Milford Sound, known as the unofficial 8th Wonder of the World, is often hailed as New Zealand’s most stunning natural attraction.
Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is home to rugged landscapes, mountain peaks, fiords, waterfalls, and some of the best hiking tracks in the world.
Most travelers visit Milford Sound as a day trip from Queenstown, but I’m here to tell you that you NEED to stay overnight. It’s practically illegal not to spend as much time here as possible. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of spending three nights in this corner of Aotearoa, and it was one of the best weekends of my entire life.
I’m a big, max-out-your-24-hours kind of traveler, so it’s not often I leave a place feeling as though my time there is unfinished. But I remember driving away from Fiordland, unable to take my eyes away from the tops of her mountains, feeling lucky to live in New Zealand and knowing I’d be back for more. However, most people only get the chance to visit Milford Sound once in their lifetime. So, I want to help you make the most of it!
This blog post will help you plan your Milford Sound itinerary, including road trip stops from Queenstown, accommodations, must-visit hiking tracks, and tours you cannot miss.
How to get to Milford Sound
Getting to Milford Sound is straightforward; it just requires a bit of planning. There are two ways to get there: either rent a car/campervan and drive, or join one of the tours departing Queenstown.
I am Team Drive all day long. Driving yourself gives you time to go at your own pace, stop at one of the many beautiful locations along the way, and explore some of the best hiking trails in the world. If you want the most flexibility, opt to pick up a campervan when you arrive in Queenstown. Having access to a campervan will give you access to some of the amazing campsites along Milford Road!
If you’re not keen on driving, or simply want to avoid planning anything, an organised tour may be the right choice for you. However, keep in mind that these tours are designed to get you from Point A to Point B and won’t allow you to choose where you stop or complete many of the best hikes in Milford Sound.
Where to stay in Milford Sound
One of the most amazing accommodation options I’ve ever stayed at is the Milford Lodge. Located in the heart of Milford Sound, the Milford Lodge combines adventure with ultimate luxury where you can choose between Mountain View Chalets or Premium campsites.
But it’s not cheap. A powered campsite will set you back $100 per night, and the chalets start at $525. However, I do think the price is worth it, at least for a night, to really enjoy the best of Fiordland National Park.
During your stay, enjoy world-class dining at Pio Pio Restaurant and breakfast delivered straight to your door each morning. Milford Lodge also offers relaxation and adventure packages depending on your taste to really max out your Milford Sound experience.
If you’re after a more affordable option and have a campervan, you’re in for a TREAT. Milford Road is dotted with DOC Campsites like Cascade Creek and Upper Eglington.
If you’re unfamiliar with DOC campsites, they’re cheap, basic sites with shelters and long-drop toilets. They have some of the best views of any campsite I’ve ever stayed at (and I’ve stayed at a lot!).
I spent one night at Cascade Creek on my way to Milford Sound, and it was beautiful. Although basic, the site boasts phenomenal views of the surrounding mountains and costs just $15 per night. Both campsites are approximately 45 minutes from the heart of Milford Sound, so you’ll need to drive in, but it’s worth considering if you’re traveling on a budget.
3 day Milford Sound itinerary
This sample itinerary is based on driving versus traveling with a tour group. I’m also assuming you’ll have rented a campervan, as it’s truly the best way to see New Zealand. If you are traveling with a car, feel free to email me, and I’ll give you a more personalised recommendation.
Day 1: Queenstown to Milford Sound
There are so many amazing places to stop on your road trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and if you want to miss the crowds, I recommend you leave early. We left Queenstown at 6:30 am, which was perfect as we saw very few people and had most viewpoints to ourselves!
Best Places to Stop Between Queenstown and Milford Sound:
- Lake Gunn North Lookout: As you can tell, I’m a fan of road trip stops! Lake Gunn is one of Fiordland’s best-kept secrets and another beautiful place to stop for 10-15 minutes. There are also toilets here, just in case!
- Devil’s Staircase: This lookout is easy to find on Google Maps and has one of the most impressive views on the way to Milford Sound.
- Lake Wakatipu Lookout: Located in Kingston, this is another lookout point that gives you a different perspective of the famous Lake Wakatipu.
- Mossburn: Fill up your car/campervan here before continuing your drive. Mossburn has (by far) the cheapest fuel you’ll come across.
- Te Anau: If you missed stopping in Mossburn, buy your fuel in Te Anau. Try and avoid buying all of your petrol in Milford Sound as, while there is a fuel pump, it’s eye-wateringly expensive. Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland and, while small, has a beautiful lake (Lake Te Anau) to walk along, Fiordland Visitors Centre, restaurants, cafes, shops, and a supermarket.
- Eglington Riverside: If you’re into social media and photography, this is where you’ll find the iconic shot of Lake Te Anau from the wharf.
- Eglington Valley: Lord of the Rings fans, this one’s for you. Not only is Eglington Valley out-of-this-world beautiful, but it’s also home to the Eglinton Mountains, which represented the Misty Mountains in the Fellowship of the Ring. If you do stop here, be careful as although the road doesn’t look like it, it’s still a State Highway, and cars travel fast!
- Mirror Lakes: After a long stretch in the car, you’ll reach Mirror Lakes. If you’re visiting on a still day, the lakes provide a beautiful reflection of the mountains above. If the weather isn’t on your side, this is still a lovely place to stop and stretch your legs.
At 1 pm, pull into The Divide carpark ready to hike Key Summit. In my opinion, Key Summit is one of the best short day hikes in New Zealand and will take around 3 hours to complete. There’s a short ascent at the start of the track, but other than that, nothing too strenuous. You’ll follow a series of switchbacks before reaching the top, where you’ll get beautiful, expansive views over the landscapes below.
When I did this hike, it was September, the track was covered in snow and felt like being inside a snow globe!
After hiking Key Summit, jump back in the car and head to Cascade Creek campsite, where you’ll spend the night. It’s only 15 minutes from The Divide and, in my opinion, the perfect place to relax. There are a few trails around the campsite if you wanted to keep exploring; otherwise, relax, crack open a beer, and eat your dinner beneath the peaks of Fiordland’s mountains.
Day 2: Hiking to Lake Marian
Start your day with breakfast at camp and then drive to Lake Marian Carpark, located off Lower Hollyford Road. The carpark is fairly small, so I’d recommend getting here early. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, Lake Marian is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes I’ve ever set eyes on.
I saw my first photo of Lake Marian on Instagram in 2016 and thought about it weekly until we visited in 2022. In fact, I still think about it today and can’t wait to visit again. It’s the view that made me fall in love with the thought of the South Island!
The Lake Marian Trail is a moderate, 10km return hike that takes around 3 hours to complete. It’s muddy and steep in a few sections, but nothing too bad. The biggest thing to watch out for is how uneven the track is—definitely watch your step! However, any amount of effort would have been worth it for me to see the view at the end of the track. It’s not often I’m rendered speechless, but Lake Marian left me without words.
Factor enough time into your day to be able to sit by the lakeside for a little while, and then return to the carpark along the same track. Once you’re back at the trailhead, continue heading in the direction of Milford Sound, making a short detour to see the Chasm (a waterfall) before reaching Homer Tunnel.
Homer Tunnel is a 1.2km tunnel that runs straight through the Darran Mountain Range and connects Milford Sound to Queenstown and Te Anau. Before Homer Tunnel, there was no road connection to Milford Sound, and it took 19 years to complete!
Quite often, you’ll need to wait at the traffic lights to pass through Homer Tunnel as it’s a one-way system. We waited for about 20 minutes, but there’s so much to see from the car window that you won’t feel like you’re wasting any time. Drive onto Milford Sound. By the time you arrive, it should be around 1 pm, so park your car at Deepwater Basin carpark and walk the Milford Sound Trail. This walk is completely flat and takes you along the foreshore and past the iconic Milford Sound swing.
Check into the Milford Sound Lodge, have dinner and a glass of something you fancy at Pio Pio Restaurant, and then fall into bed for another big day tomorrow.
Day 3: Exploring Milford Sound
Today’s a less-hike, more-view kind of day that I can imagine my parents liking. I really recommend spending two nights at the Milford Sound Lodge to max out your time in the heart of Milford Sound. It will also give you enough time to relax and explore at a slow pace.
Have breakfast delivered to your room (or make your own if you’re staying in the campervan!) and then walk down to the Milford Sound foreshore. There is a track that connects the lodge and cruise terminal, so there’s no risk of you getting lost. The track is beautiful, flat, and takes about 30 minutes each way. So I’d recommend leaving about an hour before your cruise to give yourselves lots of time.
There are a few different ways to explore the fjords, but the most popular are with a Milford Sound cruise or a kayaking trip. We did a cruise with Mitre Peak Cruises and LOVED it, but there are loads of different tour operators to choose from.
The thing we loved about Mitre Peak is that the boat was much smaller than the other vessels, which meant we got up close and personal with the waterfalls and saw wildlife like dolphins and seals! The cruise we took departed at 10:30 and set us back just $80pp, which I think is a REALLY good deal considering it’s 3 hours long with free tea and coffee on board!
I can’t stress enough how amazing this day was. Everything from the staff to the views was world-class, and I’d recommend it to any of my family and friends. It’s one of the best things to do in Milford Sound. The rest of the day here is for relaxing! Snuggle up with a good book at Milford Sound Lodge, explore some of the other walking tracks in the area, and treat yourself to another dinner at Pio Pio Restaurant.
Day 4: Kayaking Adventure
You’ve got to squeeze in one more bucket list activity whilst you’re in Milford Sound, and there’s no better way to do that than with a kayak cruise. If you thought yesterday was up-close-and-personal, you’re in for a treat. Book the Milford Cruiser with Rosco’s Milford Kayaks, a 2-hour tour of the fjords complete with postcard views of Milford and Lady Bowen Falls.
The trip departs at 8 am (or 9 am in the summer) and returns at midday, just in time for lunch. It’s suitable for all levels of experience (or no experience!) and is designed to allow you to explore at a leisurely pace. Bookings will set you back $175, so it’s not cheap, but worth it if you’re after unbeatable views.
In the early afternoon, say goodbye to Milford Sound and head back in the direction of Queenstown or your next destination! I hope this weekend was as good for you as it was for me.
Notes to Home 
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