I don’t need to introduce this natural wonder. Because the videos on social networks have already done their job. And if you think it’s doctored, that it can’t be as impressive in real life, believe me, it is. It’s one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen in my life. And I still get chills when I look at the photos and videos I’ve taken there.
I’ve visited Milford Sound twice. Or rather three if you count the time I hiked the Kepler Track, one of the 10th great walks of New Zealand, which gives a glimpse of the region’s fjords. The first time I visited it was at the end of winter. It had snowed the day before. The sky was grey. And many people cancelled their trip because of the bad weather.
And yet if I have just one piece of advice to give, it’s to go when it’s raining.
Because it’s even more mystical. More dramatic.
HOW TO GET TO MILFORD SOUND
Let’s say you depart from Queenstown, which is one of the main hub of the South Island (with it’s own airport), from there it’s a 4h drive to the start of Milford Sound (& the cruises).
- By public transport & tours : prices are starting at 200NZD (around 110€) for this long journey of 12 hours on the road. Because you need to make a diversion via Te Anau because of the configuration of the roads, which will mean an 8-hour journey in the end, even though the fjords are only 120 kilometres away as the crow flies. But it’s a great opportunity to see, from your passenger window, the changing landscapes, as well as one of New Zealand’s most scenic roads, once you pass under the Homer Tunnel.
- By car : count as well 4h but the drive worth it !
- By plane : one last option which is not really environment friendly is to book a scenic flights from Queenstown or Wanaka. These flights typically take about 40 minutes each way and provide stunning aerial views of the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu, Fiordland National Park, and Milford Sound itself. You can couple this aerial trip with a boat cruise around the fjord and then return by plane or private tour bus. Count 600 NZD (around 325€) for a plane return trip with a boat tour.
TAKE A CRUISE OVER MILFORD SOUND FJORD
If you have taken an organised tour by air or land, the cruise is usually already included, but if you are coming by car, it’s best to book your cruise in advance. This is especially true during the school and summer periods. Cruises start at 100NZD (around 60 euros) and last 2h, with tea, coffee and biscuits to warm you up in winter and summer alike. Basically you’ll be going on a tour of the fjords, getting up close to some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world, and discovering local wildlife such as the many sea lions that have taken up residence on the rocks, as well as the dophins (especially on sunny days) that love to accompany the boats, And in spring (October to the beginning of December) you’ll also spot the Fiordland Crested Penguin, with its distinctive yellow crest, which takes refuge in the geology of the fjords during the mating season to feed its young.
DIVE IN MILFORD SOUND
A little-known alternative to the traditional boat trip is to dive in the fjords. The water is cool, very cool, reaching a maximum of 16° at the height of summer, due to the depth and geology of the area. But of course you’ll need the right wetsuits. The fjords are particularly popular with divers because the layer of unsalted water deposited by the glaciers on top of the layer of salty water from the Tasman Sea simulates living conditions as at several hundred metres. You can see deep-sea animals, dolphins and black coral with extreme clarity.
KAYAK IN MILFORD SOUND
A cool activity to make between friends or family is to do Kayak in the Fjords! It might be a bit physical with the waves but it’s unmissable as you can really get more close to the fjords !
HIKE IN MILFORD SOUND
The region offers a wide range of walks, from an hour to several days. If you’re planning to spend a few days in Te Anau, or if you’re finishing the cruise early in the day, this is the perfect opportunity to visit the surrounding area and walk a few kilometres to access some of the most impressive spots. Don’t miss the hike to Lake Marjan, where you can even swim in summer: 3h return | 6 kilometres. If you stay in Te Anau for a weekend, you could start as well the Kepler track to Luxmore hut & return (6h) or have a glimpse of the Milford Sound track with the Key Summit Track (3,4km return about 2h).
Did you ever saw Fjords in real life ?