Milford Sound
A fiord with cliffs that drop into the water, reached by a drive of about two hours from Te Anau.
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Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is a fiord in Fiordland National Park, on New Zealand's South Island. Cliffs rise almost straight out of the water, and Mitre Peak, a pyramid-shaped summit, is the view on most postcards. The fiord sits at the end of Milford Road, about 120 km from Te Anau, roughly two hours by car. From Queenstown the drive is about 290 km, so many visitors take a coach or a scenic flight instead. Boat cruises are the main draw, and walkers and kayakers use the setting too.
Plan for a long day. Beyond the boats and short walks near the water, there is little to do on land, so build your day around cruise times. Fiordland gets very heavy rain, and after storms waterfalls pour down the cliffs. Winter brings snow, which can close the road or require chains. Most visitors come between late spring and early autumn, and one to two days covers a cruise and the drive.
Milford Sound in five
- Start from Te Anau, not QueenstownDOC recommends returning from Te Anau. Te Anau to Milford and back is 240 km and an eight hour day with stops; Queenstown and back is 600 km and takes 12 to 14 hours.Milford Sound from Queenstown
- Fill the tank in Te AnauThere are no shops or fuel stations between Te Anau and Milford Sound, and public toilets are only at Te Anau, Knobs Flat and Milford. Bring food, water and insect repellent.Milford Road driving guide
- Check the SH94 status each morningRock falls, weather and winter avalanche can close the road or cause delays. NZTA shows an avalanche hazard rating, and DOC says snow chains may be required in winter, May to September.SH94 Milford Road status
- Choose a cruise by lengthOne operator lists a 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise and a 2 hour 15 minute longer cruise. Every cruise runs the full length of the fiord, weather permitting, and rain is no reason to cancel.Best time to visit Milford Sound
- Know the earthquake and tsunami drillDOC says a large earthquake or landslide-induced tsunami is extremely unlikely during a visit, but possible. If shaking feels long or strong, move up and away from the water at once.
Need to know
- Airport
- Queenstown (ZQN); scenic flights land at Milford Sound airport
- Getting there
- Milford Road 120 km from Te Anau; about 3 hr 50 min from Queenstown
- Getting around
- Cruises leave from the visitor terminal; Foreshore Walk on foot
- Best base
- Te Anau; Milford has limited facilities
- Time needed
- 1 full day from Te Anau; 2 days with Queenstown by road
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Warm, busy roadJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy road
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Mild, busy roadFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, busy road
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, fewer peopleMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fewer people
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, quieterAprilRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quieter
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cool, winter roadMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, winter road
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh7°Low2°Cold, icy roadJunePartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, icy road
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh6°Low1°Coldest, snowJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coldest, snow
- AugustRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Cold, icy roadAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, icy road
- SeptemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Spring, changeableSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 217 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, changeable
- OctoberRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low4°Cool, busierOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 175 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, busier
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Mild, busierNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, busier
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Warm, busy roadDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy road
Average daily high and low in Milford Sound, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Milford Sound
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 96%
Milford Sound
12:55 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today10°5°96%Tuesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Wed11°7°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu15°8°90%Thursday: Rain. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri10°9°95%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sat13°4°43%Saturday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sun12°3°59%Sunday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 59%.
Updated 11:56 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Te Anauabout 2 hours by roadThe nearest town with facilities and the best base for an early start to the fiord.Read the guide
- Queenstownabout 3 hours 50 minutes by road, 40 minutes by airCoach, drive and fly options for a long day trip to the fiord.Read the guide
- Key Summitfrom The Divide on the Milford RoadA half day walk on the Routeburn Track to alpine views of the Hollyford Valley.Read the guide
Before you go to Milford Sound
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Rules for Milford Sound, checked
- No shops or fuel stations between Te Anau and Milford Sound; fill the tank and carry food and drink. Public toilets are at Te Anau, Knobs Flat and Milford only.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- No dogs in the national park; flying a drone without a permit is prohibited. Freedom camping within 200 m of the Milford Road is not allowed.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- A restricted no-stopping zone covers the avalanche area between the Hollyford Road junction and The Chasm; do not park or stop there.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Milford Sound FAQ
Is Milford Sound worth visiting in the rain?
Yes. Tourism New Zealand says rain makes the mountains look mist-draped and sets hundreds of waterfalls running. Milford is one of the wettest places on Earth, so plan for rain rather than around it.
How long is the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound?
Tourism New Zealand lists about 3 hours 50 minutes each way, and DOC puts the 600 km return trip at 12 to 14 hours with stops. DOC advises returning from Te Anau instead, which is 240 km return.
Can you drive to Milford Sound in winter?
Yes, but conditions can be extremely challenging from May to September, with snow and ice, possible avalanche closures and chains required at times. DOC suggests leaving from 9 a.m. and taking a bus if you are unsure.
How long is a Milford Sound cruise?
One operator lists a 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise and a 2 hour 15 minute longer cruise. The full trip, including the road, is a whole day from Te Anau and 12 to 13 hours by coach from Queenstown.
Where do you stay near Milford Sound?
Te Anau is the nearest town with facilities, about 2 hours away by road, and DOC runs bookable campsites along the Milford Road. Milford itself has limited facilities, so most visitors sleep in Te Anau.