'''Milford Sound''' is probably one of New Zealand's most well known scenic attractions.
Understand
Milford Sound is actually a fiord, having been carved by a glacier.
Like the rest of Fiordland, ''Milford Sound'' receives a lot of rain. Indeed, some tour operators argue that the sound is best seen on a rainy day as all the waterfalls can be seen in their full glory. Many recommend seeing it during a sunny day and in the rain to see both worlds as they are both very different and amazing
Wear rainwear and carry an umbrella to protect photographic equipment.
'''Bring bug repellant. The sand flies here are evil.'''
Get In
By Air
The best and most spectacular way to see and experience every thing Milford Sound has to offer is to fly in on a beautiful day. The flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown, Te Anau or Wanaka is undoubtedly one of the world_fs greatest scenic flights. With unsurpassed views of the mountains and glaciers on route. Those of you who are concerned about your carbon and ecological footprint should consider flying. Aeroplanes do not need the extensive infrastructure that foot and road access require. The road to Milford sound travels through a fragile environment and a great deal of continual work with heavy machinery has to be undertaken to keep it open. During the winter months even the mountain sides have to be bombed in order to keep it the road safe from avalanches. A eight seater aeroplane flying to Milford Sound and return to Queenstown will burn about 10 lt of fuel per passenger. A standard two litre Motorcar with two passengers which is about the average number of passengers going to Milford Sound by car will burn on a return trip to Queenstown 30 litres of fuel per person.
There are a number of ''flightseeing'' operators that fly light aircraft and helicopters into ''Milford Sound'' from Queenstown,Wanaka or Te Anau.
Flying yourself to Milford Sound
'''Milford Sound Airport''', [http://www.queenstown.net.nz/index.php?title=Milford_Sound_Airport]. Amateur fliers should get advise before attempting to fly into Milford. Serves: Fiordland, Queenstown and Wanaka, New Zealand.
By Bus
Possibly the nicest way to get to ''Milford Sound'' is to take a sightseeing tour from Queenstown or Te Anau.
Many different companies operate daily coach tours into Milford Sound you can include in your itinerary a boat cruise.
Real Journeys (see "sleep") operates daily coach tours to Milford Sound, connecting with Real Journeys range of day and overnight cruises.
By car
From Te Anau, it is 120 km on '''State Highway 94'''. Allow plenty of time (and fuel), at least 2-3 hours from Te Anau, when travelling to ''Milford Sound'' by car. The road winds through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand as it climbs up to the '''Homer Tunnel'''. The ''Homer Tunnel'' is a single lane tunnel, although it has been fitted with traffic lights in 2004, you may still experience a wait while opposing traffic clears the tunnel. You may also want to break your journey along the road to take photographs or investigate scenic spots - including Mirror Lakes, views of the Hollyford and The Chasm.
State Highway 94 is a high pass and regularly has icy conditions between June and November. It is also subject to avalanches. All cars must carry chains in winter and the Transit New Zealand information kiosk 8km north of Te Anau will check that you are carrying them and can fit them. High risk sections of the road are marked with a red cross on a blue background and with 'no stopping' signs, do not stop your car on these sections of road. Review the state of the road at Transit New Zealand [http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/milfordroad/ ] before departing; if the risk of an avalanche is "high" the road will be closed and if it is "moderate" it may close at short notice. Drivers not experienced at driving on ice and snow might prefer a bus tour.
By Foot
Perhaps the best and most traditional way to get to ''Milford Sound'' is to walk the Milford Track. Bookings are essential for this popular 5 day walk. Walkers need to understand that the only reason they can walk the Milford Track in the numbers they do is because the track is serviced by helicopters. So if while on the track you feel like complaining about the noise of aircraft. Remember they are probably taking out all, and I mean all waste products produced by people walking the track. They also bring in supplies for the lodges, carry out Medivacs etc.
See
Spectacular scenery. Dolphins, waterfalls, seals and penguins. Of special interest is the New Zealand Glow Worm. Watch out for it's bioluminescent glow after dark.
Sheer rock walls coming straight out of the sea, fantastic waterfalls and Mitre Peak.
Do
One of the most awe inspiring ways to see Milford Sound, is from the water level itself. There are two ways to do this:
Cruises
There are several boat operators who offer day cruises. Most guided tours from Te Anau or Queenstown arrive in Milford around noon, so it is advisable to escape the crowds by going on an early-morning or late-afternoon cruise. If you intend to take photographs, the quality of light is usually better around those times as well.
There is also the option of an extended cruise on Milford Sound - overnight cruises operated by Real Journeys). See "Sleep" section below.
'''Milford Deep Underwater Observatory''', [http://www.milforddeep.co.nz/]. This place can only be reached via one of the cruises. What they are trying to do is interesting, but they charge a lot to see the place and you get a whopping 15 mins total there. There is not even enough time to look through the displays.
Kayaking
Your proximity to the water in a kayak just serves to make you feel even smaller, and makes the Sound seem even more vast! The pros of doing it this way are that you get to go places that the big cruise ships cannot, you see a great deal more wildlife (penguins, seals etc.) as you move more quietly through the water, you are part of a small group (between 6 and 8) and so getting more personal attention from your guide, and you get some exercise in the process. Cons are that it is quite hard work and you should be prepared to get cold and wet. A good way of doing this kind of trip is on a 'one day package'. You can be picked up from your accommodations early in the morning (around 6:30AM) in Te Anau by minibus and driven to Milford, where you are kitted out with all the relevant kayak and safety gear and given waterproof bags to take cameras and food with you. The trip lasts till the late afternoon (lunch is taken in your kayaks in the middle of the Sound) and you will be driven back for around 6PM.
Buy
There is very very little 'shopping' in Milford - just a few merchandise items - e.g. post cards, books, posters, etc. A small grocery shop at Milford Sound Lodge sells many of the basics and is open from 8am to 9pm.
Eat
There is only one place to eat and drink in Milford Sound if you did not bring food in with you, and it is the '''Blue Duck Cafe & Bar'''. The cafe offers breakfast and lunch, while dinner is found at the bar. Snacks, drinks, and coffee are also available at the cafe. Prices are tourist prices, $8NZ+ for breakfast, $15+ for lunch, $25+ for dinner. They do sell sandwiches around $4-5.
Some cruises run with meal options on board.
Drink
Blue Duck Cafe & Bar has pretty much whatever drink you would like to have available with Montieth's on tap.
Sleep
Watch out as there are only two lodges in Milford Sound, and one of them is only for those tramping the Milford Track. The one open to all travelers is the Holiday Park (with backpackers) type accommodation, but cozy, and it is very often fully booked.
'''Milford Sound Lodge''', +64 3 249 8071, [www.milfordlodge.com]. Has new self contained river front chalets (with baths), private doubles or twins and dorm style bunk rooms. It also has plenty of powered and unpowered parking for campervans by the river and a number of secluded tent sites in the surrounding forest. Milford Sounds only grocery shop (although small) can be found here and they can advise you on activities available in the area. Take the linking rain forest walk or their courtesy coach to the cruise departures.
'''Real Journeys''', Shotover street, Queenstown, +64 3 442 7500, [www.realjourneys.co.nz]. Alternatively experience a different overnight stay in Milford Sound - on board a boat. Two options include the ''Milford Mariner'' (private cabins with ensuite bathrooms - 60 passengers) and the ''Milford Wanderer'' (quad share bunk style accommodation - 61 passengers). Overnight cruises include dinner, bed and breakfast. Plus exploring by tender craft or kayak. The Real Journeys overnight cruises are not available during winter (June - August).
Get out
On arrival in Milford Sound off the Milford Track there are a number of options for getting out if you are not pre booked. After the hitching option the first point of contact would be the Blue Duck Cafe. There you can book a bus or a flight out to either Te Anau, Queenstown, Glenorchy or Wanaka. The Wanaka and Glenorchy option are really only available by air. Good luck.