Milford Sound

Welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, Milford Sound is justifiably the most famous visitor destination in New Zealand.

Visitors are drawn by the spectacular sights of waterfalls cascading from sheer rock faces rising 1,200 metres or more from the sea, lush rain forests clinging precariously to the cliffs, and the seals, penguins and dolphins that frequent the waters. With 182 days of rain every year, Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in New Zealand however the rain creates stunning treats for visitors with dozens of temporary waterfalls created both at Milford Sound and along the Milford Road.

A number of scenic cruises are available at Milford Sound as well as an underwater observatory providing viewing of the black coral and underwater life. The famous Milford Sound Track ends with a boat ride across Milford Sound from Sandfly Point.

History of Milford Sound

Maori are believed to have discovered Milford Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to the fiord, collecting the much prized pounamu (greenstone). These treks from the east used traditional pathways across passes such as MacKinnon Pass on the Milford Track. The Māori named the sound Piopiotahi after the thrush-like piopio bird, now extinct.

In 1812 John Grono was the first European settler to land in the sound. He named Milford Sound after Milford Haven in Wales, while the Cleddau River which flows into the sound is also named for its Welsh namesake.

Maori Legend

The Maori name for Milford Sound, Piopiotahi, means "a single piopio", harking back to the legend of Maui trying to win immortality for mankind - when Maui died in the attempt, a piopio was said to have flown here in mourning.

According to Maori Legend, Piopiotahi was carved out by Tu-te-raki-whanoa, an atua (godly figure) who was given the task of shaping the Fiordland coast. Chanting a powerful karakia (prayer), he hacked at the towering rock walls with his toki (adze) called Te Hamo.

The Milford Road

In 1954, after 19 years of work, the Homer Tunnel was opened introducing road access to Milford Sound. Although the tunnel is wide enough for a bus and a small vehicle to pass, traffic lights now operate during the summer months. The tunnel is a reasonably steep 1:10 gradient running East to West.

Milford Sound is 295km from Queenstown (4 hours 15 minutes) and 121km from Te Anau (2 hours 15 minutes). The road passes through unspoiled mountain landscapes before entering the 1.2km Homer Tunnel which emerges into rain-forest-carpeted canyons that descend to the sound.

The Milford Road, while of a very high standard, is prone to avalanches. During the winter months snow falls regularly. The long distances involved prompt many visitors to visit Milford Sound on a sightseeing coach tour. A number of options are available from Queenstown and Te Anau. As the return journey is back along the Milford Road, many visitors choose to return by scenic flight.

Milford Sound Sightseeing

Sightseeing Tours from Queenstown and Te Anau

Great Sights operates year-round sightseeing day tours to Milford Sound. Day tours are by glass-roof, toilet-equipped coaches. Drivers provide an expert commentary in English and headsets are available providing multilingual commentary in Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. Tours include a scenic cruise and a range of lunch options.

In the summer months AwesomeNZ (www.awesomenz.com) provides a sightseeing day tour to Milford Sound by glass-roof coach. These Milford Sound Cruise tours are for smaller groups and the commentary is in English only. The cruise is a 2 hours 15 minutes – one of the longest and most indepth cruises available, including roving nature guides. Snackbox lunches are available.

Cruises of Milford Sound

Milford Sound Red Boats operates a number of cruises departing as early as 9.00am through until 3.45pm. Cruises range from 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours and some include a visit to the Milford Deep Observatory.

Milford Deep Observatory

Nestled in Harrison’s Cove, the Milford Deep Observatory takes visitors 10.4 metres below the sea’s surface where black and red coral can be viewed along with anemones, sponges, sea stars, horse mussels and a variety of fish.

Scenic Flights

Visitors who have entered Milford Sound by coach can return to Queenstown by scenic flight. Flying over hanging valleys, rugged coastline, and alpine lakes, the return provides a memorable return of scenic splendour. Great Sights (www.greatsights.co.nz) and AwesomeNZ (www.awesomenz.com) both offer prebooked coach-cruise-flight packages. Scenic flights can also be booked through the driver.

Getting To Queenstown and Te Anau

Daily coach and bus services connect to Te Anau and Queenstown from Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch and Mount Cook. Check out InterCity Coachlines (www.intercity.co.nz), Newmans Coach Lines (www.newmanscoach.co.nz) and Great Sights (www.greatsights.co.nz) for timetables and bookings.