Milford Sound, Most Beautiful Fjord on Earth.

At the South-west of the Southland region, on the South Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Fiordland's 14 fjords, just like the famous Doubtful Sound.

Naked bus offers a day trip from Queenstown, or just a half day trip from Te Anau.Naked Bus

I found this map of the Department of Conservation of New Zealand that should be useful.Milford Road Itinerary

State Highway 94 is the only road to reach the Milford Sound. Check out the official website which gives many practical advice.Speed Highway 94

This is a 300 km drive with a stopover in Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland.

During busy times, there are almost 40 buses that run daily between 11 am and 3 pm. Expect traffic jams at the Homer Tunnel. This is a real problem that could eventually be solved by restricting access.

Milford Sound is 121 km from Te Anau (the nearest town).

I remind you that this is not a highway. This is a rather narrow road which often winds during the last section. As nature is grand, travelers roll at their own pace. One must expect other vehicles to slow down when a landscape reveals itself. Let pass those who roll faster than you and be on your guard during the last part of the journey, especially in winter! Statistics reveal that there are many more accidents here than in the rest of the country.

There is no gas station on the route and it will be necessary to wait to reach the Milford Sound in order to refuel (gasoline or diesel). Do not bet on luck, and fill up your tank at Te Anau before you leave.

Many tour operators offer overflights of the fjord by plane followed by a traditional cruise with a guide on board.

Other projects are under consideration, such as a 35 km cable car or a new tunnel. But the strong opposition from environmentalists and the astronomical cost (between 100 and 300 million dollars) has blocked all projects for years.

In the Maori language, this means "The pounamu land". The Pounamu being this green rock that looks like the jade and which you can buy as a souvenir in most New Zealand shops.

The explorer John Grono baptized this place as a tribute to the natural harbor of "Milford Haven" in Wales.

The legend says that the legendary hero Maui after having taught men how to make fire wanted to make them immortal. But he was defeated by the goddess of death "Hine-nui-te-po" and died while releasing into the air a bird (Piopio in Maori). The name "Piopiotahi" means "a single bird" in the Maori language.

The Maori explored Milford Sound around the beginning of the first millennium in search of Pounamu to make jewelry or weapons. Many centuries later, Captain Cook noted the presence of what he considered as a small cove on November 11, 1770.

Two Maori tribes were involved in hundreds of battles in the region. Only one tribe survived but disappeared in the forest. In 1935, many people still believed that survivors were hidden away from civilization. Nowadays, footprints discovered in the forest revive the rumor again from time to time.

This legendary European explorer was the first to settle on the shore of the Milford Sound in 1877. Was this former mercenary trying to escape someone? Had the war discouraged him from living among mankind? Still, after living as a hermit for years with his dog's only company, he eventually married a widow and founded a small hotel. To the first tourists discovering a region that he was the only one to know, Sutherland told stories of sea monsters and lost valleys filled with treasures.

A gold rush started in 1886 following rumors. Nearly 200 prospectors searched the ground in vain.

It means "whale resting on the sea". The English name comes from Captain Stirling.

Real Journeys offers 12 departures per day. Prefer the exit of 2h30 on the smallest boat outside peaks of affluence. It is also possible to stay overnight on board ships equipped with cabins such as the Wanderer or the Milford Mariner. Equally renowned, Great Sights offers the same range of services. In all cases, it is necessary to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.Real JourneysGreat SightsMitre PeakCruize Milford

The Tawaki Dive tour lasts 3 hours. An experienced guide will take you to dive twice for 30 minutes underwater.Tawaki Dive

If your tour leaves Te Anau, yes without a doubt. But if you arrive from Queenstown  the long drive by car or by bus adds a good deal of fatigue.

Admission costs $28 per adult and $14 per child.

No, because it is a marine platform, accessible only by boat. This tour is offered as an option by most cruises companies.

It is a visit of about 30 minutes which may seem short if there are many visitors. I do not recommend you to register for this visit at peak times.

The Milford Track was the first path between Te Anau and the Milford Sound. Partially built by convicts, it took considerable effort for six months. From the beginning of the 20th century, the trek began to attract tourists from all over the world. This gorgeous path has since been considered as the most beautiful in the world by travel guides.

A good level of fitness is required, as it is necessary to cross at least 20 km per day on a terrain often difficult. Shelters are often crowded and you have to guard against the sandflies. It is not an insurmountable route (far from it), but one must be a minimum trained and know his limits.

Huts welcome hikers for the night. They offer running water, toilets and showers. By paying more, you can enjoy more comfortable rooms. Please note that camping is not permitted all along the path.

Spring and summer are recommended (from October to March in New Zealand) even if the hike is not closed in autumn and winter. But winter requires a higher training level and adequate equipment, as the shelters are neither managed nor heated, and the trails are not maintained.

Booking is mandatory and must be done on the website of the Department of Conservation (DOC). As the hike is only open to 40 people per day, you have to book well in advance. The reservation includes the price for 3 nights in the huts. The rate varies depending on the date, and one will usually pay between $50 and $150 plus an optional transportation from Te Anau (about $25).Booking Milford Track

Ultimate Hikes is a company that owns its own luxury refuges. The company ensures the transport of your backpack between the stages and prepares your meals. In other words, you only have to walk with or without a guide. Of course, this "luxury" comes at a high price, which is $1740 per adult and $1540 per child from October to April.Ultimate Hikes

The Milford Lodge is the only hotel on site. Its access is indicated by a post sign before the parking entrance. It has a dormitory and 16 rooms with views of the fjord.Milford Lodge

The Blue Duck Café is the only restaurant close to the Milford Sound. You can even buy raincoats and repellents to protect yourself from the Sandflies. The food is not so bad but you choose the Fish'n chips.

The Milford Lodge has a tiny shop that sells the basic food and some travel memories.

There are about ten campsites spread along SH 94, but none at Milford Sound.

Firstly, because the lake is beautiful. Secondly, the visit to the glowworm caves of Te Anau is worth a visit. Thirdly, because it is the closest town to the famous Milford Sound.

It rains two days out of three, but the weather is not particularly cold. In summer the average is 18 ° C and 12 ° C the rest of the year. In fine weather, you will see the snow-capped mountains. A little mist adds to the magic of the place, contrary to a thick fog. During the cruise, it is especially the wind that must be feared, but you can shelter in the cabins when it blows too hard.

As usual in New Zealand, several layers of light clothing will do the trick. The raincoat is imperative even if you expecting beautiful weather. Approaching cascades without waterproof clothes, means to get soaked.

It should be remembered that the majority of visitors arrive from Queenstown around 11 am and leave in the middle of the afternoon. Therefore, it is necessary to arrive outside this period to avoid the crowd.

Yes, but you will need to have chains in your trunk (even if it does not snow). You risk a fine of $750 otherwise. Chains can be rented at most gas stations of Te Anau for around $20. The main reason being that the road is dangerous especially at the level of the Homer Tunnel, with ice on the road during winter.

Yes, even though there are only a few thousand parrots of this species endemic to New Zealand. The Kea perfectly understood that man is a strange kind of animal, walking in a group with food in backpacks. I insist on the fact that it is strictly forbidden to feed them, because the survival of the species depends on it.

The kea is not a pigeon or a domestic animal. It does not attack the man, but you risk a deep cut if you have the absurd idea of feeding him by handing him some food.

These are essentially Big Bottlenose dolphins.

The closest iSite is in Te Anau on Lakefront Drive. It welcomes travelers every day from 8:30 am to 6 pm from November to April, and from 8:30 am to 4 pm from May to October. There is no iSite at Milford Sound, but you can ask questions to the various cruises companies on site.

Parking is free.

These microscopic sandflies are a source of endless itching. The Maori regarded them as the guardians of Milford Sound. There is a very effective repellent on sale everywhere. You will learn much more by reading our Doubtful Sound article.

I recommend putting the repellent before you even leave the hotel. Do not wait to get in the car to do it. The sandflies will be present all the time as soon as the rain stops. Quite often, visitors invite them into their vehicles without even noticing it.

The charm is largely due to the forest that must be crossed. There are no fewer than 700 varieties of plants and trees, including the famous Totara which can live a thousand years. The Rimu, a hundred-year-old tree which grows up to 40 meters are surrounded by giant ferns and covered with moss. The view of the lake is at the height of the entire region: exceptional.

It takes about twenty minutes to reach the point of view.

The road is very narrow over 1.2 km in total. Alternative traffic has been introduced to avoid accidents. Turn on your lights and stay tuned. Beware of glare by returning to daylight. Last detail but important: the crossing is free!

The rock is particularly hard and the 1,2 km structure begun in 1935 was only completed in 1954 after several abandonments. During the work, three men were even killed by avalanches.