Milford Sound With Kids - Top 10 Tips

As a mum who has travelled to Milford Sound multiple times with my kids, I've experienced the journey from both sides – both as part of a tour and as a self-driving parent.

In my role as Guest Experience Manager at Milford Sound Luxe Tours, I regularly speak with our guides & guests about what works and what doesn't when it comes to family experiences in Fiordland National Park.

What I've discovered is that visiting Milford Sound with kids can be an incredible family adventure – but it does require some specific planning to ensure everyone enjoys the experience.

Based on countless trips and conversations with both guides and families, I've put together my top tips to help make your Milford Sound journey with kids a success.

Key Takeaways

• Start your journey from Te Anau rather than Queenstown to reduce drive time
  

• Pack plenty of food, as options in Milford Sound are limited
  

• Bring entertainment for the car journey 
  

• Pack appropriate clothing, including waterproof jackets and a change of clothes
  

• Choose kid-friendly stops like Mirror Lakes and Monkey Creek
  

• Be realistic about how many stops you can enjoy with children
  

• Get kids outside on the cruise deck to prevent boredom
  

• Small group tours offer more flexibility for families
  

• Prioritise safety at all stops and while driving
  

• Trust your parental instincts about what will work for your kids
  

1: Start Your Journey From Te Anau, Not Queenstown

If there's one piece of advice I give to all planning a Milford Sound trip with kids, it's this: leave from Te Anau, not Queenstown.

The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is about half the time compared to starting from Queenstown, meaning your kids will spend significantly less time confined in a vehicle.

In my experience, children under 10 get restless during the long drive from Queenstown, which can make the trip stressful for everyone.

Starting from Te Anau gives you more time to stop, explore, and do short walks along the way – whether you're self-driving or taking a tour.

For visitors arriving in Queenstown, I recommend renting a vehicle and driving to Te Anau the day before your Milford Sound adventure.

We recommend this approach for all situations involving kids, whether planning to self-drive or take a tour – it simply creates a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

2: Bring Plenty of Food and Snacks

One of the most important things to remember is that food options in Milford Sound are extremely limited. If you're on a tour, check what refreshments are provided. Similarly, check what meal options are available on your cruise, as some don't offer lunch options.

Te Anau is your last chance to stock up on supplies before the journey. The town has several great cafes, a Foursquare supermarket, and a much larger Fresh Choice supermarket where you can purchase food for the day.

I always pack more snacks than I think we'll need – having something to offer hungry kids throughout the trip not only prevents meltdowns but also serves as a good distraction during longer stretches in the car.

Remember, without stopping, it’s a 2-hour drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound.

But if you want to do some of the stops along the way (highly recommended for the full Milford Sound experience), then it will be around 4 hours from Te Anau before you arrive in Milford Sound. 

3: Plan Your Entertainment Strategy

Entertainment is crucial for keeping kids happy during the journey. If you're starting from Te Anau (as recommended), you can focus on toys, books, and games rather than relying solely on screens.

One trick I've found particularly effective is to set aside some toys and books that your kids haven't seen in a while. When you bring these out during the trip, they'll feel new and exciting, keeping them occupied for longer.

If you do decide to make the journey from Queenstown, I'll be honest, you can forget about trying to keep kids off screens - screens will likely be your saving grace for at least part of the trip.

For the Te Anau to Milford Sound portion, though, the frequent stops and changing scenery provide natural entertainment that can keep screens to a minimum.

4: Pack Appropriate Clothing and Changing Supplies

Milford Sound's weather is famously changeable, so proper packing is essential. All children should have:

• A waterproof jacket

• Closed, comfortable walking shoes

• A warm hat

• A sun hat

• A complete change of clothes (in case they get wet)

For families with babies or toddlers, pack everything you'll need for the day, such as nappies and wipes. These items are not available in Milford Sound.

Regarding changing facilities, there are baby changing tables in the public restrooms in Te Anau, at Knobs Flat, and the Milford Sound cruise terminal. Remember to dispose of nappies properly in rubbish bins – this is especially important in a national park environment.

5: Recommended Kid-Friendly Stops

Not all stops along Milford Road are created equal when it comes to keeping kids happy. These are my top recommendations:

Mirror Lakes: This popular stop features safely fenced boardwalks that children love to explore. This stop offers shade from trees, has water and (usually) ducks to look at, and creates perfect reflections of the Earl Mountains on calm days. The boardwalk is just the right length for little legs.

Knobs Flat: This is primarily a practical stop with the last flushing toilets before Milford Sound. There's also a vending machine and information displays that might interest older children.

Monkey Creek: Kids love this stop for the crystal-clear water they can drink straight from the source and the potential to spot kea (alpine parrots). These curious birds often approach visitors, which children find fascinating. Just remember – no feeding or touching the birds, for both their safety and yours.

6: Be Realistic About the Number of Stops

I often see tours advertising 15-17 stops along Milford Road, which sounds impressive – until you imagine getting your children in and out of a vehicle that many times!

As a parent, I see the reality: by the fourth or fifth stop, kids are often tired, possibly asleep, or simply refusing to get out.

I've witnessed many parents stuck in a tour van at viewpoints because their child has fallen asleep or is refusing to move. A more realistic approach with fewer high-quality stops tends to work much better for families.

Remember, the goal isn't to check off as many stops as possible but to create enjoyable memories. Sometimes less really is more when travelling with kids to Milford Sound.

7: Get Your Kids Outside on the Cruise

The cruise portion of your Milford Sound visit has the potential to be either a highlight or a point of boredom for children, depending on the child. My number one tip: get the kids outside on deck.

Being outdoors not only provides fresh air and changing scenery but it also creates opportunities for engagement.

You can play "I Spy," count seals or waterfalls, or challenge kids to spot dolphins. The freedom to walk around the deck and explore different viewing angles keeps children far more engaged than sitting inside.

8: If Opting to Tour, Choose a Small Group Tour 

If you're considering a Milford Sound guided tour, small group options are typically best for families. These tours offer greater flexibility to accommodate children's needs and allow guides to engage directly with your kids.

At Luxe, most of our guides have kids themselves, so they understand the unique challenges and joys of travelling with children. With a smaller group, guides can tailor the day to suit the ages of the children present.

For example, we recently had a tour with a young child on board, so we made sure to do all our stops on the way to Milford Sound and none on the return journey, because we knew the child would likely fall asleep after the cruise.

This kind of flexibility simply isn't possible with larger tour groups that must stick to rigid schedules due to time constraints.

9: Prioritise Safety

The road to Milford Sound is beautiful but can be challenging, with numerous crashes occurring each year. If you're self-driving, maintain complete focus on the road – even if you're driving safely, others may not be.

At stops, keep a close eye on the kids and hold their hands near roadways. Vehicles can round corners quickly, and kids can be unpredictable. This is another area where tours can be beneficial – they allow you to focus entirely on your children's safety rather than navigating unfamiliar roads.

If you are self-driving, don't hesitate to pull over safely if you're feeling tired. The return journey can be particularly exhausting after a full day of activities.

10: Trust Your Parental Instincts

You know your kids better than anyone else.

If your child is happily occupied in the car, don't feel obligated to stop at every viewpoint just because it's on the Milford Sound itinerary. You can always catch certain stops on the return journey instead.

Similarly, if your child is interested in something specific – perhaps a small bird or unique plant – don’t feel the need to rush them along to see the next thing. Take the time to get down on their level and see what they're seeing.

Children often notice small details adults miss, and these moments can become highlights of your trip.

For families with multiple children or multigenerational groups, you could consider a Milford Sound private tour. While similar in price to small group tours, private options allow complete customisation to your family's specific needs and interests.

Visiting Milford Sound with kids adds a unique dimension to the experience. Through their eyes, we notice details we might otherwise miss and rediscover the wonder of nature in this spectacular place. Yes, it requires additional planning and flexibility, but the shared memories are absolutely worth it.

Whether you choose to self-drive or join a tour, the key is to adapt the experience to your children's needs rather than the other way around. With these tips in mind, your family adventure to one of New Zealand's most magnificent landscapes can be enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best age for kids in Milford Sound?

Any age can work with proper planning. We've had successful tours with infants through teenagers. The experience will differ – toddlers might enjoy walking around on the shorter tracks and cruise deck, while older children might appreciate the waterfalls and wildlife.

What should we do if our child gets motion sick?

Kids are often more prone to travel sickness than adults, and the road to Milford Sound is quite curvy. 

We find that regular stops for fresh air help a lot with travel sickness, and this is easily done if you’re starting your journey from Te Anau, as you’ll have plenty of time before your cruise – another reason to start from Te Anau rather than Queenstown.

Is a Milford Sound tour okay for young kids?

Absolutely, though small group tours work best with young kids. On the larger group tours, it can be really stressful trying to get your child on and off the bus at every stop, and it can be overwhelming feeling like everyone is waiting for you.

Small group tours are much more accommodating to children’s needs, and the tour guides have more time to interact with your child and personalise the experience to the group dynamics.

One thing I've noticed is that kids often enhance the experience for everyone. On our small group tours, children frequently interact with other guests, creating a fun, lighthearted atmosphere.

Their genuine wonder and excitement at seeing something for the first time can be contagious, reminding all of us to appreciate the magic of Milford Sound.