Welcome to Milford Sound port guide, New Zealand!
Also called Piopiotahi, Milford Sound is a spectacular 22 km long fjord nestled in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. The area is known as the wettest inhabited place on the planet, as it receives large amounts of rainfall during the year.
Milford Sound is known for the iconic Mitre Peak (Rahotu), lush rainforests, scenic waterfalls such as Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls, carved by glaciers during ice ages, featuring magnificent effects and incredible rainbows when it rains in Milford Sound.
Described as the “eighth wonder of the world” by English writer Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound boasts an abundance of wildlife and is home to four seal colonies protected by Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, penguins and dolphins.
Read articles on New Zealand ports: Akaroa, Picton, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland, Napier, Bay of Islands, Dunedin
Milford Sound Port Info
There is no dock in Milford Sound.
Cruise ships sail into Fiordland National Park, a spectacular area that covers 1.2 million hectares of mountains, lakes, fiords, rainforests and is part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage Site Te Wāhipounamu.
Cruise passengers are usually transferred to the Fiordland National Park by a local boat.
Out of all fjords, only Milford Sound is accessible by road. That’s why Milford Sound offers a large number of activities including kayaking, boat cruises, scenic flights, famous hiking to Milford Track, walking tours to Milford Track/Milford Road, trips to the Underwater Observatory where you can see and enjoy Milford Sound’s unique sea life.
Check out Milford Sound tours and activities
Useful info:
- When traveling to Milford Sound, make sure you bring a rain jacket, a compact travel umbrella, closed-toe shoes/hiking shoes, warm gear, a backpack, binoculars, a camera.
Suggested article: What to Pack for a Cruise (2022) – Top 50 Cruise Essentials
- The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 1 NZD equals approximately 0.68 US dollars. See the currency converter
- New Zealand emergency telephone number is 111.
- Wi-fi is only free in public libraries. Some bars and restaurants offer slow-speed wi-fi for an extra fee.
- Public holidays are frequent in New Zealand.
- English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages of NZ.
- Check out hotels in Milford Sound
Subscribe below and get my exclusive, insider SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE!
Port Highlights
Most cruise lines offer Milford Sound cruises as a 2-day experience, with an option to stay overnight in Queenstown, the city nestled on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu.
This incredible 2-day adventure usually includes a boat cruise through the magnificent fjords, a guided historic walking tour to Fiordland National Park with its numerous fjords, waterfalls and beautiful mountains landscapes, a stop at the town of Te Anau, and a few other stops.
However, keep in mind that the Milford Sound itinerary may vary depending on the cruise line, the weather conditions, and a few other factors.
Besides overnight in Queenstown, the exploration of Milford Sound can also include a visit to Te Anau Downs and the city of Dunedin, a popular cruise port on the easter shore of New Zealand’s South Island.
This experience involves disembarking at the Fiordland National Park with a guided walking tour included and from there the drive through Te Anau Downs, which can take approximately 2 hrs. After that, the tour continues to Dunedin where the guests embark on the cruise ship.
Explore Fiordland National Park tours and activities
Useful info:
- The whole trip to Milford Sound is not wheelchair-friendly as it involves a lot of driving, boat transfers and some walking.
- Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.
- Bring warm rain gear. It’s recommended to pack a backpack for 1 night or a small carry-on.
- Bring NZ currency or a credit card.
- There are no local public transport bus services operated by local authorities. Very limited private ferry and taxi services in Te Anau, with the Kepler Water Taxi and Te Anau Taxi Transfers being the notable exceptions.
Te Anau
“The place of the Swirling Waters” in Maori, the town of Te Anau is located on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland, 171 km/106 miles southwest of Queenstown.
Te Anau is served by the commercial Te Anau-Manapouri Airport located 17 km south of the town on State Highway 95.
Te Anau’s population counts 2760 inhabitants and it is the main visitor base for the exploration of Fiordland National Park. The town offers a wide range of accommodation, delicious local delicacies like venison, seafood, lobster and much more.
If you are planning to independently visit the Milford Sound, Te Anau town is the best place to find accommodation.
Some of the top Te Anau highlights are Glowworm caves, scenic flights, Lake Te Anau cruising, kayaking, bird sanctuary visit, or fishing.
The Anau is also a town with a very busy cultural calendar that includes events celebrating music, arts, sport, nature such as Kepler Challenge Mountain Run, Santa Parade, Milford Mountain Classic Bike Ride, Te Anau Rodeo, Te Anau Tartan Festival, Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, and others.
Check out Te Anau tours and activities
Useful info:
- The tour of Te Anau is usually included on the first day of the 2-day Milford Sound exploration. Besides exploring Te Anau highlights, on this day guests normally have a guided walking tour through Fiordland National Park, known for exceptional natural beauty and rich historic heritage. After that, the tour continues to Queenstown.
- Make sure to bring water and light snacks as there’s a lot of driving involved from Te Anau to Queenstown (up to 2 hrs) with only one toilet stop on the way.
- Depending on the tour you booked, your itinerary may involve a stop at a local countryside farm where local lunch is served.
Queenstown
The 2-day Milford Sound tours sometimes include an overnight stay in Queenstown, located 1 hr 45 minutes – 2 hrs driving distance from Te Anau.
Guests are usually offered a guided tour of Queenstown with free time included, with options such as a scenic cruise with live piano performance or a dinner at a local farm with a sheep demo. The scenic cruise is absolutely breathtaking as it allows you to see whales, dolphins, fascinating wildlife and enjoy views of glacial lakes.
Queenstown Skyline Gondola is another must-do activity, and it’s normally included in the guided tour of the town highlights. The iconic Skyline Gondola is the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere that takes visitors 480 meters above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, offering a stunning panorama of the surrounding mountain peaks and natural landscapes.
See the official Skyline Gondola website
Explore Skyline Gondola tours and activities
Queenstown offers plenty of other attractions like walking tracks, mountain biking trails, cultural experiences, adventure activities, and great dining options, all with incredible views and spectacular sceneries.
Useful info:
- Bring a rain/wind jacket, wear closed-toe shoes.
- Bring New Zealand currency/credit card.
- The boat is old and you’ll be able to see all the technical parts including the engines at your leisure. It has live piano onboard and the whole experience is one-of-a-kind, so make sure you have the camera in your hands during this incredible journey.
- Light snacks and drinks are available for purchase onboard the boat (you can use cash NZ currency or a credit card).
Check out Queenstown tours and activities
Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town in the Otago region, located approximately 20 km/12 miles northeast of Queenstown (20 minutes drive).
Arrowtown is a charming and delightful gold rush village nestled along the sparkling Arrow River at the foot of magnificent mountain peaks. The town is known for its old architecture, lack of traffic and beautiful scenery, and has a population of 2880 according to the latest statistics.
Called Haehaenui in Maori, Arrowtown boasts rich cultural and historic heritage and is one of New Zealand’s iconic visitor destinations in the Otago region of the South Island.
Depending on the itinerary, the tours may include a short visit to the town with lunch included.
Dunedin
Your 2-day Milford Sound itinerary may end in Dunedin port where your cruise ship is normally waiting for you.
Time-permitting, you may be offered a guided tour of Dunedin highlights.
For more information on Dunedin, read my article 11 Best Things to Do in Dunedin Port + Cruise Port Guide
Doubtful Sound/Patea
When Milford Road is closed and depending on weather conditions, visitors may be offered the alternative activity that includes a visit to the magnificent Doubtful Sound/Patea via Lake Manapouri.
Doubtful Sound, also called Patea, is a beautiful fiord in Fiordland National Park located in the same region as Milford Sound/Piopiotahi.
Doubtful Sound is the deepest (1381 ft/421 meters) and the second-longest (40 km/25 miles long) of New Zealand’s Sound Island’s fiords.
Doubtful Sound scenery is less dramatic than Milford Sound but is equally captivating, with dense vegetation, vertical cliffs, mountainous landscapes, more waterfalls and a higher chance of seeing local wildlife.
Popular waterfalls are Browne Falls near Lake Browne (619 meters high) and Helena Falls near Deep Cove and the Hall Arm inlet, located at the “entrance” to Doubtful Sound.
Wildlife is another reason to visit this beautiful fjord, home to dolphins, fur seals, penguins, and an abundance of birdlife such as South Island robins, kākā, tūī, and more. Kayaking is also a popular activity.
Peace, serenity and unspoiled nature are key selling points for Doubtful Sound, over the striking views in Milford.
The distance between Lake Manapouri and Queenstown is approximately 2 hours drive and about 20 minutes drive from Te Anau to Manapouri.
Doubtful Sound is also accessible by scenic flight from Te Anau or Queenstown but you will need to take a seaplane flight if you want to land in the fjord itself rather than on one of the mountains.
Explore Doubtful Sound tours and activities
Useful info:
- Keep in mind Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are known for being wet and wild. It rains about 200 days of the year.
- Wear non-slippery, closed-toe shoes.
- If you decide to do boat cruise activities, keep in mind that Doubtful Sound is more expensive than Milford Sound.
- The infrastructure in the region has been built to support up to a million visitors a year and they’re now running at a much lower capacity due to travel restrictions and lower tourism.
Wrapping Up
Before you embark on a New Zealand cruise, make sure you carefully plan your days to get the most of its wonderful ports of call.
Make sure you check out my articles on Akaroa, Picton, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland, Napier, Bay of Islands, Dunedin
Don’t forget to subscribe below and get my exclusive, insider SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE!
Adventour Begins is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you click on and/or make a purchase through a link to an Amazon affiliate link placed on our website, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see my disclaimer here.
You May Also Like:
What to Pack for a Cruise (2022) – Top 50 Cruise Essentials
Women’s Cruise Wear – Top Cruise Essentials for Ladies
What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise – 40 Must-Have Items
