner and the Montana Winery visit. Cruise on Milford Sound, the Interislander and underground boat to see the glow-worms. There is a visit to Rotorua's Thermal Reserve, sheep shearing demo, Maori culture show, trip up Auckland's Sky Tower and a Jade Stone Factory. Regions include the Milford Sound, Huka Falls and Mt Cook.

Films Made in this Region

The following films were made in the Milford Sound area: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 2002, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001.

Eating & Sleeping

Cuisine

There is only one place to eat and drink in Milford Sound if you did not bring food in with you, and it is the Blue Duck Cafe & Bar. The cafe offers breakfast and lunch, while dinner is found at the bar.

Accommodation - Overnight Cruises

There is no accommodation in Milford Sound however the following tours have overnight stays on a cruise boat:

• All New Zealand Ultimate
• Ultimate Southern Highlights
• Ultimate South Island
• Ultimate New Zealand