Milford Sound
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Milford Sound: Tours & Tickets

See all tours & things to do in Milford Sound

Top 5 ways to experience Milford Sound

New Zealand's breathtaking fjord is one of the world's top destinations. Rudyard Kipling once described it as the 8th Wonder of the World, and he hadn't even seen it in all the ways available to you! Which of these takes your fancy?

Boat

Boat

From Mitre Peak to the waterfalls and rainforest, a scenic cruise of the fjord is the best way to capture its magnificence on camera!

Kayak

Kayak

Kayak tours are great for exploring the nooks and crannies that bigger boats can't reach. Perfect for seeing dolphins, seals, and even penguins!

Hike

Hike

Milford Sound is rife with hiking trails for all ability levels, so anyone can discover its mountainous panoramas and lush vegetation for themselves!

Flight

Flight

Not the cheapest options of course, but light plane and helicopter tours reveal the time-sculpted landscape at its most awe-inspiring!

Dive
Photo: empty007@flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Dive

Milford Sound is arguably the most beautiful place on earth, and that's only above the water! Hire a diving instructor to help reveal the dazzling secrets beneath it!

Our insider tips

Best time to visit?

Peak Season is around the new year when New Zealand's South Island is at its warmest. It never gets hot per se, but if your priority is avoiding the crowds and high prices then go in fall between March and May. Beware though, Milford Sound is one of the wettest inhabited places in the world, and the rain can be freezing in spring and fall, even on warm days!

What to wear?

Be sure to bring a good rain coat and sturdy, waterproof walking boots, even if you're not going on a hike. Remember that rain is part of the experience! Wrap up warm if you're going on a cruise. If you're not, it's worth packing a few extra layers anyway just in case the temperatures drop suddenly.

What to bring?

We recommend that you pack light, but bring a water bottle, protection against the sun, and most importantly, insect repellant. You should probably take your camera too!

Good to know

  • When should I visit?
    Always open.
  • Is it expensive?
    Ticket prices vary based on the type of activities possible, like kayaking, boating and flying.
  • Will I need a guide?
    A guided tour of the area is a great idea and there are many options and activities available!
  • How to get there
    Milford Sound is 295km from Queenstown and 121km from Te Anau. It is a 5-hour journey from Queenstown and can be challenging to get to at times, so taking a tour is recommended.
  • Additional information

    • Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, insects and sun exposure!

    • Pack light, but make sure you have water and a couple layers of clothing.

What people are saying about Milford Sound

Becs was excellent and the tour was interesting and informative

The day was well planned with plenty of time to see and do everything. The views and locations were stunning. Morning tea and lunch was provided and was great.

Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walk from Te Anau Reviewed by Adrienne, 12/04/2019

Absolutely magnificent views from the chopper and then on the cruise.

We would highly recommend seeing Milford Sound this way. The chopper trip was spectacular and our pilot was exceptional.

Milford Sound Scenic Heli-Flight & Cruise from Queenstown Reviewed by John, 12/04/2019

Great experience guided by an interesting and informative driver.

The bus drive to and from TeAnau to Milford Sound was just as good with a great driver ensuring passengers were well informed. Milford Sound cruise was great but the boat captain could not be heard over the loudspeaker due to poor system and him softly spoken. The scenery was excellent and the boat stopped at various places to give us a close look at various photo points.

Te Anau: Milford Sound 2-Hour Cruise & Scenic Coach Tour Reviewed by Ray, 24/02/2019

Very Good guided tour with experience guide

Walk for 4 hours along the Milford track. Walk was lovely, but could have walked the whole track if we were aware there was 4 day hiking expedition available. However, the route we travelled was good, easy going. Would recommend and to consider the 4 day hike. But book early as they sell out very fast!

Milford Sound: Half-Day Guided Milford Track Walk Reviewed by Steven, 23/02/2019

A glorious experience, simply breathtaking

The tour of the Sound on the great ferry was wonderful. It was brilliant. Didn’t realise that lunch was served immediately upon boarding the boat at 11.30 - would have skipped morning tea, as the food was fabulous

Milford Sound Nature Cruise, Underwater Observatory & Lunch Reviewed by Julie, 23/02/2019

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