Fiordland's iconic Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is one of the world's great natural wonders—a dramatic fjord carved by glaciers and flanked by 1,200-metre vertical cliffs plunging into dark waters. The drive through the Eglinton Valley, past Mirror Lakes, through the 1.2km Homer Tunnel, and down to the fiord is itself spectacular. A cruise on the fiord takes 1.5-2 hours and passes magnificent Stirling and Bowen Falls, fur seal colonies, and dramatic peaks.
| Distance | 295 km each way |
|---|---|
| Travel time | Full day (14-16 hours as day trip) |
| Difficulty | Long day but manageable |
| Address | Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, Southland 9679 |
Suggested itinerary
- Depart Queenstown 6:30am → Te Anau township (fuel stop, 1.5h) → Mirror Lakes (photo stop, 2.5h) → Homer Tunnel (3.5h) → Milford Sound arrival (4.5h) → Cruise 12:30pm → Lunch at Sound → Depart 2:30pm → Queenstown return 7:30pm
Location
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, Southland 9679
Highlights
- Mirror Lakes in the Eglinton Valley (photograph in still morning air)
- Homer Tunnel - carved through solid rock in the 1950s
- Stirling Falls - 155m waterfall flowing directly into the fiord
- Fur seal colonies on rocky outcrops
- Mitre Peak - the iconic 1,692m pyramid
- Milford Sound cruise (1.5-2 hours)
Tips for visiting
- Coach tours are highly recommended—the drive is long and tiring both ways
- Rain actually enhances Milford Sound by creating hundreds of temporary waterfalls on the cliffsides
- Book well in advance in summer—cruises fill up
- Bring warm clothes for the cruise even in summer
- Sandfly repellent is essential at the Milford Sound foreshore
- Fly-cruise-fly option (fly in, cruise, fly back) is available from Queenstown Airport