Milford Sound

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Milford Sound Regional Information

The road to Milford Sound is widely held as one of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine drives. Situated at the southwest corner of the South Island, the Sound falls within the Fiordland National Park, classified as a World Heritage site. The Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland and provides a dramatic setting with sheef cliffs rising from the water, rainforests growing on these rock faces, and diverse wildlife in its waters. The Maori name for the area is Piopiotahi, meaning 'first native thrush.'

To experience this beautiful place to its fullest, boat and canoe tours are offered by several outfits and scenic flights give visitors an aerial view of this dramatic landscape. An underwater observatory provides a chance to see the world which lies beneath the water's surface. Wildlife, including New Zealand fur seals, Fiordland crested penguins and bottlenose dolphins, can be observed in their natural habitat throughout the region.

The Milford Sound area can also be explored on foot via the Milford, Kepler, Hollyford and Routeburn walking tracks. The Milford Track stretches over 50 kilometres and takes hikers into the heart of the Fiordland National Park, beginning at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishing at Milford Sound. The track was originally one of the two trails used by Maori to journey to and from Fiordland, where they collected precious pounamu, or greenstone. Today, the Milford Track is one of the most widely known in the country and is walked by over 14,000 trampers annually.

Navigate with our great Milford Sound map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region.

For more information on Milford Sound, visit Destination Fiordland.