Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → The Southland →  Milford Sound

Location: West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Time Required: 1 day (most of which will likely be spent driving – this is okay because the drive is amazing)

Red Tape/Notes: There are a lot of sand flies here, so beware. You may want bug spray.

What’s Nearby?: Doubtful Sound, Kepler Track Day Walk

Milford Sound is iconic and you really shouldn’t leave the South Island without seeing it. If you get lucky, you’ll have clear skies. But it does rain 200 days out of the year, so your chances are less than 50%. It’s still worth it. Plus, the rain will make Stirling Falls run heavier, so that’s nice. Most people take a cruise when they arrive – there’s not a whole lot else to do (there are a couple of hikes, but nothing really memorable) so I suppose you might as well. I’ve never done one – I prefer the less-visited Doubtful Sound for cruising, and I also think the view from the boardwalk is the best view of Milford Sound you’re going to get. I have visited in a helicopter – this is a nice option since you get great aerial views and the helicopter will land and allow you time to enjoy the scenic boardwalk. This is also a nice, albeit pricy, option if you’re based in Queenstown, because you can avoid the 8 hour (!) roundtrip drive.

The really nice thing about Milford Sound, though, is that as beautiful as it is when you get to the destination, the drive is equally as enjoyable (at least, the portion from Te Anau on). It’s just a series of breathtaking views, one after the other, until you arrive at Milford Sound.  There are several nice stops along the way that are great for stretching your legs either to or from the sound: Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel Ice Field, and The Chasm.

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Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → The Southland →  Milford Sound