Milford Sound
Your ultimate guide to the best sights and photo stops along two of New Zealand’s most spectacular wilderness experiences.
Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, Fiordland National Park stands as one of the world’s most pristine wilderness areas, and home to two of the country’s most celebrated experiences: the legendary Milford Track and the breathtaking Milford Sound. Within a UNESCO World Heritage site, these locations offer visitors an unparalleled opportunity to witness spectacular landscapes, from ancient rainforests to towering waterfalls.
Here are some of the most legendary landscapes we encourage you to visit on the Milford Track and Milford Sound.
Sights along the Milford Track
The 53.5-kilometre Milford Track winds through a diverse and dramatic landscape that showcases the raw beauty of Fiordland’s wilderness. Typically done as a four-day hiking experience, the walk is a challenging undertaking and requires some level of fitness to navigate. Southern Discoveries offers a way to experience a day walk on the Milford Track with the Milford Sound Cruise & Milford Track experience, which includes a self-guided walk along the final section of the track.
Giant Gate Falls
When doing the Milford Track day walk, Giant Gate Falls is a spectacular lunch spot and turn around point. This impressive waterfall cascades down a narrow gorge between towering granite walls. The best place for a photo at Giant Gate Falls is the swing bridge in front of the falls, which offers an unobstructed view of the 30-metre waterfall.
Arthur Valley: Rainforest Paradise
Returning from Giant Gate Falls to Sandfly Point (and the end of the track) the trail traverses the Arthur Valley and presents a different landscape from other sections of the Milford Track. This temperate rainforest feels like stepping back in time with its massive tree ferns, moss-covered rocks and valley floor carpeted with ferns and native grasses. Alongside the track, the Arthur River cuts through the landscape as the rainforest opens up dramatically to reveal a glimpse of Milford Sound itself, and another amazing photo opportunity.
Sights in Milford Sound
While the Milford Track provides an intimate rainforest experience, Milford Sound offers a completely different perspective on Fiordland. This 16-kilometre fiord, carved by glacial activity over millions of years, presents some of the biggest and most photographed landscapes in New Zealand.
Mitre Peak: An iconic Fiordland sight
Rising 1,692 metres from the fiord, Mitre Peak stands as Milford Sound’s most recognisable landmark. This pyramid-shaped peak often creates a captivating reflection in the waters of the fiord, particularly during the early morning hours when the water is mirror-calm. The peak’s dramatic profile changes throughout the day as light changes, offering photographers and sightseers opportunities to capture its beauty. Mitre Peak is best viewed from the water on a Milford Sound cruise.
Stirling and Bowen Falls
Milford Sound’s towering cliffs are dotted with waterfalls, with Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls being some of the most impressive. These permanent waterfalls cascade down sheer rock faces, often creating rainbow effects in the mist. During heavy rainfall, temporary waterfalls appear throughout the fiord, transforming the already dramatic landscape into an even more spectacular sight.
The Tasman Sea gateway: Where fiord meets ocean
At the mouth of Milford Sound, visitors witness the meeting point where the protected waters of the fiord encounter the wild Tasman Sea. This convergence creates unique atmospheric conditions and often spectacular weather displays. The contrast between the sheltered waters of the fiord and the ocean water highlights the power of this extraordinary landscape.
Plan your Milford adventure
Both the Milford Track and Milford Sound offer distinct but complementary experiences of Fiordland. The track provides a journey through diverse ecosystems, while Milford Sound offers the chance to view a dramatic fiord landscape, a rare sight for many. Together, they represent what makes Fiordland one of the world’s most remarkable wilderness areas, with its combination of ancient forests, alpine passes, cascading waterfalls, and mirror-like fiords and the very essence of New Zealand’s wild beauty.
To see both of these locations in one day, book the Milford Sound Cruise & Milford Sound Track here.
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