Milford Sound in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is one of the most stunningly beautiful places on the planet. If you’re planning on heading there, this article will show you how to make the perfect Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown.
When most people think of fjords they think of Norway. And rightfully so, the fjords of Norway are magical. But on the opposite side of the planet lies another region of fjords, maybe even more spectacular than the home of the Vikings.
Fiordland National Park in southern New Zealand is home to the majestic Milford Sound, as well as dozens of other beautiful fjords. I went five times in the two years I lived in Wellington. That’s how amazing it is!
If you’re visiting the South Island of New Zealand it’s practically illegal to not go to Milford Sound. Almost everyone visits as a day trip from Queenstown. So read on to get planning that Milford Sound day trip!
Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent World Nomads, GetYourGuide, Booking.com, or discovercars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.
Milford Sound Day Trip – What You Need to Know
What is Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is a fjord, meaning it’s an inlet off the sea characterized by deep water and steep mountains. The jagged mountains here come right out of the sea and tower over the water below.
Miford Sound is characterized by its jaw-dropping natural scenery and lack of human development. Other than the visitor’s center where the tour boats dock, there is not much else there. It’s a true natural wonder.
Where is Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is located at the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s at the northern edge of Fiordland National Park, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular national parks.
The fjord is not too far from Queenstown as the crow flies, but the drive is roundabout and takes 3-4 hours, depending on how much you want to test the 100 kmh speed limit (pro tip: don’t speed in New Zealand).
The nearest town is Te Anau, about an hour and 30 minutes south. Milford Sound is really in the middle of nowhere, which helps it preserve its unique natural surroundings.
I suggest visiting Milford Sound as day trip from Queenstown on a longer New Zealand Road trip. Need some road trip ideas? Then be sure to check out my epic New Zealand road trips:
How to get to Milford Sound
There are a couple different ways to get To Milford Sound, and those ways are almost exclusively by road. There is an airstrip at Milford Sound, but it’s not for commercial travel. The way to get there by air is to take a sightseeing flight from Queenstown.
These sightseeing flight tours fly you from Queenstown to Milford Sound over the Majestic Fiordland National Park. The flight takes about 40 minutes round trip and includes the standard 2-hour fjord cruise that almost everyone takes when they visit. In total it takes about 5 hours, which makes it an option if you don’t want a quicker visit to Milford Sound, skipping the road trip.
The tour usually runs over $500 NZD per person. Check the latest prices on GetYourGuide here.
It’s also possible to take a full-day bus trip from Queenstown. This option is much cheaper than the scenic flight, and there are many more providers of this tour. One such example is this organized bus tour on GetYourGuide. Check the link for current prices.
Lastly, there’s the old fashioned way of driving yourself. I’ve been to Milford Sound on 5 separate occasions and I’ve driven myself each time. Renting a car gives you freedom that an organized tour can’t offer. Daily rental car rates from Queenstown are not cheap, but if you ask me, it’s worth it.
For booking rental cars in New Zealand we use DiscoverCars. You can find a great deal on a car rental from Queenstown here.
Once you get down there you’ll find a large, free parking area. I’ve never had an issue finding a spot, but I always try to arrive before the bus tours get there. The buses usually start arriving around 11 AM. If you’re out of Queenstown by 7:30, you should beat them.
Weather and when to visit
Milford Sound and rain go together like spaghetti and meatballs. It rains about 200 days per year here. That doesn’t mean there are 200 overcast days, it just means that at some point it rains on most days. The mountains make such extreme weather that it’s common to have pouring rain and sunny, clear skies all within the timeframe of your 2-hour fjord cruise.
Rain is common year round as well. There is no wet and dry season. No matter when you are visiting, bring a rain jacket and prepare for rain. Of the five times I’ve been I have only seen clear skies once. At the same time, only once was it totally overcast. When it rains, you get treated to hundreds of waterfalls down the mountains, so at least there’s that.
Temperatures at Milford Sound are pretty bipolar as well. It never gets hot, but doesn’t often drop below freezing. Average summer highs are around 72 degrees (22 C) and winter highs are around 48 degrees (9 C). But then, it could easily be 48 on a summer day and be 80 the next. It’s also SUPER windy on the boats.
So the moral of the story is that you have to come prepared for all types of weather when visiting Milford Sound. A warm rain jacket is an absolute must. Your umbrella won’t serve much purpose in blistering wind, so just don’t forget that rain jacket.
While Milford Sound is a year-round destination, summer will give you longer days, with sunsets well after 9:00 PM and a slightly better chance for clear skies. Remember that in the Southern Hemisphere summer is Dec-Feb, which is the most popular time to visit.
Due to the nature of visiting Milford Sound (the fact that you take a pre-arranged boat cruise), going in peak season doesn’t really mean dealing with extra crowds. So long as you book your fjord cruise in advance, you’ll be fine. The boat will be filled to capacity no matter what season it is.
So in conclusion, summer is the best time to visit Milford Sound.
How long to spend at Milford Sound
You should plan one long day for your Milford Sound day trip, including the 3.5 hour journey each way. The standard fjord cruise is 1.5-2 hours, and you’ll want some other time to relax and enjoy the views.
There are no hiking trails at the fjord as the entire area is protected, so there is actually not that much to do there once you’re off the boat other than just enjoy the views and have a picnic. There are numerous viewpoints and hikes along the road to Milford Sound, however, should you wish to add a little hiking to your day trip.
There are a few accommodations in and around Milford Sound for those who wish to spend a quiet night at the fjord. This gives you the opportunity to see sunrise or sunset at Milford Sound, which can be magical. See below for accommodations at Milford Sound
Where to stay
If you wish to forgo the day trip to Milford Sound and turn it into a nice, relaxing getaway, I’m afraid your options for accommodations in the national park are extremely limited. There are only two lodges in the area, and one of them – the Mitre Peak Lodge – is only available as part of the 4-day Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks”. This means you cannot book it independently to stay at. It’s only available for Milford Track hikers.
That leaves the Milford Sound Lodge as your only option. The lodge requires a two-night minimum stay and runs over $500 NZD per night (often much more than that). It books out well in advance so you have to reserve it probably before you buy your flights to New Zealand.
They also offer campervan parking spots, though again, they book our well in advance. So if you want to spend a night in the park, you better plan well in advance and be prepared to spend a pretty penny.
As a day trip from Queenstown you’ll have many more options though. Queenstown is catered to tourists, so there are a ton of hotels, guesthouses, and private apartments for rent. Just be aware that everything in Queenstown is super overpriced. Even beds in shared hostel dorms run at least $70 NZD per night. Check out some recommendations below.
Where to stay in Queenstown
The Dairy Private Hotel by Naumi Hotels
Lomond Lodge Motel & Apartments
Budget backpacker option: Adventure Queenstown Hostel
Food at Milford Sound
There are not a whole lot of food options at Milford Sound. You will want to plan ahead to bring your own food. There is a fine dining restaurant at the Milford Sound Lodge. But other than that your only option is the small cafe at the Discover Milford Sound Cruises Information Centre that is open for breakfast and lunch.
There are no supermarkets and no stores beyond the gift shops. They have specifically kept it this way to preserve the natural beauty of the area. The only other place to get food is on the fjord cruise itself. The boats have basic cafes that serve food (not included in your ticket price).
Travel insurance
For a trip like Milford Sound, it’s advised to have travel insurance in case of unexpected circumstances or illness. We use World Nomads when we travel internationally. Word Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries. You can search for a coverage plan using the link below.
How to Book a Milford Sound Cruise
Before you arrive at Milford Sound, you need to make sure to pre-book your fjord cruise. While there is no requirement to go on the cruise, it’s the main activity at Milford Sound and going all that way and not cruising down the fjord to the Tasman Sea would be a damn shame.
That being said, just seeing Milford Sound from the shore is worth the drive. It’s that beautiful. There are no hiking trails and you can’t wander very far, but you can get a few different views of the mountains from along the coast. You’ve come all this way, though, so why not pay a little extra for the cruise?
It’s possible to show up and book a cruise on site. I advise against this, however. Milford Sound is becoming more and more popular every year, and the cruises fill up. You don’t want to get all the way there and not be able to get on a boat!
Choosing a cruise operator
There are numerous companies that offer a 90 minute or two hour basic fjord cruise. If you book an organized tour from Queenstown your cruise will be included, so you won’t have to worry about this. If you’re driving yourself, however, you’ll need to choose your own provider.
All the cruise companies offer the same basic cruise at a similar price (about $120-150 NZD). There is really no inherent difference between the numerous operators.
What I’d recommend is to check them all out online and go with whoever is having a sale. If no one is having a sale, just go with whoever has the cheapest rate you find. You’re paying for the boat ride, not customer service.
Most of the time I booked Jucy Cruises, which is now part of Pure Milford because it had the best rates. A couple other good operators are Southern Discoveries and Mitre Peak Cruises. Booking online usually also gives a slight discount over booking in person or over the phone.
The Milford Sound Cruise
The cruise itself is not really a cruise, but more of just a leisurely boat ride along the fjord out to the Tasman Sea. It’s not really a tour either, as there is no guide giving out information other than the captain announcing over the intercom where you’re going and how long it will take. They might also announce if some seals have been spotted sunbathing on the rocks or if any other wildlife is spotted.
As the boat pulls out of the dock, you’ll be treated to some lovely views of Mitre Peak, leaving it in the distance as you cruise out to the sea, passing snow capped peaks along the way. Mitre Peak is the prominent triangle-shaped mountain that rises 5,560 feet (1690m) out of the sea below. It’s the peak that stands out in every photo of Milford Sound and what makes Milford Sound so special.
Mitre peak aside, the entire journey is simply stunning. There’s really not much else to say about it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the most amazing natural scenery in the world. Milford Sound will leave you breathless and wanting to come back again. And again. And again.
Just be aware that on the boat it’s usually very windy, and the wind is cold (even in summer), so as much as you’ll want to be outside taking in the scenery, you’ll probably spend at least half the time inside where it’s warm, looking out the window.
Catching Sunrise at Milford Sound
If you truly want a special experience at Milford sound, get there for sunrise. In the summer this will be pretty early, about 6:00 AM, meaning you’ll have to leave Queenstown around 2:00 AM. That’s a pretty daunting task, so you also have the option to stay in Te Anau, the closest town to Milford Sound.
It’s still about a 90 minute drive from there, but at that time in the morning you’ll be the only one on the road. There is a short one-way tunnel called the Homer Tunnel along the drive that has a traffic signal, but the signal doesn’t operate at night, so be sure your lights are on in case anyone is coming the other way.
As previously discussed, accommodation options are extremely limited at Milford Sound. There are a few primitive campsites along the road to Milford that are managed by the Department of Conservation, such as the Upper Eglington Campsite that are first come first served.
You can try your luck with the campsites, but if that doesn’t work out you’ll have to head back to Te Anau. Freedom camping – i.e. parking wherever you want and pitching a tent or sleeping in your campervan – is illegal in New Zealand. While plenty of people do it, it’s not advised to take the risk.
No matter how you choose to get there, if you are there for sunrise you will be rewarded with the sun illuminating Mitre peak as it rises above the mountains to the east, even if you won’t actually see the sun rise due to the high mountains.
The peak will reflect on the water in front of you and the mountains will slowly come alive, until the whole fjord is glowing. Get the first cruise of the day – which is usually the least busy – and you can be heading back to Queenstown by noon. Check the weather ahead of time, of course. Won’t be much of a sunrise if it’s raining.
The reverse of this is amazing as well. During sunset you will get a nice glow on the mountains behind you. As with sunrise, you won’t see the sun actually set, but the views will be lovely nonetheless. Our engagement photos were during the dusk hours.
Whether you go for sunrise or sunset, the best part is that you’ll be nearly alone. The day trippers will be long gone and it will feel like you have the entire fjord to yourself. It simply can’t be beat.
The Milford Trek
New Zealand has multiple multi-day backpacking hikes, known as “Great Walks”, that are pretty epic. One of these is the Milford Trek. If you really want a special Milford Sound experience and you’re not satisfied with a day trip, try hiking there. The trek is 53.5 km total and is recommended to do over 4 days.
To protect the pristine beauty of the area, the trek is heavily regulated. Backcountry camping is not allowed, and official “huts” must be booked ahead of time. The huts have limited accommodation and are typically booked well in advance.
Be prepared to pay significant money to book the hike with a tour company. You can book huts yourself, but there are so many tour companies and so few huts available that they basically have a monopoly on hut booking. If you have any success booking a hut on your own do let me know. For more information, check out this link.
Milford Sound – Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Milford Sound without a cruise?
You can see the most famous views of Milford Sound without taking a cruise, as Mitre Peak is visible from the visitor’s center. However, the only way to see the vast majority of Milford Sound is to take the cruise (or a scenic flight).
What is the best time to visit Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is a year-round destination, but for the best weather and higher sun in the sky, summer is the best time. Since you’ll be pre-booking a fjord cruise and the cruise will likely be sold out regardless of the season, you won’t feel any extra crowds in summer, except maybe looking for a parking spot.
Is Milford Sound better in the morning or the afternoon?
Milford Sound is best enjoyed early in the morning when the sun is shining on Mitre Peak from the east. If you arrive early in the morning you will also beat the tour buses, which is always a plus.
Why is Milford Sound so popular?
Miford Sound is popular because of its draw-jopping natural beauty. It’s no exaggeration that it’s one of the most stunning beautiful places on the entire planet. People come from all over to cruise down the fjord and view the majestic mountains coming right out of the sea.
Milford Sound Day Trip – Final Word
Milford Sound is paradise in nature and can easily be visited as a day trip from Queenstown. It’s truly untamed wilderness, most of it being completely isolated from human disruption. Hopefully by now you have all the vital information you needed to plan an amazing Milford Sound day trip. I hope you love it as much as I do!
