As one of the most spectacular areas of the Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a popular day trip destination. Thanks to the broad range of transportation options available, planning a day trip to Milford Sound is relatively simple. While there, you can soak in your surroundings by taking a cruise, before heading home and relaxing after an exciting day of taking in everything the area has to offer.
As one of the most spectacular areas of the Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a popular day trip destination. Thanks to the broad range of transportation options available, planning a day trip to Milford Sound is relatively simple. While there, you can soak in your surroundings by taking a cruise, before heading home and relaxing after an exciting day of taking in everything the area has to offer.
Driving to Milford Sound
It’s possible to drive to Milford Sound from as far away as Queenstown, giving you plenty of opportunities to take in everything you see on the way, before arriving on time for your cruise. This popular tourist route takes you down the State 94 highway, which allows you to see the Southern Alps and other areas of the Fiordland National Park.
In addition to driving from Queenstown, many visitors looking to make a day trip to Milford Sound on a budget take the Te Anau highway. If you’re choosing either option, do remember that there’s no phone signal for most of the journey. In addition, you need to make sure you set off at the right time to make your cruise.
Driving to Milford Sound
It’s possible to drive to Milford Sound from as far away as Queenstown, giving you plenty of opportunities to take in everything you see on the way, before arriving on time for your cruise. This popular tourist route takes you down the State 94 highway, which allows you to see the Southern Alps and other areas of the Fiordland National Park.
In addition to driving from Queenstown, many visitors looking to make a day trip to Milford Sound on a budget take the Te Anau highway. If you’re choosing either option, do remember that there’s no phone signal for most of the journey. In addition, you need to make sure you set off at the right time to make your cruise.
Checking Out the Fiordland National Park on Your Way to Milford Sound
If you really want to make a day of your visit, why not visit parts of the surrounding Fiordland National Park on your way or on the way back from Milford Sound? If you are an early riser and don’t mind stopping off on the way, head to the Mirror Lakes. Early in the morning, these lakes are beautifully still. They offer the perfect opportunity to see nature at its most peaceful while the sun comes up.
If either Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones are high on your viewing agenda, don’t miss the chance to see Knobs Flat. Knobs Flat is made of several glaciers that have worn down over the years, but still offer majestic scenery regardless. If you would like to learn more about the area, try visiting the Milford Sound Information Centre as you enter it.
Flying to Milford Sound for a Day Trip
If the idea of making your way across the State 94 Highway without phone signal doesn’t feel you with joy, you might want to consider flying to Milford Sound for a day trip. While this option is undoubtedly more expensive, it is a great time saver. In addition, you’re going to observe your surroundings in a undeniably spectacular light. Seeing the glaciers, waterfalls, and rock formations the area has to offer from the air is simply breathtaking.
Flights to Milford Sound are available through Air Milford, which is the only carrier to operate a 13-person turbo plane in the area. With each passenger having access to a window, the flight is both intimate and enjoyable. You’ll be able to see the scenery with ease, making a flight a worthwhile investment.
Taking a Helicopter to Milford Sound
Taking a helicopter to Milford Sound really is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of experience. Most helicopters set off from Queenstown, where they then transport you through the scenic surroundings of the Fiordland National Park, before landing you safely in Milford Sound for your cruise.
One of the most enjoyable luxuries associated with taking a helicopter is the privacy you gain while enjoying everything Milford Sound has to offer. If you don’t relish the idea of taking in its beauty with a load of strangers, a helicopter is the way forward.
Enjoying the Milford Sound Cruise When you Get There
Whether you choose to make your way there via land or air, you have an excellent opportunity to observe more of the area with a cruise. Whether the weather is glowing or it’s a little drizzly, Milford Sound is beautiful enough for it not to matter.
With a combination of unique rock formations that will remind you of scenes from The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit and the odd guest appearance from local wildlife like the Fiordland Crested Penguin, the time you take to reach Milford Sound will easily be worth it. Most cruises last around 90 minutes, giving you plenty of opportunities to soak in everything the area has to offer, before heading home to share your pictures with your friends.
