A visit to the unique Milford Sound should be high on your bucket list. I bet many travelers immediately think of it when the word New Zealand comes to the table. However, by being such a wild and isolated place, it requires a little bit of planning before getting there.
HOW TO GET THERE
Milford Sound is located in the Fiordland National Park, which receives a high amount of rainfall throughout the year. Here the weather is very unpredictable and can get pretty rough. Queenstown is approximately 288 km far from Milford Sound, a drive that takes 4 to 5 hours to complete, so do expect an extenuating day if you decide to go as a day trip. If you prefer, there are lots of companies who do tours to the site and you’ll be able to enjoy the day stress-free and without having to drive it all the way.
Another option would be to stay for the night at the nearest town, Te Anau, where the only road to Milford Sounds begins. Also, there are boat cruises that have over-night options where you can wake up in a once-in-a-lifetime scenery.
As we were short in time, wanted to enjoy Queenstown, and needed to take a break from long car drives, we’ve decided to go crazy and book a scenic flight with AirMilford. The whole experience took us around 4 hours, including the round trip flight to Milford Sound, and a 1-hour boat cruise.
The best things you can do while in Milford Sound
Joining a boat cruise is probably one of the most popular things to do there. It’s a great way to explore the surroundings, spot some wildlife, and learn more about this spectacular place.
As everywhere you go in New Zealand, you’ll find tons of walks and hiking trails. From the world-famous Milford track which takes 5 days to complete to the 20-minutes Milford Foreshore Walk, there are plenty of options.
If you prefer to do something more out of the box, you can experience a guided Kayak adventure, join a scuba diving tour or jump aboard a sailboat!
Our experience with airmilford
Deciding to take a scenic flight to visit Milford Sound was the best option for us. After doing some extensive research regarding what company to choose from, we went for AirMilford and it ended up being an amazing experience.
It is a family-owned and administered aviation company with a 100% safety record and operating since 2000. They provide a range of different flightseeing options, which you can consult on their website, being the Milford Sound area their specialty. We’ve booked the option 2 which combines the flights and the nature cruise.
They recommend you schedule the trip for your very first day in Queenstown since there are big chances the weather will be unfavorable for flying and you would have the possibility to postpone it for the next day. We were extremely lucky since both our flights and cruise were the only ones operating that day due to a sudden change of weather conditions.
The whole experience was flawless and worth every cent. Every member of the staff made us feel comfortable and in good hands. During the cruise, we were lucky enough to see seals and yellow hair penguins relaxing at the sea surface, making it even a more unique adventure. If you’re already convinced, start saving up those extra dollars as we can assure you won’t regret it. Those memories will stick with you forever.
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