From Wikitravel

Milford Sound is probably one of New Zealand's most well known scenic attractions.

[edit] Understand

Milford Sound is actually a fiord, having been carved by a glacier.

Like the rest of Fiordland, Milford Sound receives a lot of rain. Indeed, some tour operators argue that the sound is best seen on a rainy day as all the waterfalls can be seen in their full glory. Many recommend seeing it during a sunny day and in the rain to see both worlds as they are both very different and amazing

Wear rainwear and carry an umbrella to protect photographic equipment.

Bring bug repellant. The Sand flies here are evil.

[edit] Get In

[edit] By Air

The best and most spectacular way to see and experience every thing Milford Sound has to offer is to fly in on a beautiful day. The flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown, Te Anau or Wanaka is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest scenic flights. With unsurpassed views of the mountains and glaciers on route. Those of you who are concerned about your carbon and ecological footprint should consider flying. Aeroplanes do not need the extensive infrastructure that foot and road access require. The road to Milford sound travels through a fragile environment and a great deal of continual work with heavy machinery has to be undertaken to keep it open. During the winter months even the mountain sides have to be bombed in order to keep it the road safe from avalanches. A eight seater aeroplane flying to Milford Sound and return to Queenstown will burn about 10 lt of fuel per passenger. A standard two litre Motorcar with two passengers which is about the average number of passengers going to Milford Sound by car will burn on a return trip to Queenstown 30 litres of fuel per person. Glenorchy Air is one of the companys that operate Air Tours to Milford Sound

There are a number of flightseeing operators that fly light aircraft and helicopters into Milford Sound from Queenstown,Wanaka or Te Anau.

[edit] Flying yourself to Milford Sound

Amateur fliers should get advise before attempting to fly into Milford, for more information about flying yourself to Milford Sound go to ³ Milford Sound Airport

[edit] Milford Sound Airport

Serves: Fiordland, Queenstown and Wanaka, New Zealand

[edit] By Bus

Possibly the nicest way to get to Milford Sound is to take a sightseeing tour from Queenstown or Te Anau.

• Many different companys operate daily coach tours into Milford Sound you can include in your itinerary a boat cruise.
• Real Journeys (see "sleep") operates daily coach tours to Milford Sound, connecting with Real Journeys range of day and overnight cruises.
• Probably the cheapest day trip tour including boat cruise is from budget bus company nakedbus.com. If you book in advance there are tickets available for as low as $1, but even if you don't get one of these the top price is supposed to be less than other operators. More info.

[edit] By Car

From Te Anau, it is 120 km on State Highway 94. Allow plenty of time (and fuel), at least 2-3 hours from Te Anau, when travelling to Milford Sound by car. The road winds through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand as it climbs up to the Homer Tunnel. The Homer Tunnel is a single lane tunnel, although it has been fitted with traffic lights in 2004, you may still experience a wait while opposing traffic clears the tunnel. You may also want to break your journey along the road to take photographs or investigate scenic spots - including Mirror Lakes, views of the Hollyford and The Chasm.

[edit] By Foot

Perhaps the best and most traditional way to get to Milford Sound is to walk the Milford Track. Bookings are essential for this popular 5 day walk. Walkers need to understand that the only reason they can walk the Milford Track in the numbers they do is because the track is serviced by helicopters. So if while on the track you feel like complaining about the noise of aircraft. Remember they are probably taking out all, and I mean all waste products produced by people walking the track. They also bring in supplies for the lodges, carry out Medivacs etc.

[edit][add listing] See

Spectacular scenery. Dolphins, waterfalls, seals and penguins.

Shear rock walls coming straight out of the sea, fantastic waterfalls and Mitre Peak.

[edit][add listing] Do

One of the most awe-inspiring ways to see Milford Sound, is from the water-level itself. There are two ways to do this:

[edit] Cruises

There are several boat operators who offer day cruises. Most guided tours from Te Anau or Queenstown arrive in Milford around noon, so it is advisable to escape the crowds by going on an early-morning or late-afternoon cruise. If you intend to take photographs, the quality of light is usually better around those times as well. While most cruise companies have their last cruise of the day around 3 pm, Mitre Peak Cruises offers 4:30 pm cruises, but only if a minimum number of 6 passengers are interested.

There is also the option of an extended cruise on Milford Sound - overnight cruises operated by Real Journeys). See "Sleep" section below.

[edit] Kayaking

Your proximity to the water in this form of transport just serves to make you feel even smaller, and makes the Sound seem even more vast! The pros of doing it this way are that you get to go places that the big cruise ships cannot, you see a great deal more wildlife (penguins, seals etc.) as you move more quietly through the water, you are part of a small group (between 6 and 8) and so getting more personal attention from your guide, and you get some exercise in the process. Cons are that it is quite hard work and you should be prepared to get cold and wet. A good way of doing this kind of trip is on a 'one day package'. You can be picked up from your accommodations early in the morning (around 6:30AM) in Te Anau by minibus and driven to Milford, where you are kitted out with all the relevant kayak and safety gear and given waterproof bags to take cameras and food with you. The trip lasts till the late afternoon (lunch is taken in your kayaks in the middle of the Sound) and you will be driven back for around 6pm.

Other than the cruises and kayaking, another place you read about in Milford Sound is the Milford Deep Underwater Observatory. The place can only be reached via one of the cruises. What they are trying to do is interesting, but they charge a lot to see the place and you get a whopping 15 mins total there. There is not even enough time to look through the displays.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is only one place to eat and drink in Milford Sound if you did not bring food in with you, and it is the Blue Duck Cafe & Bar. The cafe offers breakfast and lunch, while dinner is found at the bar. Snacks, drinks, and coffee are also available at the cafe. Prices are tourist prices, $8NZ+ for breakfast, $15+ for lunch, $25+ for dinner. They do sell sandwiches around $4-5, but they are not very filling. Their food is good, but if you don't mind your own cooking, the best bet is to bring supplies with you.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Blue Duck Cafe & Bar has pretty much whatever drink you would like to have available with Montieths on tap.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Watch out as there are only two lodges in Milford Sound, and one of them is only for those tramping the Milford Track. The one open to all travelers is the backpacker type accommodation, but cozy , and it is very often fully booked. The Milford Sound Lodge has private doubles or twins and dorm style bunk rooms. It also has plenty of parking for campervans by the river, though not powered sites.

Alternatively experience a different overnight stay in Milford Sound - on board a boat (operated by Real Journeys]). Three options include the Milford Mariner (private cabins with ensuite bathrooms - 60 passengers), Milford Wanderer (quad share bunk style accommodation - 61 passengers) or the MV Friendship (multi share bunk-style accommodation - 12 passengers). Overnight cruises include dinner, bed and breakfast. Plus exploring by tender craft or kayak.

[edit] Contacting tour operators

All the companys mentioned have web pages just type in their name in a search engine and bingo.

[edit] Get out

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