Milford Sound, located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is located within the Fiordland National Park. It runs 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 m or more on either side. Among its most striking features are Mitre Peak, rising 1,692 m above the sound, the Elephant at 1,517 m and resembling an elephant’s's head, and Lion Mountain, 1,302 m, in the shape of a crouching lion. Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins and dolphins populate the water.
The beauty of this landscape draws thousands of visitors each day, with between 550,000 and 1 million visitors in total per year. This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots, and also the most famous New Zealand tourist destination, even with its remote location and the long journey from the nearest population centre. Almost all tourists going to the sound also take one of the boat tours which usually last between 1–2 hours. They are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. There is also the option of extended overnight cruises on Milford Sound.
Tramping, canoeing and some other water sports are also possible. A small number of companies also provide overnight boat trips. There is otherwise only limited accommodation at the Sound, and only a very small percentage of tourists stay more than the day.
An underwater tourist observatory found in one of the bays of the sound provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained by tannins from the surrounding forest, allows the corals to grow close to the surface here.
In rainy and stormy days tourists can admire the play of the wind with the numerous waterfalls in Milford Sound. When meeting the cliff face the powerful wind often goes upward and waterfalls with a vertical drop get caught by wind, causing the water to go upwards.
Things to do in Milford Sound
Milford Sound Cruises
A range of day and night cruises will take visitors to see the attractions of Milford Sound, including the native wildlife, dramatic waterfalls, Mitre Peak and the Underwater Observatory at Harrison Cove. All day cruises depart from the wharf complex, a short walk from the Mitre Peak Café and carpark.
Mitre Peak
This towering rock face - said to resemble a Bishop's mitre - is one of Milford Sound's most famous sights, rising 1695m from the serene waters.
Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
Located 9m underwater, this circular observation gallery has windows which look out over the heart of the fiord. Specially cultivated window-box gardens contain rare black corals which usually only grow at levels deeper than 40m. Visitors can see brightly coloured fish, sea fans, giant starfish, tubeworms - and, if they are lucky, the odd seal or shark may swim by.
Milford Track
Said to be one of the finest walks in the world, the Milford Track (54km) takes in pristine rainforest and crystal-clear streams. The four-day track starts at Glade House, at the northern end of Lake Te Anau. From here, it pases through rainforest, over the dramatic Mackinnon Pass, down to Quintin Hut and through Arthur River Valley to Milford Sound. Walkers can enjoy breathtaking views from the top of Mackinnon Pass, or make the return walk from Quintin Hut to the beautiful Sutherland Falls.
Sutherland Falls
New Zealand's highest waterfall cascades 630m down a sheer rockface. The falls were named after Milford Sound's earliest settler, Scotsman Donald Sutherland, who established the area's first accommodation upon his arrival in 1877.
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| (New Zealand) – Visiting Milford Sound |
Tramping, canoeing and some other water sports are also possible. A small number of companies also provide overnight boat trips. There is otherwise only limited accommodation at the Sound, and only a very small percentage of tourists stay more than the day.
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| (New Zealand) - Milford Sound Map |
An underwater tourist observatory found in one of the bays of the sound provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained by tannins from the surrounding forest, allows the corals to grow close to the surface here.
In rainy and stormy days tourists can admire the play of the wind with the numerous waterfalls in Milford Sound. When meeting the cliff face the powerful wind often goes upward and waterfalls with a vertical drop get caught by wind, causing the water to go upwards.
Things to do in Milford Sound
Milford Sound Cruises
A range of day and night cruises will take visitors to see the attractions of Milford Sound, including the native wildlife, dramatic waterfalls, Mitre Peak and the Underwater Observatory at Harrison Cove. All day cruises depart from the wharf complex, a short walk from the Mitre Peak Café and carpark.
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| (New Zealand) - Milford Sound Cruises |
Mitre Peak
This towering rock face - said to resemble a Bishop's mitre - is one of Milford Sound's most famous sights, rising 1695m from the serene waters.
 |
| (New Zealand) - Mitre Peak Milford Sound |
Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
Located 9m underwater, this circular observation gallery has windows which look out over the heart of the fiord. Specially cultivated window-box gardens contain rare black corals which usually only grow at levels deeper than 40m. Visitors can see brightly coloured fish, sea fans, giant starfish, tubeworms - and, if they are lucky, the odd seal or shark may swim by.
 |
| (New Zealand) - Milford Sound Underwater Observatory |
Milford Track
Said to be one of the finest walks in the world, the Milford Track (54km) takes in pristine rainforest and crystal-clear streams. The four-day track starts at Glade House, at the northern end of Lake Te Anau. From here, it pases through rainforest, over the dramatic Mackinnon Pass, down to Quintin Hut and through Arthur River Valley to Milford Sound. Walkers can enjoy breathtaking views from the top of Mackinnon Pass, or make the return walk from Quintin Hut to the beautiful Sutherland Falls.
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| (New Zealand) - Milford Track |
Sutherland Falls
New Zealand's highest waterfall cascades 630m down a sheer rockface. The falls were named after Milford Sound's earliest settler, Scotsman Donald Sutherland, who established the area's first accommodation upon his arrival in 1877.
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| (New Zealand) - Sutherland Falls |
(wikipedia.org, jasons.co.nz)
