Ever wondered how to get from Queenstown to Milford Sound? This guide will show you how to have the best Milford Sounds day trip from Queenstown and what you’ll see along the way.
Milford Sound is one of those places everyone tells you not to miss, but no one really explains how exhausting it can be to get there. Long drive, unpredictable weather, early starts, and a dozen tour options that all sound the same.
I visited Milford Sound on a full-day trip from Queenstown, and this guide is for you if you’re short on time but still want to experience it properly. I’ll walk you through what the day actually looks like, the best way to get there, what stops are worth it, and whether a one-day trip is truly enough.
Queenstown to Milford Sound: Your 3 Best Ways to Get There
There are three realistic ways to get from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and each fits a different type of traveler.
1: Flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound (Bucketlist Experience)
If time and budget allow, flying is hands down the most spectacular option. Reserve a Scenic Flight from Queenstown to Milford for aerial views of the Southern Alps, glaciers, and Fiordland National Park, and avoid the long drive entirely!
The flight includes a landing at Milford Sound and combines it with a cruise.
2. Guided Bus Tour from Queenstown (Best Value + Least Stress)
This is the option I personally chose. Bus tours include scenic stops along the way, a Milford Sound cruise, and return transport in one long but well-organised day.
Book this premium small group tour & cruise trip if you want to see Milford Sound with a few people, without worrying about road conditions, parking, or timing.
3. Self-Drive from Queenstown (Most Flexible)
Renting a car in Queenstown gives you full control over stops and pace, but it’s also the most demanding option. The drive is long, weather-dependent, and you’ll need to be comfortable driving mountain roads.
If you go this route, I recommend booking a small boutique cruise at Milford Sound instead of the large boats.
Still unsure? Choose the guided tour. If time is tight, choose the flight. If freedom matters most, self-drive.
Queenstown to Milford Sound route with key stops
Where to Stay for a Queenstown to Milford Sound Day Trip
So, if you’re thinking about spending more time in the Milford Sound area, you totally can!
Luxury: Melbourne Lodge is a cozy spot just a 5-minute walk from Queenstown’s center. You’ll find private rooms, budget options, and even self-contained studios and apartments, some with mountain views.
Mid-range: The Central Private Hotel by Naumi Hotels offers a boutique accommodation experience in the heart of Queenstown. With its stylish and contemporary design, this hotel provides a cozy retreat for people looking to immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of the city.
Book your hotel in Queenstown early here!
Best Places to See Visiting Milford Sound
One of the best trips you can do on the South Island of New Zealand is to visit the vast Fiordland National Park. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the Milford Sound area.
The tour starts as early as 9.15 am from the bus station in Queenstown centre or your hotel. I’m not gonna lie, the drive takes a long time. It’s supposed to be 5 hours 45 minute,s so you would arrive at the Milford Wharf at 3.00 pm.
Te Anau
The first stop is at lunchtime in the town of Te Anau, considered the gateway to the Fiordland National Park. I ventured off from where the bus stopped, towards the lake and grabbed a decent veggie wrap at Lakefront Café.
Eglington Valley – Knobs Flat
The first sightseeing stop was at Knobs Flat, in the Eglington Valley. Carved out by glaciers, it’s one of the few areas in New Zealand where you can find large areas of lowland beech forest. Furthermore, there are more than 30 rare, endangered or threatened plant and animal species, which you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
Mirror Lakes
Another beautiful stop in the Eglington Valley is the Mirror Lakes. One of the best places to catch a reflection of the surrounding Earl Mountain, permitting it’s a wind-calm day.
To see the Lake, you’ll walk along a well-maintained boardwalk.
Monkey Creek
Continuing from there, we stopped at Monkey Creek – my favourite spot along the route! It’s snow-covered mountains everywhere you look, the creek fed by the glacier and a pristine environment make it a special place.
If you are lucky, you can even spot the Kea, New Zealand’s alpine parrot, or the Rare Whio (blue duck), which lives in the creek.
From there, the scenery gets more and more dramatic – numerous small waterfalls crashing down the enormous mountain slopes, patches of snow revealing recent avalanches.
The Chasm
The final stop before reaching Milford Sound is at The Chasm. From the car park, it’s a stroll through tranquil native bush, with many typical New Zealand ferns. The closer you get to the chasm, the louder the sound of the gushing waterfalls becomes, disappearing through the rocks.
Milford Sound – Fiordland National Park
Often described as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound is actually a fjord. Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, it’s known for cliffs that rise vertically from the ocean and waterfalls that drop from as high as 1000 metres into the sea.
The cruise lasts about 60 – 75 minutes and brings you out towards the opening of the Tasman Sea.
The strong winds, I think it accentuated the experience and you could truly feel the forces of nature, the roughness of the place.
Stirling Falls
It’s on the return that the ship stops at the mighty Stirling Falls. It’s one of Milford’s two permanent waterfalls, dropping down a stunning 151 metres. This, by the way, is three times the height of the Niagara Falls! Who knew?
Seeing the falls from afar was just as stunning as when we got up close. Just before reaching it comes a huge rock with New Zealand fur seals resting on them. Super cool!
Once the boat gets to the falls, you might get a bit wet.
Bowen Falls
Just before the wharf, you’ll pass the giant Lady Bowen Falls – Milford’s tallest waterfall. Created by the Bowen River that gushes down a 161-metre-high cliff, it provides electricity for the township of Milford.
Where to Stay If You Want to Extent Your Stay at Milford Sound
If you want to slow the experience down and stay overnight inside Fiordland National Park, have a look at these options:
If you love being onboard a cruise and waking up to the sight of the fjord, make sure to reserve a spot on this Overnight Milford Sound Cruise! Sleep in a cozy cabin, indulge in 3 course buffet, paddle out with a kayak and explore the Fjords with more time and only few people around.
Milford Sound Lodge is right in the heart of the action, offering luxurious and cozy chalets, ideal if you love design and attentive service. It’s pretty sweet to wake up surrounded by all that stunning scenery.
Just next door, you can find Milford Sound Lodge Campervan Park, the one-and-only campervan site in the area.
If you only have one day to spare while traveling through New Zealand’s South Island, this Queenstown to Milford Sound trip is one of those experiences that genuinely lives up to the hype. It’s long, yes, but the scenery, the stops along the way, and the cruise through the fiord make it more than worth the effort.
If you’re short on time in the South Island, the Queenstown to Milford Sound day trip is one of those experiences that’s absolutely worth it. The drive is long, but the scenery, the stops, and the cruise through the fiord make it unforgettable.
If you’re continuing your journey, this trip fits easily into my 10-day New Zealand South Island itinerary, which links Milford Sound with places like Queenstown, Abel Tasman, and the West Coast. For a slower contrast after the mountains, New Zealand’s wine regions are a great next stop, while Abel Tasman National Park is perfect if you’re craving beaches and coastal walks.
Women Travel Essentials I Can’t Live Without
Travel Insurance
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Looking for more New Zealand Ideas?
For all my cover lovers, have a look at this coffee journey through Wellington.
If yoga is your thing, here I’ve compiled Wellington’s best yoga studios you have to try!
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