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Things To Do in Milford Sound
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Milford Sound Attractions
To be fully appreciated, Milford Sound must be seen from the deck of one of the cruise vessels. Don’t get too hung up on trying to figure out what tour operator to cruise with—the itinerary that the two to three-hour cruises follow is nearly identical. (You’ll see all the boats doing exactly the same circuit.) My only real advice is that if you’re self-driving, arrive early to nab a good seat on the boats, as they can get packed. As you cruise, keep an eye out for Hector’s dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins.
Prices differ depending on whether you join the cruise vessel in Queenstown, Te Anau, or at Milford Sound, and whether you choose coach, fixed-wing, or helicopter connections. Fares and inclusions vary from operator to operator, and seasonal rates may apply, but expect to pay around NZ$175 adult, NZ$88 child for coach/cruise/coach tour from Te Anau, and NZ$190 adult, NZ$95 child from Queenstown fly/cruise/fly tours from Queenstown will cost around NZ$470 adult, $306 child. I
One of the best Milford experiences is waking up in the watery light of a new day on the sound itself after an overnight stay. RealNZ (tel. 0800/656-501 in NZ or 03/249-7416) offers overnight cruises with private cabins and kayaking excursions, from NZ$599 adults and NZ$299 children. Meals are included, but transport to Milford is extra.
Southern Discoveries (tel. 0800/264-536 in NZ, or 03/441-1137) offers Milford Sound cruises including the good-value "Discover More Cruise" comprising a cruise on the Sound, a picnic lunch, and Milford Underwater Observatory, where visitors descend 10m (33 ft.) beneath the fiord surface to observe underwater life (NZ$129 adult, NZ$59 child, book direct online for 10 percent off).
Kayaking & Hiking
It is quite something to be gliding over the dark green water in your own kayak. Run by the “mayor of Milford,” Rosco’s Milford Kayaks (tel. 03/249-8500) offers several Milford Sound kayaking adventures, including a "Milford Paddle 'n Walk," with a scenic paddle around the sound's Deepwater Basin and a walk along the final section of the Milford Track (NZ$149).
The biggest adventure in this area is the four-day Milford Track. If you’re not one of the fortunate few who have managed to snag a booking on the track, you can still get a taste of it. Trips & Tramps offers a guided walk to the Giant’s Gate Waterfall near the end of the track, an easy 11km (7-mile) round-trip journey from Sandfly Point for NZ$149 (NZ$99 children). Want to go it your own? Fiordland Outdoors offers transfers to Sandfly Point for NZ$50 adults and NZ$25 children.
Scenic Sightseeing
I'm not a huge fan scenic flightseeing because of the environmental costs. But the short scenic helicopter flight I took with Fiordland Helicopters (tel. 03/249-8384) ranks amongst my most memorable NZ travel experiences. Landing on the Tutoko Glacier and flying so close to the park’s highest mountain peaks gave me a true sense of the scale of this incredible place. The 25-minute flight is NZ$495.
Prices differ depending on whether you join the cruise vessel in Queenstown, Te Anau, or at Milford Sound, and whether you choose coach, fixed-wing, or helicopter connections. Fares and inclusions vary from operator to operator, and seasonal rates may apply, but expect to pay around NZ$175 adult, NZ$88 child for coach/cruise/coach tour from Te Anau, and NZ$190 adult, NZ$95 child from Queenstown fly/cruise/fly tours from Queenstown will cost around NZ$470 adult, $306 child. I
One of the best Milford experiences is waking up in the watery light of a new day on the sound itself after an overnight stay. RealNZ (tel. 0800/656-501 in NZ or 03/249-7416) offers overnight cruises with private cabins and kayaking excursions, from NZ$599 adults and NZ$299 children. Meals are included, but transport to Milford is extra.
Southern Discoveries (tel. 0800/264-536 in NZ, or 03/441-1137) offers Milford Sound cruises including the good-value "Discover More Cruise" comprising a cruise on the Sound, a picnic lunch, and Milford Underwater Observatory, where visitors descend 10m (33 ft.) beneath the fiord surface to observe underwater life (NZ$129 adult, NZ$59 child, book direct online for 10 percent off).
Kayaking & Hiking
It is quite something to be gliding over the dark green water in your own kayak. Run by the “mayor of Milford,” Rosco’s Milford Kayaks (tel. 03/249-8500) offers several Milford Sound kayaking adventures, including a "Milford Paddle 'n Walk," with a scenic paddle around the sound's Deepwater Basin and a walk along the final section of the Milford Track (NZ$149).
The biggest adventure in this area is the four-day Milford Track. If you’re not one of the fortunate few who have managed to snag a booking on the track, you can still get a taste of it. Trips & Tramps offers a guided walk to the Giant’s Gate Waterfall near the end of the track, an easy 11km (7-mile) round-trip journey from Sandfly Point for NZ$149 (NZ$99 children). Want to go it your own? Fiordland Outdoors offers transfers to Sandfly Point for NZ$50 adults and NZ$25 children.
Scenic Sightseeing
I'm not a huge fan scenic flightseeing because of the environmental costs. But the short scenic helicopter flight I took with Fiordland Helicopters (tel. 03/249-8384) ranks amongst my most memorable NZ travel experiences. Landing on the Tutoko Glacier and flying so close to the park’s highest mountain peaks gave me a true sense of the scale of this incredible place. The 25-minute flight is NZ$495.
