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Jul 19, 2024 · There really is no bad time to visit Milford Sound. The summer months (December, January, and February) are the most popular. The weather is warm, the waterfalls are at their peak, and lots of cruises leave every day. December and January are pretty rainy, so plan for February if you’d like drier weather.
Sep 22, 2024 · The most popular time to visit Milford Sound is during New Zealand’s summer season (December to February) when temperatures are at their mildest. The daily average temperature is 10.2°C (50.3°F) and the yearly average rainfall is 6,428 mm (253.1 in), making Milford Sound one of the wettest places on earth!
- About Milford Sound
- Where Is Milford Sound located?
- When Is The Best Time to Visit Milford sound?
- Can You Visit Milford Sound in Winter?
- Where Are The Best Places to Visit Milford Sound from?
- What Are The Best Things to Do in Milford sound?
- Do You Need to Book Your Milford Sound Tour in Advance?
- What Are The Best Milford Sound Tours?
- What Are The Best Scenic Flights to Milford sound?
- Can You Drive Yourself and Book A Tour from Milford sound?
Milford Sound is a fiord on New Zealand’s South Island. It was formed over millions of years by the erosion of glaciers. It’s known as the wettest place in New Zealand due to the high amount of rainfall it receives each year – around 6,400 mm (252 inches). In fact, Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in the whole world and sometimes gets ove...
Milford Sound is one of the must-see places on the South Island, located in the vast Fiordland National Park. The park is part of the Te Wahipounamu world heritage site and one of New Zealand’s 13 national parks. Milford Sound is around a 3.5-hour drive from Queenstown, which is the nearest major city. It’s actually only around 70 kilometers (43.5 ...
Milford Sound is always beautiful. In terms of the times of day to visit, the morning is ideal. The light is perfect for photography, and there are fewer people around, so you really feel like you have the place to yourself. That being said, Milford Sound is also stunning in the evening. The light is softer and the fiord takes on a different feel. ...
Yes, absolutely! In fact, Milford Sound is absolutely amazing in winter. The temperature in winter is cold, but still very bearable at around 9°C (48°F), so it’s brisk, but not freezing. One of the best things about visiting Milford Sound in winter is that you often have the place to yourself. The fiord is much quieter during the winter months, so ...
Queenstown
It’s a beautiful drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and there are plenty of scenic stops along the way. It takes around 3.5 hours without any stops. If you want to take it slow, there are also several campsites along the highway, which we’ll talk more about later. There are plenty of Milford Sound tours from Queenstown, or you can take the InterCity bus for around $88 NZD each way. If you’ve got extra room in your budget, you can also book a scenic flightwhich saves a lot of time (and is...
Te Anau
Te Anau is a great base for visiting Milford Sound because it’s the closest town to the fiord. There are tons of Milford Sound tours from Te Anau, with stunning cruises really taking the cake. Te Anau is around 120 kilometers (75 miles) away from Milford Sound, and it takes around 2 hours to get there. Again, the drive is scenic and there are plenty of fun stops along the way. There are more accommodation options once you’re here, restaurants to eat at, and the town itself is beautiful and si...
Wanaka
Wanaka is a ski resort town that’s around 343 kilometers (213 miles) away from Milford Sound. There are plenty of places to stay in Wanaka before you head to Milford Sound. The drive takes around 4 hours and 15 minutes without rest breaks and photo stops. You can also fly between the two, which is what we recommend doing if you’re visiting from Wanaka.
Milford Sound cruise
Nature cruisesare probably the best-known activity in Milford Sound. It’s a touristy experience, but also a lot of fun and a chance to see the fiord up close. It’s popular for good reason! There are different types of cruises available, from large ones that serve buffet meals, or small ones that can get right up close to the fiord’s amazing natural features – those ones are my favorite, as you get a more adventurous experience, and the chance to ask your guide all of your burning questions. I...
Kayaking
Kayaking in Milford Soundis awesome because the views on the water are to die for. Lush green cliffs tower over you, and there’s always a chance you’ll spot some wildlife too. I even saw two rare penguins chilling on a rock when I kayaked there!
Take the boat to Lady Bowen Falls
At 162 feet (49 meters) tall, the Lady Bowen Falls are pretty dang impressive. You can see it from the Milford Sound pier, but to get up close and personal, you’ll need to take a boat. Boats regularly depart from the pier throughout the summer, so you can just turn up and climb aboard. Tickets cost $10 NZD for adults and $5 NZD for children and can be purchased at the terminal which is right on the pier. The boat will take you right near Lady Bowen Falls, and you’ll be able to take the Bowen...
It’s not necessary if you’re visiting during the winter, but things definitely book up fast during the summer. Plus, the best Milford Sound tours (including multi-day toursthat take you across the country) are the first to fill up! It’s always a good idea to book in advance if you’re visiting during the peak season to avoid disappointment.
From Queenstown
If you’re planning to be based in Queenstown and looking for more of a day-trip type of tour to Milford Sound, that’s totally possible. These are my top picks!
From Te Anau
As the closest village to Milford Sound, Te Anau is the perfect place to stay for a bit if you have a few days to soak up the beauty of this area. Plus the tours are a bit cheaper since you’re closer to Milford Sound.
From Milford Sound
If you’re already here or planning to drive yourself, it’s super easy to add on a tour (or two!) to really enhance your experience. Some of these tours below are my favorite ways to get out on the water.
Seeing Milford Sound from the air is incredible, and if you can, I highly recommend a scenic flight. Not only is it transportation to Milford Sound, but it’s an unforgettable experience! These are our top picks of tours that include views from the air.
You certainly can! We actually highly recommend doing this to get to Milford Sound. To do this, it’s best to stay in Te Anau or stay in Milford Sounditself, as they’re much closer to the fiord so you won’t need to spend as much time on the road on the day of your visit. That means more time to enjoy the scenery and explore! The tours from Te Anau a...
Best for: waterfalls, wildlife, smaller crowds and more daylight. Spring is a great time to visit before the summer crowds arrive. The Milford Track is less busy and there are fewer boats on the water. New life starts emerging and there are more daylight hours to explore (daylight savings starts at the end of September).
May 1, 2024 · Advice from a local is that the perfect time to visit Milford Sound is in August & September. These months will give you good weather, fewer tourists & snow on the peaks of the mountains. If you can, avoid February due to sheer numbers of tourists, especially the two weeks around Chinese New Year.”.
Oct 31, 2023 · Spend the rest of the day exploring Te Anau. Day 2: Drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound (2.5 hours) for a cruise & kayaking tour. Drive back to Te Anau, making stops along the Milford Road. Spend another night in Te Anau. Day 3: Drive back to Queenstown or onward to the next destination on your road trip.
Milford Sound is great at any time of year, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to see. Milford Sound is notorious for rain. The west coast of the South Island has a high rainfall, and Milford Sound is no exception. In fact, it is one of the wettest places on Earth, averaging 182 days of rain throughout the year.
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