Milford Sound
Welcome to Milford Sound – a fiord of unparalleled natural beauty and consistently ranked New Zealand’s 1# attraction. Milford Sound is a fiord located deep in the World Heritage listed and utterly stunning Fiordland National Park. Located in the South Island’s wild south-west, Milford Sound lies roughly 290km from Queenstown (about a three and a half hour drive) and 760km from Christchurch (nearly a nine hour drive). Milford Sound is certainly one of New Zealand’s finest crowning jewels and a dazzling experience waiting for you that you will never forget. more
Thousands of visitors visit Milford Sound every day making the fiord one of New Zealand's most visited and most famous tourist attractions. Almost every Milford Sound visitor takes a boat tour to view the amazing scenery and wildlife (fur seals, the endemic Fiordland Penguin, the worlds southernmost population of bottlenose dolphins, many native birds and even the occasional whale – mostly humpback and southern right whales). The fiord is surrounded by lush rainforest and sheer rock faces – including the iconic Mitre Peak (featuring on many Milford Sound postcards), The Elephant (said to resemble the head of an elephant) and The Lion (said to resemble a crouching lion). Milford Sound has two spectacular permanent waterfalls, the Lady Bowen (a 10 minute walk from Milford village) and Stirling Falls. After heavy rain (Milford Sound is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand) hundreds of temporary waterfalls are created.
Being the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand, Milford Sound receives an incredibly high level of rainfall (with an astonishing 6.5 metres (21ft) falling annually). Come on a dry sunny day and see the fiord lit up before you with unimpeded views of the towering, steep mountain ranges arising abruptly out of the waters. Come on a rainy day and see this moody fiord come alive with hundreds of cascading waterfalls gushing headlong into the fiord all around you. Either way you with be greeted with such dramatic sights you will have to consult a dictionary for new superlatives to describe it.
Choose from a range of transport options to explore this magnificent fiord (the only New Zealand fiord easily accessed by road) – these primarily include; by bus (the most popular method is buses from either Te Anua or Queenstown), by airplane (there are small scenic flights into the into the small airport from Queenstown), by car or even by foot if you hike the world famous Milford Track. If you drive or bus there don’t nap through the drive – the road to Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful alpine drives in the world beset by endless eye-popping views.
Milford Sound owes its existence to the ice ages. During the ice ages, mighty glaciers wound, carved and grinded their way from the mountains chiselling away at the mountain slopes and creating great U-shaped valleys. Over time the planet warmed and the glaciers melted, the sea then flooded in to create what is known as a “fiord” (a flooded glacial valley). The effect of glacial carvings are evident today in the steepness of mountainsides plummeting vertically into the sea, leaving Milford Sound virtually enclosed with a halo of vertical cliff faces.
As the water is very well sheltered in the fiords, the fresh water pouring into the fiord from the towering mountains doesn’t mix with the salt water – instead creating a layer of fresh water sitting on the salt water. This layer of fresh water on salt water gives rise to a distinctive eco system and changes the colour of the sound as it is stained with tannins from the decaying leaves to become a strong tea colour.
The discovery of the 1,140 metre high Mackinnon Pass in 1888 helped open up Milford Sound’s natural beauty to visitors and today this is the passage of the magnificent and world famous Milford Track. The Milford Track is famously dubbed "the finest walk in the world" one of New Zealand’s “great walks”. The exit from the Homer Tunnel is a truly awesome sight to behold – a commanding glacier-cut U-shaped valley awaits at the end of the tunnel still partway up the mountain.
Unfortunately there is only limited accommodation at Milford Sound itself – so if you are looking to stay here you will need to book in advance. Most visitors stay in Te Anau (a one a half hour drive) or Queenstown (a three and a half hour drive) – both of these resort towns are nestled on large pristine lakes surrounded by towering mountains with awe-inspiring views.
Take a moment to send a Fiordland related E-Postcard to your friends.
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Attractions and Activities
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ACTIVE ADVENTURES
ACTIVE ADVENTURES
Mobile-friendly - We’re Kiwis, and for 25 years we’ve been adventuring in the stunning New Zealand outdoors with guests from Tauranga to Texas. If you have 2 days or 2 weeks, are after bucket-list destinations or venturing into the back country, we’ll find your perfect adventure. And with our Active Adventure Assurance, date changes and trip switches are easy as.
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- +64 3 450 0414 or Freephone: 1800 661 9073 (USA or Canada); 0808 234 7780 (UK); 1800 661 907 (Australia)
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- Nationwide - based in Queenstown, New Zealand
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AIR MILFORD - Queenstown
AIR MILFORD - Queenstown
Mobile-friendly - Air Milford proudly operates the only brand new Cessna Caravan aircraft. This aircraft offers leather seating, quiet air conditioned comfort and great viewing for all passengers. It is one of the safest aircraft flying today. Family owned and operated, with a 100% safety record. Flights to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, the Southern Alps and Glaciers.
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- +64 3 442 2351
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- 0800 462 252 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- 3 Tex Smith Lane, Frankton, Queenstown, New Zealand
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ALPINE LUXURY TOURS - Queenstown
ALPINE LUXURY TOURS - Queenstown
Mobile-friendly - Alpine Luxury Tours specialises in privately guided day tours for sightseeing, wine experiences, ski field transfers, hiking and heli-adventures throughout Queenstown, Fiordland and Mount Cook. We create genuine and unique adventures that give unrivalled access to some of New Zealand's most exclusive destinations. Travel in style and comfort in our fleet of luxurious European vehicles with your personal local guide.
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- +64 27 257 4632
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- Queenstown, New Zealand
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ALTITUDE TOURS - Queenstown
ALTITUDE TOURS - Queenstown
Mobile-friendly - Altitude Tours are all about turning average holidays into epic adventures, taking you on top-rated journeys to Milford Sound, Gibbston, Central Otago, Glenorchy & Paradise or Mt Cook on daily departure tours from Queenstown. Enjoy travelling in a small group in modern Mercedes Sprinters, with an experienced and entertaining local guide.
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ASPIRING HELICOPTERS - Wanaka
ASPIRING HELICOPTERS - Wanaka
Mobile-friendly - Glacier landings, scenic flights, personalised experiences: Let us take you exploring over Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks giving you the ultimate birds-eye view and unique alpine landings only possible by helicopter. Set foot on an ancient glacier, enjoy the diverse landscape on a Milford Sound flight or simply take in the majestic mountains surrounding Wanaka. Charter flights available.
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- +64 3 443 7152
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- 2211 Mt Aspiring Road, Wanaka, New Zealand
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AWARUA GUIDES - South West New Zealand
AWARUA GUIDES - South West New Zealand
A wilderness adventure of a lifetime. Enjoy an exceptional helicopter flight, then surf, hike, SUP, kayak, dive & fish for fantastic foods. Stay amongst incredible coastal wilderness, amazing chef & fun local guides to ensure the best possible stay. Our tailored adventures depart from Queenstown, with aditional options from Milford Sound and Haast in South Westland.
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AWESOME TOURS - Dunedin
AWESOME TOURS - Dunedin
Mobile-friendly - Experience the awesome sights and beauty of Southern NZ. Showcasing the Heritage and Wildlife capital of NZ - Dunedin. Choose between small-group package tours, daily tours, shore excursion tours or design your own tour. Experienced and knowledgeable driver/guides look after all your needs. Recipient of Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence last 7 years, member of Trip Advisors Hall of Fame.
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- +64 27 431 0989
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- 50 The Octagon, Dunedin, New Zealand
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CHEEKY KEA TOURS - South Island
CHEEKY KEA TOURS - South Island
We have an adventure package to suit EVERYONE! Touring isn't just a job for us, it's a lifestyle! We are local, we are fun and we love adventure, so who better to guide you on your epic South Island adventure tour than us!?
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- +64 22 608 8318
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- Christchurch, New Zealand
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CRUISE & KAYAK MILFORD SOUND - Milford Sound
CRUISE & KAYAK MILFORD SOUND - Milford Sound
Mobile-friendly - Kayaking in Milford Sound is an extraordinary experience where the majesty of the landscape is all that more dramatic from sea level. Our Cruise & Kayak Milford Sound experience includes a Milford Sound cruise, entry to the Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory and one hour of kayaking around serene Harrison Cove.
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- +64 3 441 1137
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- 0800 264 536 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- St Omer Wharf, 110 Beach Street, Queenstown, New Zealand
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DISCOVER WANAKA - Wanaka & South Island
DISCOVER WANAKA - Wanaka & South Island
Mobile-friendly - Discover Wanaka - The Ultimate Guided Local Experience. We offer a number of bike tours, boat tours, ski guiding and ski transport options. From beginners to experts, our tours are led by expert, friendly guides. You’ll always feel supported. Family friendly and suitable for all ages and fitness. We offer a range of tours to suit everyone.
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- +64 21 919 468
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- 0800 946 387 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- 103 Ardmore Street, Wanaka, New Zealand
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FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK - Fiordland (South Island)
FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK - Fiordland (South Island)
Fiordland National Park was established in 1952 and contains stunning scenery including fiords, waterfalls and snow capped mountain peaks. Mitre Peak is one of the most photographed features in the park. Old rainforests and lakes are breathtaking and several famous tracks like the Milford, Kelper and Routeburn tracks dissect the park. Don't miss it.
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FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK LODGE - Fiordland
FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK LODGE - Fiordland
Mobile-friendly - Tranquil location right beside the lake at Te Anau Downs, just 30km north of Te Anau and 91kms from Milford Sound. We are only 600m from the boat departure point for the famous Milford Track. A peaceful area in Fiordland National Park with spectacular views. Three types of accommodation: motel units, lodge or backpacker rooms - linen supplied and ensuites.
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- +64 3 249 7811
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- 0800 500 805 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- 2681 Milford Sound Highway, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
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FIORDLAND OUTDOORS CO. - Te Anau, Fiordland
FIORDLAND OUTDOORS CO. - Te Anau, Fiordland
Mobile-friendly - Whether it’s water taxi transfers, all-in-one transport packages or making sense of getting to the Great Walks, we’re here to make adventures happen. Fiordland Outdoors Co has transported thousands of hikers, hunters and explorers into Fiordland National Park for unforgettable experiences in nature. Fiordland is our backyard. Sustainability and guardianship are at the forefront of everything we do.
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- +64 21 197 4555
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- 0800 3474 538 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- Cnr Oraka St & Milford Highway, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park
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Fiordland Postcard
Fiordland Postcard
E-Postcards are fun to send and receive, and an ideal way to message a friend or family member. This E-Postcard features the beautiful Milford Sound in the Fiordland region of New Zealand.
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FIRST LIGHT TRAVEL - New Zealand Wide
FIRST LIGHT TRAVEL - New Zealand Wide
Mobile-friendly - An extraordinary selection of unique small group tours. Premier experiences using the most qualified people, personalities, locations and knowledge. Our trips range from guided adventure and dive tours through to educational tours with marine mammals. We are constantly striving to build greater ecological awareness of the highly sensitive and vulnerable nature of the environment.
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GRAND PACIFIC TOURS - New Zealand
GRAND PACIFIC TOURS - New Zealand
Mobile-friendly - Grand Pacific Tours are the New Zealand coach holiday specialists offering a range of all inclusive, value for money holidays. We offer 5 categories of coach tour vacation packages namely; Affordable Coach Tours, Signature Coach Tours, Ultimate Small Group Tours, Cruise & Coach Tours and Special Interest Tours.
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- 0800 444 673 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- P.O. Box 25473, St Heliers, Auckland, New Zealand
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HELI GLENORCHY - Queenstown & Glenorchy
HELI GLENORCHY - Queenstown & Glenorchy
Mobile-friendly - Spectacular scenic helicopter flights to Milford Sound, Fiordland, and the Queenstown region. Based in Glenorchy, NZ - the real "Middle Earth", a 45 minute lakeside drive from Queenstown. For an even more exclusive skiing experience, why not try a day of heli-skiing in untouched alpine terrain. Heli Glenorchy offers boutique heli-skiing in the spectacular mountains surrounding Queenstown, Wanaka and Glenorchy.
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- +64 3 442 9971
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- 0800 435 449 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- 35 Mull St, Glenorchy, New Zealand
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HELIWORKS QUEENSTOWN - Queenstown
HELIWORKS QUEENSTOWN - Queenstown
Heliworks Queenstown is one of Queenstown’s leading helicopter companies. Based in the South Island, New Zealand, Heliworks Queenstown offers incredible scenic helicopter flights and experiences all over the Queenstown-Lakes area. With our highly experienced crew and modern fleet of helicopters, explore Queenstown, Fiordland, Milford Sound, the West Coast or the world-famous Earnslaw Burn from above with us.
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- +64 3 441 4011
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- 0800 464 354 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- Queenstown International Airport, Tex Smith Lane, Queenstown, New Zealand
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MILFORD SOUND CRUISES - Milford Sound
MILFORD SOUND CRUISES - Milford Sound
Mobile-friendly - Discover spectacular Milford Sound on a sightseeing day cruise with Southern Discoveries. With cruises to suit every interest and timeframe, the Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory and kayaking tours, Southern Discoveries can deliver the entire Milford Sound experience.
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- +64 3 441 1137
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- 0800 264 536 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- St Omer Wharf, 110 Beach Street, Queenstown, New Zealand
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MILFORD SOUND DISCOVERY TOUR - Queenstown
MILFORD SOUND DISCOVERY TOUR - Queenstown
Mobile-friendly - Personalised small group or Private Discovery Tour to the Fiordland wilderness. Experience glaciers, rainforests, waterfalls and wildlife. Highlights and stops include the Mirror Lakes boardwalk, Knobs Flat, The Divide, Hollyford Valley lookout, The Chasm & the Homer Tunnel. At Milford Sound we take a 1.45 hour Scenic Cruise on the fiord with a less crowded small boat personal tour.
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- +64 27 472 7972
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MILFORD SOUND LOOKOUT TRACK - Milford Sound
MILFORD SOUND LOOKOUT TRACK - Milford Sound
Enjoy impressive views of stunning Milford Sound from a lookout on this short, easy walking track. Take sandfly repellent with you!
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MITRE PEAK CRUISES - Milford Sound
MITRE PEAK CRUISES - Milford Sound
Mobile-friendly - Experience Milford Sound the way it should be experienced. Up close and personal. Mitre Peak Cruises leads the way in small, scenic cruises of spectacular Milford Sound. We also provide the option of a luxurious, relaxing coach excursion from Queenstown to Milford Sound and return with interesting and informative commentary and plenty of photo stops along the way.
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- +64 3 249 8110
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- 0800 744 633 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- PO Box 8, Milford Sound, New Zealand
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NEW ZEALAND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS - New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS - New Zealand
Mobile-friendly - Join New Zealand's top landscape, nature and wildlife photographers to help you to get the most from your photography or visit to New Zealand. From 1-day Photography Workshops to 17-day NZ Photo Tours with New Zealand's leading landscape and wildlife photographers.
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OPULENCE TOURS - New Zealand
OPULENCE TOURS - New Zealand
Mobile-friendly - New Zealand is a land of unequalled beauty, with spectacular landscapes and experiences found nowhere else in the world. My name is Tom Taylor, and as the owner and operator of Opulence Tours I invite you to let me take you, as your personal guide, to experience the very best of New Zealand.
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REAL JOURNEYS - Fiordland, Queenstown and Te Anau
REAL JOURNEYS - Fiordland, Queenstown and Te Anau
Mobile-friendly - Discover Fiordland, Queenstown and Te Anau with Real Journeys, a local company that has guided excursions into these unique areas for 60 years. Choose day, overnight or coach/cruise options to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. Visit the Te Anau Glowworms Caves, try the Milford Track Guided Day Walk, Queenstown's iconic TSS Earnslaw Steamship and Walter Peak High Country Farm.
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- +64 3 442 7500
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- 0800 656 501 (Free call - only within NZ)
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- Real Journeys Visitor Centre, Steamer Wharf, Queenstown, New Zealand
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