Milford Sound (also known by its Māori name, Piopiotahi) is a fjord in Fiordland National Park, in the Southland region of New Zealand's South Island. It is reached by road through the park and sits at the western end of the country's remote south-west corner.
The fjord is often described as the eighth wonder of the world, and the description makes sense once you see the place. Steep walls of rock rise directly out of the water, and peaks climb straight from the sea to considerable heights. Waterfalls spill down the faces of the cliffs, some of them falling in long, thin ribbons after rain. Dense rainforest covers much of the slopes, so the scenery is green, grey and dark blue in equal measure.
What a visit is like
Most visitors experience Milford Sound from the water. Boat cruises move slowly along the fjord, which gives you time to look up at the cliffs and the falls and to take in how closely the land and sea meet. Conditions change quickly here, and the weather can alter the mood of the view within minutes, so it is worth checking forecasts and allowing some flexibility in your plans.
Planning your trip
- Location: Milford Sound, Southland 9679, New Zealand
- Phone: +64 3 249 7416
- Getting there: The fjord lies deep within Fiordland National Park, so it is a destination in its own right rather than a stop on the way to somewhere else. Plan for a journey through the park.
- Around it: The surrounding national park is one of the largest protected areas in New Zealand, with rainforest walks and other natural features nearby.
Milford Sound suits visitors who want to spend an unhurried day on the water and in one of the least developed corners of the country. Bring warm layers and rain gear, whatever the forecast says, and allow time to simply look.