A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound, New Zealand

One Day Trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound

The Scenic Drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand, and there are quite a few stops that you should check out when you are on the road. Thankfully, if you go with the tour by GreatSight, they will give you around 5-10 minutes for photos at all of the spots listed here.

Your journey will begin around 9:45 AM, where the shuttle will pick you up in Te Anau. They will charter you off on these all-glass-roof buses, allowing you to enjoy the scenic road while they drive you to Milford Sound.

The Milford Sound is 118 km north of Te Anau, and it will take about 1.5 - 2 hours to drive the road, not including stops. There are a ton of stops you can make along the way. One of the first stops is at the Mirror Lakes.

Mirror Lakes is, as the name suggests, a stunning lake that provides you with magnificent reflective views of the snow-capped Earl Mountains behind it. It is a great place to stop for a little stroll before you continue down Milford Road.

As you continue down the road, you will find a beautiful vista point, Pop's View Point, where you will be able to appreciate just how beautiful and lush the forest and the valleys around the Milford Sound are.

After Pop's View Point, a few kilometers north, you will find another beautiful valley to take photos of. It's the Gertrude Valley Lookout where you will be able to have an unobstructed view of the beautiful valley you will be driving to.

After Gertrude Valley, you will enter a tunnel. After about 5 minutes, when you are out of the tunnel, you will be blown away by the sheer beauty of the mountains along the Milford Road. It is as if you are being transported through a dimension into a fairy tale world with high cliffs and snowy mountains on both sides of the road.

And one of the best stops along this road is at the 1855 Lookout Point where you will be able to see the curvy roads going between a valley towards a snow-capped mountain. This view is the reason why you visit New Zealand. This view is what I call perfection 😙👌!

As you can see, there are so many stops along the way to the Milford Sound that it is a tourist attraction in and of itself. But we are not here to see just these stops along the road; we are here to see the Milford Sound. By 1:15 PM, you should arrive at the Milford Sound Pier ready to experience the best natural wonder of New Zealand.

Cruising the Milford Sound

Once you arrive at the Milford Sound pier, you will board the GreatSight Cruise where you will find plenty of space onboard for you to choose from. There is also an outdoor deck if you wish to take some photos. I spent the entire 2 hours outside, and it was worth it!

Out of the gate, you will see the poster image of Milford Sound with high snow-capped mountains facing you. On your right, you will see a stunning valley with the snow-covered Mount Pembroke looming behind.

The Milford Sound is the land of plunging cliffs and raging waterfalls, and as you cruise along the fjord, you will be surrounded by nothing but plunging cliffs and raging waterfalls.

Your cruise will travel toward Dale Point where it will turn back and start visiting each of the waterfalls and animal colonies you just saw up close. Not too far from Dale Point, you will find a penguin colony and a seal colony at the foot of these cliffs along both sides of the fjord.

The cruise will also take you to the breathtaking Stirling Falls, a steep dramatic cascade standing at over 150m high. They will then plunge the head of the cruise under the waterfall, allowing you to experience the power of the Stirling Falls up close. This is when you will need a poncho or a waterproof jacket.

Once that is done, you will then be dropped off at the pier again at around 4 PM, and you will be driven back on the same coach to Te Anau. You should be back in town by 5 PM, and that concludes our day trip to Milford Sound.

When to Visit the Milford Sound?

The Milford Sound is one of the rainiest areas in New Zealand. It experiences over 182 rainy days per year, and you would have to consider yourself lucky to be able to see it on a sunny day. That said, the Milford Sound is beautiful in any condition, especially during spring from September to November.

During springtime, the weather in Milford Sound is a little calmer, which increases the chance of clear days during your visit. There will also be more waterfalls and fewer people to deal with during that time, so if you can plan ahead, be sure to align your trip around New Zealand's springtime.

How to Get to the Milford Sound?

Queenstown is the closest town to Te Anau, and it has an international airport that you can fly into directly or indirectly via Auckland or Christchurch.

From the US, there are no direct flights to Queenstown, Auckland, or Christchurch, so you will have to rely on transit flights from airlines like Qantas, which often transit in Fiji and take about 19 hours.

From Europe, you can fly from most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines, where you will then have to transit through their headquarters to get to Auckland or Christchurch before you can continue on to Queenstown. The flight will take over 24 hours so gear up and prepare for a long ride.

From Asia, there are several airlines offering various routes from many hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong that will fly you to Auckland and Christchurch. From there, you can catch a flight to Queenstown. Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines are excellent options for traveling this route, with the fastest flight time being 9 hours.

To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend using Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

Getting from Auckland to Te Anau

By Air: Queenstown has an airport that you can fly into. Jetstar and Air New Zealand often fly from Auckland to Queenstown around seven times a day. The journey should take around two hours and cost around $67. You can book your flight here.

Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take a bus to Te Anau following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau" section.

Getting from Christchurch to Te Anau

By Air: From Christchurch, you can also fly to Queenstown, which is recommended over taking the bus as it will be cheaper and much faster.

Air New Zealand flies this route directly three times a day. It will take about 1 hour 15 minutes and cost 95 USD. You can book your flight from Christchurch to Queenstown here.

Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take a bus to Te Anau, following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau" section.

Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau

By Bus: Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can travel to Te Anau by buses operated by Tracknet. They have three buses leaving from The Station Bus Stop at 6:55 AM, 10:35 AM, and 4:35 PM every day.

The bus journey from Queenstown to Te Anau will take around 2.5 hours and cost 49 NZD per person. You can book the bus to Te Anau here.

By Car: If you are looking for a more comfortable way to travel to Te Anau, you can also rent a car from Queenstown Airport and drive there in about 2 hours, which will cost you around 25 USD per day. To rent a car, click the link below.

Rent a Car in Queenstown

Getting from Te Anau to the Milford Sound

Once you have arrived in Te Anau, you can then proceed to Milford Sound by booking a Milford Sound Tour, which includes a transfer between Te Anau and Milford Sound, as well as a cruise to take you around the fjord.

By Tour: This is the recommended way for those who do not have a car, as everything will be organized for you and you do not have to worry about the logistics of traveling from Te Anau to Milford Sound. Most tours will include shuttle transfers to and from Te Anau.

All the Milford Sound tours will also include a ride on their luxury cruise around the attractions within the fjords, as well as lunch with some of them, with personal commentary from the coach driver and the captain.

Wondering which Milford Sound Cruise to pick? Check out the Milford Sound Cruise Tour section below.

By Car and Tour: If you decide to rent a car, you can also drive to Milford Sound yourself, which will allow you to stop at any time along the scenic road from Te Anau to Queenstown. However, you will still have to buy a cruise tour to traverse the fjord.

To learn more about which cruise to pick, check out the Milford Sound Cruise Tour section below.

Which Milford Sound Cruise Tour to Pick?

Cruise Tour With Transfers, Photo Stops, and Lunch

If you do not have a car, I highly recommend that you go with the Milford Sound Day Tour by GreatSight. The tour will pick you up in Te Anau, and then you will be transported on a glass-roofed coach where you will be immersed in the scenery along the way.

What is unique about this tour is that, while they drive you to the Milford Sound, they will stop at several stunning photo spots, such as the Mirror Lakes, the 1855 Lookout point, and more, for you to take photos.

Other cheaper tours do not include this part, and you are missing out on quite a lot as the road from Te Anau to the Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand.

For the actual cruise, you will also be offered several options for lunch, and the cruise will take you around Milford Sound's attractions, such as the Stirling Falls, the Penguin Colony, and more, for 2 hours before you are transported back to Te Anau.

The Milford Sound Day Tour by GreatSight costs around 131 USD and it runs for an entire day from 9:45 AM to 5 PM. I highly recommend you book it in advance with the link below:

Book the Milford Sound Tour by GreatSight

Cruise Tour Without Transfers

If you have your own car, you can save more by booking the Milford Sound Cruise Tour by Southern Discoveries, which costs 58 USD for a similar experience as the one by GreatSight, but without the transfer, lunch, and photo stop.

Since you have your own car, you do not need these things anyway, so you might as well save some money and explore the attractions around Milford Sound at your own leisure. The tour runs three times a day at 10:30 AM, 1:15 PM, and 3:15 PM, so make sure you plan your drive carefully.

These tours get booked quickly during the peak season, and I highly recommend that you book them in advance. You can do so using the link provided below.

Book the Milford Sound Tour by Southern Discoveries

How Much Does It Cost To Travel to the Milford Sound?

Since we will be spending only 2 nights in Te Anau, we can calculate how much you will be spending at Milford Sound for 1 day as follows:

Accommodation: For 2 nights in Te Anau, you will be spending around $40 USD on accommodation.

Food: An average meal in Wanaka costs around 10 USD, so you can expect to spend around 30 USD on food.

Transportation: Since you will be spending the entire day exploring the Milford Sound with a tour, you will not be spending any NZD on transportation.

Activities: You will have to book a Milford Sound cruise tour, which costs around USD 126, and that's it for activities.

Total Budget for 1 day in Milford Sound: 267.42 NZD (196 USD).

Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Te Anau, New Zealand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Te Anau, New Zealand:

Don't expect much from New Zealand's WIFI. They are terribly outdated, with some cafes offering free 25 MB and 15-minute time-limited WIFI to their customers. Yes, really!

For a more reliable internet connection, I would recommend that you get yourself a local SIM card where you will be able to find a 4G connection in all the major cities around the country now.

Spark is a recommended carrier with the widest coverage across the country. You can purchase their prepaid SIM card package, "Data Lover," at the Auckland airport. It is available in two price points: 20 NZD for 1 GB (+1 GB for social) and 40 NZD for 4.5 GB (+1 GB for social), both valid for one month.

With Spark, you can top up your data via stores around the country, or you can simply do it online with your credit card. Very easy and convenient.

For more information about SIM cards in New Zealand, visit: New Zealand's Prepaid Data SIM Card

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for the Milford Sound?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Te Anau, New Zealand:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for New Zealand? Check out:What to Pack for New Zealand - The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand

I've spent 5 weeks backpacking in New Zealand, and I have written a ton more about my journey traveling throughout New Zealand, from the North Island to the South Island, that might help in your trip planning.

Here's a selection of articles about New Zealand:

• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for New Zealand? Check out One Month Itinerary for New Zealand.
• Don't have one month in New Zealand? How about spending 2 weeks visiting all the highlights of New Zealand on the South Island? Check out our 2-Week Itinerary for the South Island, New Zealand.
• Want to visit New Zealand but not sure what to pack? Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for New Zealand
• Planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are the 12 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand.
• New Zealand holds a special place in my heart. It is one of the most memorable trips I have ever taken, and here are 10 things I love about New Zealand.
• If you are planning to travel from North to South in New Zealand, Rotorua is a great place to start your journey from Auckland. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.
• Did you know that you can climb Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings in real life? Check out: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Tongariro Crossing.
• Planning to travel across Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island? Here's How to Get From Wellington to Picton.
• Nelson is one of the most laid-back and sunny cities in New Zealand, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the abundant sunshine. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Nelson.
• Did you know that you can do parts of New Zealand's Great Walks in one day? The Abel Tasman Track offers a wide range of hiking trails to choose from. Here’s The Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to the Abel Tasman Track.
• Want to do a road trip along the Great Coast Road in New Zealand? Better start in Westport. Here are the 5 Best Things to Do in Westport, New Zealand.
• Wanaka is a must-visit lakeside town, full of incredible nature and wonderful mountains waiting for you to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Wanaka.
• Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and whatever extreme activities human bodies can endure, they probably have them in Queenstown. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.
• Queenstown is also one of the best places in the world to go skydiving. Here’s my experience skydiving with NZONE in Queenstown.
• One of the best Great Walks in New Zealand is the Routeburn Track, and if you have to pick one Great Walk to do, make it this one. Here’s The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track.
• Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook are some of the most photogenic places to visit in New Zealand, and it is best done together. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
• Dunedin has so much to offer for nature lovers. From the sight of the world's largest birds to the beautiful cliffs of Tunnel Beach, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dunedin.
• Not convinced by my words about New Zealand? Come follow me, and I'll show you New Zealand in 70 photos.
• You can see all my New Zealand travel guides and related articles on my New Zealand Travel Guide page.