Milford Sound
Top Spots
Explore Milford Sound
Milford Sound, New Zealand
4.7
1.2 mi
/ 1 ft gain
Milford Sound can be explored by land or sea. Short hiking trails departing from the main parking lot are numerous and well signed, walk along the Foreshore Trail or up into the hills for expansive views.Going on a cruise is an exciting way to get up close and personal with Milford's scenery and wildlife. Cruises can be booked at the visitor center or online, we paid just $40 for a two hour cru...
Kayak to Lady Bowen Falls in Milford Sound
Milford Sound, New Zealand
4.5
There are multiple options for getting to Milford Sound. If you have a car and can drive, then just take the Milford Sound Highway from Te Anau, and once you get to the end of the road and see all the big boats, just park your car and get ready for some fun in the water. If you don't have your own car, have no fear, public transportation in New Zealand is great! From Te Anau or Queenstown, t...
Overnight Cruise the Milford Sound
Milford Sound, New Zealand
5.0
If you are ever visiting New Zealand's south island, I cannot implore you more to consider doing the overnight cruise of the Milford Sound via Real Journeys. For roughly $300, you board, in Queenstown, a custom designed Real Journeys tour bus that has seats slightly angled towards the windows as well as a curved glass covered roof so that you may gaze upwards toward the unrelenting views of the...
Climb to Homer Saddle, Fjordland NP
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
1.6 mi
/ 1574.8 ft gain
This route is not marked, riddled with loose rock, and requires climbing on narrow exposed ledges. There are often snow patches on the saddle and an unchecked fall will almost certainly result in a fatality. However, for experienced and well prepared parties this can be one of the most rewarding and exciting adventures in New Zealand.From the car park you can see your destination, Homer Saddle,...
Hike to Gertrude Saddle
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
4.8
4.3 mi
/ 2624.7 ft gain
The trail begins at the signposted car park along Milford Road just before the Homer Tunnel, about 98km from Te Anau. Follow the marked track through the valley and left, steeply uphill. About halfway up you will cross the Gertrude Stream below a large, steep waterfall.Upon reaching Black Lake, continue up to your right. There are steel cabins to assist with the climb, as the rock can be slippe...
Valley of the Trolls
Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
1.9 mi
/ 1312.3 ft gain
The Valley of The Trolls can be accessed from the head of Lake Harris, off the Routeburn track. The trail in the valley is a lot tougher going than the well maintained Routeburn track. The valley floor will quickly become a swampy bog after a rain.
Getting to the trail is easily done about 300 meters before reaching the Harris Shelter. A small trail will branch off northwards from the Routebu...
Hike to Lake Marian
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
4.7
3 mi
/ 1312.3 ft gain
The track starts soon after the turnoff onto Hollyford Rd off the Milford Highway. The track begins with a bridge crossing over a river and then soon reached Marian Falls. From the falls the trail climbs steeply through forest until the lake. The lake is a beautiful place to spend several hours and then return via the same track. The track is covered in roots and rocks and requires care as ...
Hike to Key Summit
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
5 mi
/ 1640.4 ft gain
In the Fiordland National Park, the Key Summit sits at the beginning of one of New Zealand's Great Walks, The Routeburn Track.
This half-day walk to easily accessible off of the Milford Road from the Divide Carpark, one of the access points to the popular backpacking trip. A toilet is available here before your adventure (the important things!)
The track will begin at the left side of the park...
Camp at Cascade Creek
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
This campsite is just off the Milford Highway. There will be a sign for the Cascade Creek Campground exit. Follow the dirt road for several minutes before reaching the campground. You may find a spot immediately, but the campground is fairly large and can get busy, so drive until you find a spot that works for you.
Quick links
- The best hiking trails in Milford Sound
- The best backpacking in Milford Sound
- The best camping in Milford Sound
- Top adventures in Milford Sound