Ever wondered how to get from Queenstown to Milford Sounds? 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 Sounds was one of those places I had seen in so many photos beforehand, that it became a must-see for me. Even when you’re short on time, it’s totally possible to do in one day from Queenstown.
(Updated Jan 2024)
Queenstown to Milford Sounds: Adventurous Day Trip
As an extension of my 10-day itinerary of the South Island of New Zealand, I decided to leave from Queenstown to Milford Sounds.
Milford Sounds, located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. It is one of the country’s most iconic and visited tourist destinations, known for its towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and pristine fiords.
Queenstown, considered the world’s adventure capital, is attracting 3 million visitors each year. The main draw for people is mostly their world-class skiing and snowboarding, bungee jumping, various water activities and the nearby wine trails.
For anybody thinking of going to Milford Sound within the Fiordland National Park keep reading on what to see along the way, costs and timings.
How to Get from Queenstown to Milford Sounds
You have a few ways of how to get from Queenstown to Milford Sounds:
Self-driving: Many people choose to rent a car and drive from Queenstown to Milford Sounds. The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours one way, depending on weather and road conditions. The route passes through stunning scenery, including lakes, mountains, and forests. Be sure to plan for stops along the way to take in the sights and stretch your legs.
Scenic Flights: For a unique and unforgettable experience, you could take a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sounds. Several companies offer flights that provide aerial views of the stunning Southern Alps and Fiordland National Park. Some flights also include a landing at Milford Sounds, allowing you to explore on foot before returning to Queenstown.
Bus Tours: Not less adventurous, you can choose for a guided bus tour. Several tour companies offer tours from Queenstown to Milford Sounds. These tours typically include transportation, a guide, and a few stops at photo-worthy places.
This guide will focus more on the bus tour as this is the one I’ve personally opted for.
Best Places to See on a Full-Day Bus Tour
One of the best trips you can do when down on the South Island of New Zealand, is to visit the vast Fiordland National Park. Fiordland National Park is the national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the Milford Sound area.
As I was travelling on a budget I was going for the Milford Sound Tour with InterCity. A full-day tour departs from Queenstown or Te Anau to Milford Sounds and includes the return travel, the cruise, a few cool stops along the way and prices start from $147 NZD.
The tour starts as early as 9.15 am from the InterCity bus station on Athol Street in Queenstown centre. I’m not gonna lie, the drive takes a long time. It’s supposed to be 5 hours 45 minutes so you would arrive at the Milford Wharf at 3.00 pm. However, it does not feel that much as you stop a couple of times.
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 some decent veggie wrap at Lakefront Café.
A tip here – stock up on some snacks to avoid unnecessary running around in those 30 minutes, frantically looking for something healthy to eat.
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.
The Fiordland National Park was considered a World Heritage Area by the United Nations in 1986. The park was described as ‘superlative natural phenomena’ and ‘outstanding examples of… the earth’s evolutionary history’.
Monkey Creek
Continuing from there, we stopped at Monkey Creek – my favourite spot along the route! Its snow-covered mountains everywhere you looked, the creek fed by the glacier and a pristine environment made it a special place.
If you are lucky, you can even spot the Kea, New Zealand’s alpine parrot or the Rare Whiro (blue duck), which lives in the creek. We sadly did not encounter them…
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 Sounds is at The Chasm. From the car park, it’s a stroll through tranquil native bush, with many New Zealand typical ferns. The closer you get to the chasm the louder becomes the sound of the gushing waterfalls, disappearing through the rocks.
Nice enough stop and a good opportunity to stretch your legs. Also, the car park there is another known place for spotting the kea!
Milford Sounds – Fiordland National Park
Often described as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sounds is actually a fiord. Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, it’s known for cliffs that rise vertically from the ocean (the Mitre Peak being the highest with 1,700 metres)and waterfalls that drop from as high as 1000 metres into the sea.
Once at the Milford Wharf, the driver will tell you the boat you are on. The drive lasts about 60 – 75 minutes and brings you out towards the opening of the Tasman Sea.
Should you be on a self-drive trip from Queenstown to Milford Sounds, I recommend you book a small boutique cruise through the fiords.
Although the weather was fine, as in blue sky and sunshine, we got some very strong winds going on. Standing on deck, facing the direction we went I had tears streaming down my face because of the winds. Coming from Wellington, I thought it couldn’t get stronger, wrong!
With that being said, 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 Niagra 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, it almost goes underneath it, so you might get a bit wet.
Bowen Falls
Just before the wharf, you’ll pass again the giant Lady Bowen Falls – Milford’s tallest waterfall. It’s created by the Bowen River that gushes down a 161-metre-high cliff and provides electricity for the township of Milford.
Once the cruise is finished at around 4.45 pm, the bus is waiting for you outside. You will stop again in Te Anau for a short break until arriving in Queenstown at 9 pm-ish.
I hope this post inspires you to visit one of New Zealand’s most remote places. Although you have to invest some time – it will be worth every minute!
Should a day trip to Milford Sounds not be enough, there is also the option to stay overnight!
Accommodation Milford Sound
So, if you’re thinking about spending more time in the Milford Sound area, you totally can!
There are some cool options for staying overnight right there. One spot you might wanna check out is the Milford Sound Lodge. It’s right in the heart of the action, offering everything from cozy chalets to budget-friendly backpacker rooms. 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. Because you’re in the Fiordland National Park, freedom camping is strictly forbidden.
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Looking for more New Zealand Itineraries and Things to See & Do?
For the best adventure, head on this 10 day itinerary around the South Island of New Zealand.
If you’re a wine lover, plan your trip to the best New Zealand Wine Regions with my full guide.
To continue your New Zealand road trip, discover The Best Things to Do in Abel Tasman
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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