Contrary to its prominent name, Milford Sound is actually one of New Zealand's South Island fiords, not a sound! Sounds are formed from overflows of river valleys, whereas Milford was formed by the erosion of glaciers overtime - making it a fiord. A remarkable one at that.
Milford Sound is about a 10 mile long inlet of the Tasman Sea, accessible through Fiordland National Park in the Southland region of New Zealand. Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site Te Wahipounamu, Milford Sound is recognized for its standout landscapes, biodiversity, geodiversity, and endangered fauna.
The average cruise through Milford runs between 2 - 3 hours for a trip out to the open ocean and back, with several tour agencies to choose from (Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Go Orange, Great Sights, Cruise Milford, Mitre Peak Cruises, and more). All day cruises provide great views of the fiord, so you really can't go wrong. This post features photos taken from a Go Orange day cruise, but highlights key sights shown on all tours:
Lady Bowen Falls
One of the most photographed spots in the fiord, Lady Bowen Falls is the highest waterfall in Milford Sound at about 530 feet high. While many of the smaller streaking waterfalls often enjoyed in Milford are the result of the heavy rainfall seen in the region throughout the year, Lady Bowen is one of the permanent waterfalls in the fiord, fed by the Bowen River instead of runoff. So regardless of if you visit during one of the 182 rainy days Milford gets rain per year, or if you luck out with some sunshine, you will get to marvel at Lady Bowen either way!
Lady Bowen Falls is also known colloquially as the Milford Sound Waterfall!
Harrison Cove & Mount Pembroke
Harrison cove is a peaceful, sheltered bay in the fiord that provides a clear view of Mount Pembroke in its center. Though not part of the standard day cruises, you can also sign up for a stop at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory through Southern Discoveries' tour to take a trip 10 meters under the water's surface and explore the surrounding coral & fish.
If you prefer a more active excursion, you are also able to sign up to kayak through the cove on your cruise through the same agency.
Seal Rock
"Seal rock," so named for its frequent inhabitants that like to snooze on its base, is one of the only accessible landings for the local fur seals to climb up onto in the fiord. A drive-by of the rock on your cruise is one of the best ways to get a look at this threatened species up close in a natural setting. Fur seals will spend up to two days peacefully basking in the sunlight in between their adventures hunting for food in the water.
Fur seals sleeping on Seal Rock in Milford Sound. Best Milford Cruise stops.
Sinbad Gully & Mitre Peak
The Sinbad Gully within Milford Sound is located behind the famous Mitre Peak, pictured below. The steep cliffs surrounding the area form prime examples of the stark & stunning landscapes that the fiord is so well known for. The gully is also home to many local species, including the rare Sinbad skink - one of the most rare lizards in the world.
Photo of Mitre Peak in Milford Sound New Zealand.
Stirling Falls
Stirling Falls is another one of Milford Sound's permanent waterfalls. Clocking in at just under 500 feet tall, Stirling is the second highest waterfall in the fiord. Cruise ships will often get so close to the waterfall that a good portion of the boat falls within its "splash zone." Rumor has it that, much like the elusive fountain of youth, a dip in Stirling's water will make you look ten years younger!
Boat cruise under Stirling Falls in Milford Sound.
With so few accommodation options in Milford Sound, the cruise through the fiord itself is often only half of the day's fun. Most visitors see the fiord as part of a day-trip from either Te Anau or Queenstown, though the drive from the latter is an additional two hours each way.
The basic full itinerary of most day-trips from either location includes a bus tour and a cruise featuring all of the Milford Sound sights listed above. Each bus tour is run by a knowledgeable host who will teach you about the surrounding land and its history as you make your way to the Sound. You will also get to disembark several times throughout your route for short walks or photo-ops. Though they may vary slightly by agency, the pit stops should be similar for all tours from each city. The remainder of this post features some common stops along the drive to Milford Sound from Te Anau:
Mirror Lakes
One of the most popular stops along the drive down Milford Road is Mirror Lakes. This stop offers the opportunity to take a short, flat walk to a small lake off of the side of the road that is so still that it provides a near "mirror" reflection of its surroundings, including the nearby Earl Mountains.
The best stops from Te Anau to Milford Sound, including Mirror Lakes.
The Chasm
Another quick & flat walk to stretch your legs, the path to the Chasm will take you over two small bridges so that you can walk over a small waterfall from the forceful (and loud!) Cleddau River that runs through the forest.
Walks off of Milford Road on your way to Milford Sound: the Chasm.
Eglinton Valley
This scenic stop on your tour is a wide open valley covered in gold tussock grass with a panoramic view of the Eglinton Mountains. Surrounded by beech forests, the valley is home to a wide variety of endangered wildlife and vegetation.
Lake Gunn
The Lake Gunn Nature Walk is a short and flat loop trail through a red beech forest off of Milford Road. The sign estimates 45 minutes to complete the loop, but the total distance is only 0.9 miles so you will likely be able to complete it more quickly. At the start of the loop, you can cut through some trees to a small shoreline of Lake Gunn beneath a mountain view.
Hollyford Valley Lookout
A serene view, the Hollyford Valley Lookout is only accessible by Milford Road and peers out over the Hollyford River cutting through another beech forest. Depending on the recent rainfall at the time of your trip, this lookout also provides a relatively close view of some streaking waterfalls streaming over the nearby mountains.
The best things to do on the way from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
Long story short, a day trip to Milford Sound is a day of endless sightseeing. With as much as is included in this post, it still doesn't nearly capture all you'll get to see on your trip! Let us know in the comments what your favorite spot was, and please share anything we missed!
Check out our Queenstown, Catlins, and Rotorua travel guides to complete your kiwi adventure in New Zealand!
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