Best Time to Visit Milford Sound & Things to Do

Contact Information

Why This Place is Special

• • Mitre Peak, a prominent mountain rising 1,692 meters straight out of the water
• • Stirling Falls, a 151-meter permanent waterfall that drops directly into the fjord
• • Deep-water emergence marine ecosystem with an underwater observatory
• • Wildlife viewing including fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins
• • High annual rainfall that creates hundreds of temporary cascading waterfalls
• • Scenic boat cruises navigating the 16-kilometer length of the fjord to the Tasman Sea

Ideal For

Facilities & Amenities

• • Parking
• • Restrooms
• • Drinking water
• • Cafeteria
• • Information center
• • Wheelchair access
• • Seating areas
• • Souvenir shops

Rules & Restrictions

• • Drone flying is strictly prohibited without a specific concession permit
• • Do not feed the wildlife, including seals and native birds
• • No mobile phone coverage or public Wi-Fi available at the terminal
• • Stay on marked boardwalks and tracks to protect the fragile alpine environment
• • No camping outside of designated and permitted areas

Safety Information

• • Check road conditions before departing, as State Highway 94 frequently closes due to snow or avalanche risks in winter
• • Carry snow chains if driving between May and November; it is a legal requirement
• • Watch out for kea birds in the parking lots; do not leave doors open or they will damage vehicle interiors
• • Be cautious on the wet decks of cruise ships, and hold onto handrails when moving about
• • Drive carefully through the one-way Homer Tunnel and obey the traffic light signals
• • Let someone know your travel plans before leaving Te Anau, as you will have no cell reception