Fiordland National Park, A realm of cascades and wildlife serenity

Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound, Southland District, Southland, New Zealand

The scenery of the bay is truly exceptionally magnificent

4.3

Introduction

Milford Sound is world-renowned for its towering mountains and wildlife, and draws more visitors than its rival, Doubtful Sound. One of the most well-known peaks in the area is Mitre Peak, which stands at 1682m tall and is named for its resemblance to a bishop's mitre. Bowen Falls is the only permanent waterfall in the area, standing at 161m tall, while the other permanent waterfall, Sterling Falls, is 155m tall. Visitors to Milford Sound can also see seals resting on the shore and may be fortunate enough to spot penguins, dolphins, and whales. Due to the area's high annual rainfall, visitors can often enjoy misty and magical views of countless waterfalls. There are two options for one-day tours of Milford Sound: a bus and cruise tour or a plane and cruise tour. The bus and cruise tour typically departs around 7am, boards the cruise ship between 12pm and 1pm, completes the tour of the sound within two hours, and returns to Queenstown in the afternoon. The plane and cruise tour takes 4 to 4.5 hours, and the two best cruise companies, Real Journeys and Southern Discoveries, provide Chinese-language commentary and offer both one-day tours of Milford Sound and plane-and-cruise tours. Most tour companies offer free hotel transfers, but this should be confirmed at the time of booking.

Address

Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound, Southland District, Southland, New Zealand

Opening hours

Throughout the year.

Transportation

Driving from Queenstown to the fiord generally takes around 5-5.5 hours. Along the way, travelers pass through New Zealand's beautiful third largest lake, Lake Te Anau, the South Island's most beautiful road, Milford Road, and the famous Mirror Lake. Resting in Te Anau is possible during the drive. The drive from Queenstown to Te Anau takes around 2-2.5 hours, and from Te Anau to Milford Sound, around 3 hours. Friends who are driving should check the condition of the Milford Road before departure. The road is surrounded by towering mountains, and rockslides and mudslides may occur during heavy rain. Please check the website before heading out.

Website http://www.newzealand.com/cn/milford-sound/