4 BEST Things to do in Milford Sound

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Milford Sound, you’ve come to the right place!

Milford Sound is one of my favorite places in the whole world. I’m not kidding – I’ve been here over 10 times and I leap at any opportunity to go. There are many different tours and ways you can experience this beautiful part of Southern New Zealand, but not all of them are created equally.

This is why I’ve created this blog to tell you about the 5 absolute best experiences in Milford Sound that will make sure you get the most out of your visit here!

The Best Things to do in Milford Sound, New Zealand 

1. Go on a Nature Cruise 

A nature cruise is without a doubt THE best thing to do in Milford Sound, and I personally love going on the smaller boats because you get to explore nooks and crannies that the bigger boats just can’t get to. I got close enough to the waterfalls to feel the spray! This also means that you get to see the fiord’s wildlife up close, and you’re likely to spot penguins, seals, and even dolphins! 

My favorite cruise is this 1 hour 45 minute boutique cruise experience. You get to see all of the highlights of Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park, like Mitre Peak and the gorgeous waterfalls, and you won’t have to battle with hoards of other passengers, because there’s a maximum of 75 people on board, which is only half of the vessel’s capacity. This means you’ve got plenty of space to relax and chill, either on deck or in the luxury indoor lounge.

There’s no food sold on board this cruise but since it only lasts for 2 hours, I don’t think that that’s a problem. But there are complimentary biscuits and hot drinks to warm you up along the way, and there’ll be a friendly skipper on board to explain what you’re seeing and teach you about the fiord’s wildlife.

It costs $169 NZD for adults and is available multiple times throughout the day. All in all, I think this is the best choice for a nature cruise in Milford Sound. And I’m not alone, just have a look at the 2,400+ 5-star reviews here!

Related Read: For more cruise options and ways to experience Milford Sound, check out my favorite tours here!

2. Take a Scenic Flight

Not only is taking a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound incredibly beautiful, but it’s also way quicker than driving. In fact, this round-trip plane tour allows you to fly to Milford Sound, enjoy a nature cruise, and then fly back to Queenstown in just half a day.

So if you’re short on time but don’t want to sacrifice the views Milford Sound is known for, I highly recommend this option. In fact, you’ll get even better views from the air!

One thing I love about this tour is how much time you get in the air. It’s about an hour to fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and another hour back, so you get two hours in the air. Not only are the aerial views of Milford Sound incredible, but you also get amazing views of Queenstown and the Southern Alps, too. I also really like the fact that you take a different flight path on the way home and get to see even more scenery. 

When you get to Milford Sound, you also get to enjoy a nature cruise. I never get tired of these, no matter how many times I travel to Milford Sound, and I’m sure that my future contains many more of them!

This tour is an incredible experience and an unbeatable way to experience Milford Sound. It costs $665 NZD per person, so it’s not cheap, but I do think it’s good value since you get two scenic flights, a nature cruise, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve paid a lot more for much shorter scenic flights elsewhere in the world, so I highly recommend booking a spot before it sells out!

Related Read: To learn more about this epic flight over Milford Sound, read my full review here!

3. Go on an Overnight Cruise 

Okay, so if you’ve made it this far, then you will have worked out that I have experienced Milford Sound in a lot of different ways. However, I think that this overnight cruise might just be the best of them all. 

This cruise only runs from December to April, and it’s the most luxurious Milford Sound cruise around. Most of them last for 2 hours during the day, but on this overnight cruise, you head out during the mid-afternoon and get to see the fiord after all of the other visitors have gone home and experience it at sunset and sunrise too!

It’s insanely cool, and the boat itself isn’t crowded either – it only carries around 20 passengers. Plus, there are fun activities included like kayaking, so you can get super close to the fiord and get an even deeper appreciation for its beauty.

And the boat itself isn’t to be sniffed at, either. In fact, it’s super luxurious. You get to sleep overnight in a king-sized cabin with huge windows, so you can enjoy amazing views from the comfort of your bed! 

I also had an amazing 3-course dinner which definitely exceeded my expectations, and after dinner, you get to watch underwater film footage. There’s also a hot tub on the roof of the boat, and since there are so few passengers on the boat, you can actually end your day with a peaceful soak and look up at the stars. 

It costs $1,199 NZD per person so it is pricey, but honestly, this is a bucket list experience and I thought it was totally worth it. It does book up months in advance (and I actually missed out a couple of times when I went to book!), so make sure you book ahead!

Related Read: If you want to know more about this overnight cruise, check out my full review of my overnight cruise experience here!

4. Stay at the Milford Lodge 

If the overnight cruise is a little too pricey for you, don’t worry, there is another way to stay at the Fiord overnight without breaking the bank!

Booking a night or two at the Milford Sound Lodge is a great option If you want to have more time in Milford Sound as well as visit at sunset or at night for stargazing.

The Milford Sound Lodge is only 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the Milford Foreshore. The next closest hotel is in Knobs Flat, about 55.1 kilometers (34.2 miles) away. Other than that, you will need to stay in Te Anau.  So it’s no surprise that the Milford Sound Lodge is the best option and that it books up quickly!

I’ve stayed at the Milford Lodge on a couple of different occasions, and let me tell you, experiencing Milford Sound during the evening is a completely different experience than during the day. It is so quiet and peaceful, I’ve even walked the foreshore without another person in sight! Plus the stargazing at night and watching the sunrise in the Fiord is out of this world.

I love that the Milford Sound Lodge provides accommodation for all different budgets. For a budget option, you can choose to camp for around $120 NZD a night, or you can stay in one of the luxury cabins for around $500+ NZD. Some of the in-between options include dorm beds, budget privates, and standard rooms. But all guests have access to the communal areas including a fully-stocked kitchen, hot showers, laundry, and living room. 

Related Read: If your travels are taking you to other parts of the country, check out my list of the best things to do in New Zealand here!

Where to Stay in Queenstown

Finding the right place to stay in Queenstown can be hard. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of awesome choices, but things book up fast! For that reason, I highly suggest booking your accommodation well in advance.

Honestly, during peak times, any of the best hotels in Queenstown will be fully booked several weeks in advance… you have been warned! To help you plan ahead, here are a few places I personally love and that would make an awesome place to stay in Queenstown.

Kamana Lakehouse – $$$

For a luxurious stay, I highly recommend Kamana Lakehouse. This hotel is located just on the outskirts of town. Although it’s super peaceful, it’s just a 5-minute drive into the center of town. The place overlooks both the lake and the mountains, and the onsite restaurant uses local, seasonal ingredients to create the freshest meals. To top it off, many of the rooms boast lake views, and some even have outdoor baths!

The trick will be snagging this for your dates (it’s a popular place!). Rooms start around the $400 NZD mark, and you can check availability and book online here.

La Quinta Queenstown – $$

If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel, then you should seriously consider La Quinta Queenstown. This beautiful hotel is right by the airport but still very quiet. Plus, the views are amazing (although you won’t find me recommending a place without great views!). The rooms are all studio or one-bedroom apartments, which is really handy if you want to cook or even just have breakfast in your room.

Prices start at $200 NZD and you can book online here.

Absoloot Hostel Queenstown – $

My top choice for budget travelers is the Absoloot Hostel Queenstown. This small hostel has dorm rooms and budget private rooms, and it’s really clean and comfortable. The location is in the heart of Queenstown – the window from the kitchen looks out over Lake Wakatipu!

Dorms are around $55 NZD, and private rooms begin around $210 NZD. The Absoloot Hostel is easily one of the top cheap hostels in Queenstown and can be booked on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.

Thanks for reading!

I hope this blog has helped you prepare for one of the best experiences in New Zealand! Seriously Milford Sounds leaves me in awe every time I visit and I can’t wait to go back. These Milford Sound activities will help make sure you maximize your time here and get to see all the highlights while you’re in New Zealand.

If you need more ideas for your upcoming trip, make sure to check out my other blogs on New Zealand. This country has captured my heart and I love exploring and sharing everything I discover!

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17 Things to KNOW Before Renting a Car in Queenstown

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