Milford Sound has my heart. No, seriously. I’d live in Milford Sound if I could (but the only way to do that is to work there, and I don’t think they’re after a travel blogger.)
Visiting Milford Sound at least once in your life is a must-do, and if you’re coming all the way to New Zealand, be sure to add it to your itinerary. I myself have visited Milford Sound more times than I can count, but it must be around 15 times by now.
Because I’m such an expert when it comes to visiting Milford Sound, I have a ton of travel guides about the unofficial 8th wonder of the world. Below, you’ll find every blog article I have written about this magical place that will make planning your visit a breeze!
About Milford Sound
Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi in Maori, is a fiord on New Zealand’s South Island. It was formed over millions of years by the erosion of glaciers. That’s right, it’s not even a “sound”, which is a valley carved by a river, not a glacier.
However, the name stuck, and we’ve collectively decided to keep it because Milford Fiord just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Milford Sound is a wet place; in fact, it’s the wettest place in New Zealand, receiving around 6,400 mm (252 inches) of rainfall per year!
For thousands of years, Maori people have visited Milford Sound to fish, hunt, and collect jade stones. The first European to visit was John Grono, who did so in 1823. It’s said that Milford Sound’s entrance was so well concealed that the famous explorer Captain Cook passed by it twice without realizing it was there.
Milford Sound is around a 3.5-hour drive from Queenstown and around 1.5 hours from Te Anau – the closest town. The drive to Milford Sound is as much of a highlight as Milford itself. With that said, a flight into Milford is nothing short of extraordinary – trust me, I’ve done it a few times!
The best way to get to Milford Sound depends on you (more on that below), but regardless, it’s one of, if not the best, places to visit in New Zealand.
15 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting Milford Sound
Visiting Milford Sound does require some planning. So, I put together this guide of the 15 things you need to know before visiting Milford Sound. It includes everything you need to know to start planning your visit.
General Milford Sound Info
Driving to Milford Sound
Where to Stay in Milford Sound
There is only one hotel in Milford Sound itself. However, there are a ton of places to stay around Milford Sound and on the Milford Sound road. Many of these campsites are suitable for those driving in New Zealand in a campervan. In his blog, I will tell you about the Milford Sound Lodge (pictured) and the best campsites on the road to Milford Sound.
Tours to Milford Sound
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Review
Without a doubt, one of the highlights of my life so far was taking an overnight cruise in Milford Sound. Although more expensive, as you’ll find out in this blog, what the cruise includes makes it worth every penny. Not to mention the amount of time you get to spend in Milford Sound without the crowds!
Doubtful Sound
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