Milford Sound Scenic Highlights

Milford Sound | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Vast, remote and isolated, Milford Sound is nestled in an incomparable, ancient wilderness of calm lakes, majestic snow-topped peaks, dense rainforest and steep-sided fiords.

Milford Sound Scenic Highlights Overview

Milford Sound is set in the very heart of New Zealand's wild and untamed south-western Fiordland National Park, it is the most frequented and famous feature in the National Park.

To get to the sound one must travel through Fiordland and this in itself is one of the most dazzling road trips in existence.

Fiordland is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. It is an area where snow-capped mountains, rivers of ice, deep lakes, unbroken forests and tussock grasslands produce a landscape of exceptional beauty - all of which are visible on your journey to Milford Sound.

Some of the best examples of animals and plants, which were once found on the ancient super-continent of Gondwanaland, still exist here.

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The Mystical Beauty of Milford Sound

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, Fiordland, New Zealand

Milford Sound
Fiordland National Park
Photographer: Heidi Coppock Beard
(www.coppockbeard.com)

Milford Sound has been acclaimed as the eighth wonder of the world. It has been ranked as the number one top travel destination in the world. Almost all or all of the activities in and around the sound are focused on enjoying the eye-popping beauty of the scenery.

Milford Sound extends 15 kilometres inland, surrounded by sheer mountain sides rising abruptly and towering over the sound. The peaks include the Elephant at 1,517 metres (4,977 feet) which is said to resemble an elephant's head, and The Lion, towering 1,302 metres (4,272 feet) above the sound said to be the shape of a crouching lion.

Milford Waterfalls

The nearby Sutherland Falls accessible from the Milford Track, at 580 metres high they are among the highest in the world.

Milford's permanent waterfalls are Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. During rainy times (which are very regular) numerous smaller waterfalls cascade of the steep mountain sides straight down to the sound.

If you arrive on a rainy windy day, even then you won't be disappointed as the sound comes alive with gushing waterfalls. Sometimes the waterfalls never reach the sound as the wind lifts them up and disperses the water.

Fauna

The sound is frequented by seals that climb up onto rocks along the sound, as well as penguins and dolphins. Sometimes even whales can be seen.

Fiordland is known for its Kea parrot. The Kea is one of only two alpine species of parrot in the world both of which live in Fiordland. The Kea is a curious bird with a lot of character that has the unfortunate habit of pulling the seals out of ones' car.