Milford Sound — Attraction in Southland

This is the best spot to visit in the world! If you love seclusion and nature at her finest ♥️ you will love Milford sounds! We stayed in Queenstown (jackpoint) and booked our boat trip on a Monday through Viator (really great activity bookingapp) allow 4 hours to get to Milford pending weather and time of the year you go. We went March, so we knew it would be perfect weather to get to Milford as the roads sometimes are closed. I purposely booked our boat trip for 11.10am to allow enough time to arrive. Have a quick bite to eat and drink pay for parking and go bathroom. There are internal toilets inside the information centre and also toilets outside by car parking. I would also recommend a full tank of gas as Te Anau is a long way, and even though there is a self-serve gas station, it is unmanned and can only be paid via card. Parking costs us $15 for three hours, and there is a track to walking to boats or a bus that continually takes customers to and from boat ramps to the information centre. This place is total isolation at its finest, so no shops, just accommodation airport, a few boat homes and information centre. The information centre has a cafe and large dining area, I would recommend the Milford burger and Macadamian biscuits Yum. Disappointed with merchandise as there wasn't much and feel as there is nowhere else they could capitalise on this as a lot of people looked at the few shelves but there wasn't much choice. the wahine in the front desk is amazing, helpful, and patient, which is what's needed when dealing with a lot of different confused international visitors The bus driver is hilarious and so funny, and once we arrived at the boat port. Was amazed with how many boat organisers were there. We were on the smaller boat liners. Mitre Milford who I highly recommend! Staff were so helpful and caring, it's comfortable, and there is free tea and coffee on board, the information they share during the cruise is great. The boat has opened topdeck, and the back end is open but I found the best spot was the sides as they were covered and meant you didn't get wet. We went in perfect Milford weather Raining, so there were 100s of waterfalls, and also witnessed backwards waterfalls. Our boat also backed up towards the waterfalls, which was the best 👌 This was a 2 hour tour and worth every minute. I would also recommend stopping at a few spits along the way to or from Milford as the views and scenery are breathtaking and photos do not do this place justice! So glad I...

Arriving at Milford Sound by small plane is like being transported into a scene from "Lord of the Rings", only this time, you're flying over an actual Middle-earth. Nestled within New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a dramatic landscape that casts a spell over all who visit. The region, encompassed within 1.2 million hectares of UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park, is a true natural wonder.

Imagine soaring above towering peaks and waterfalls that cascade into the fjord, with luxuriant rainforests clinging to sheer rock faces. This scene is not just breathtaking; it's downright cinematic. The iconic Mitre Peak, rising straight out from the sea, might as well be the backdrop for a fantasy epic, and the entire landscape feels like a set designed by nature's finest artists.

The lush rainforests surrounding Milford Sound are vital for wildlife conservation, providing habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including native birds like the Fiordland crested penguin and marine mammals such as seals and dolphins These rainforests are crucial for the survival of these species, offering protection and food sources.

Exploring Milford Sound by land offers equally enchanting experiences, with a range of hikes and walks like the Lake Marian Track and The Chasm Walk. These trails take you through enchanting beech forests, past roaring waterfalls, and offer views of snow-capped peaks reflecting in emerald-colored waters.

Milford Sound's weather is a defining characteristic, receiving significant rainfall which enhances its waterfalls and contributes to the lushness of its rainforests. Despite its reputation as the wettest inhabited place on the planet, the area comes alive on rainy days, adding to its mystical allure.

In short, visiting Milford Sound, especially arriving by small plane, is like stepping into a fantasy world - a place where nature's grandeur is on full display, reminding us that reality can sometimes be just as...

Milford Sound—an absolute bucket list experience! My husband and I had the privilege of sailing through this breathtaking fjord as the first stop on our New Zealand cruise, and let me tell you, it was worth every second of lost sleep to wake up for the view.

First, let’s talk about the sheer logistics—the fact that a massive cruise ship can not only fit in here but also has the depth to navigate and turn around unassisted is mind-blowing. But as impressive as that is, nothing compares to the natural wonder of Milford Sound itself.

We were lucky enough to experience it on a crystal-clear day, and the views were just surreal—towering cliffs, glassy waters, and untouched wilderness as far as the eye could see. Standing on the deck, watching the world slowly unfold around us, was pure magic. Meanwhile, my husband, ever the man of luxury, soaked in the scenery from the spa on the top deck—because why not take in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes in style?

Our time here was brief but unforgettable. Milford Sound is one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. If you ever get the chance to visit—do not...