Milford Sound Lookout — Attraction in Fiordland Community

The heavy rainfall and surrounding rainforest create a unique effect in Milford Sound – the top layer of water is fresh water, while the rest is salt water from the Tasman Sea.

There is a terminal moraine deposit or ‘sill’ at the mouth of Milford Sound, leaving the floor of the fiord just 27m deep at this point (compared with over 300m deep on either side). This sill forms a barrier which stops big ocean swells from coming in, keeping the waters inside relatively calm. You will not get sea sick from heavy ocean swells from your boat ride.

When the glaciers melted, vast quantities of rocky debris were left at the entrance of each fiord. These mounds formed a partial barrier when the sea level rose 6,500 years ago, and today they restrict the flow of sea water in and out of the fiords. Within each fiord, the circulation of water is confined to the top 20–40 metres; deeper waters may remain...

What to know before you go to Milford Sound? after rain = waterfalls everywhere to the boat ride: take water, raincoat, snack, and always something to change clothes to you backpack. there are not big differences between boat companies, everything looks great, just decide if you want bigger or smaller boat (for me smaller is better- you are not stuck with people on board and have your space for taking photos) sandflies everywhere! Repellent and long sleeves are must have there is free parking just 15minutes walking from harbour, look to the map- parking left...

One of the MUST of New Zealand, specailly if you are a lover of The Lord of the Rings. You can miss that place, specially the road that takes to the Fjord from Queenstown. What an amazing trip and views. There is plenty to do there like hikings and boat excursions that take you to the very entrance of the Fjord while you enjoy the sailing and animals on the rocks. Savage enviroment for such astonishing natural place. Keep an eye when the boat approaches you to the waterfall. It will...