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Milford Sound, nestled in the heart of New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, is a breathtaking natural wonder that draws visitors from around the globe. While Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s top tourist destinations, accepting almost 1-million visitors every year, many travellers are surprised to learn there are very limited facilities there. However, despite its remote location and limited development, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a unique and unforgettable experience for those seeking to immerse themselves in pristine wilderness. This article covers the available accommodations, dining options, facilities, and activities in Milford Sound, providing essential information for planning your visit.
What Accommodation is Available in Milford Sound?
Milford Sound Lodge
When it comes to staying overnight in Milford Sound, options are extremely limited. The Milford Sound Lodge is the sole public accommodation option in the area, offering a unique stay amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Fiordland National Park.
Located just a short distance from the Milford Sound cruise terminal, the Lodge provides a range of accommodation options to suit different preferences. Visitors can choose from chalets with stunning mountain and river views, riverside rooms for a more immersive nature experience, or powered sites for those traveling in campervans. The lodge also has a kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities for guests to use. While the Lodge offers a premium experience, it's worth noting that prices are quite high, reflecting its exclusive location.
Prices Per Night (varies seasonally)
Powered Campervan Site: NZD$100.00-$120.00 for two adults
Mountain View Chalets: NZD$525.00-$855.00 for two adults (includes breakfast)
Riverside Chalets: NZD$675.00-$975.00 for two adults (includes breakfast)
2-Bedroom Garden Chalets: NZD$795.00-$1,125.00 for two adults (includes breakfast)
Note: There is a minimum booking requirement of two nights between April - November, and you’ll need to book well in advance during all months of the year, as rooms and campervan sites are limited.
Pio Pio Restaurant
For dining at the Lodge, the Pio Pio Restaurant offers a memorable culinary experience focusing on local, seasonal ingredients. Prices at the restaurant are on the higher end, around NZD$30.00-$60.00 for a meal, reflecting both the quality of the cuisine and the remote location. You’ll also need to book in advance, especially during peak seasons, and the restaurant is open to non-guests as well.
Te Anau Accommodation
Most visitors to Milford Sound opt to base themselves in nearby Te Anau. Te Anau is the closest town to Milford Sound, with around a two-hour drive between the two towns. Te Anau offers a wider range of accommodation options to suit various budgets and preferences, from hotels and motels to holiday parks and Airbnb, offering more flexibility for staying in the area. You’ll find plenty of Te Anau accommodation options to browse online.
For in-depth reviews of some of the accommodation options in Te Anau, check out the following articles:
What Food is Available in Milford Sound?
Southern Discoveries Cafe
Dining options in Milford Sound are limited. The primary on-site food option is the Southern Discoveries Cafe, located near the cruise terminal. This cafe offers quick bites, sandwiches, and hot beverages, catering to visitors before or after their cruises. While convenient, it's important to note that the menu is limited. During the winter months, the hours of the cafe can fluctuate and may not actually be open in some cases.
Pio Pio Restaurant
For a more upscale dining option, the Pio Pio Restaurant at Milford Sound Lodge offers a fine dining experience with stunning views. However, as mentioned in the accommodation section, reservations are required, especially for non-guests of the lodge, and meal prices are on the higher end.
Stocking up in Te Anau
Given the limited options, we strongly recommend that visitors purchase food in Te Anau before travelling to Milford Sound, especially for families and those with specific dietary requirements. Te Anau offers Freshchoice and Four Square supermarkets, where you can stock up on supplies for your Milford Sound adventure, as well as an abundance of cafe options such as Milford Road Merchant or Sandfly Cafe.
Cruise Meals
If you're joining a Milford Sound cruise, it's worth checking if meal options are available on board. Some cruises offer the opportunity to purchase a hot meal, which can be a convenient and enjoyable option while taking in the fiord’s scenery. With Luxe Tours, you have the added convenience of pre-booking and paying for your cruise meal when you book your tour, ensuring your meal is ready and waiting when you board the cruise.
For those taking a Milford Sound tour with any tour operator, it's always a good idea to check what food options, if any, are included. For instance, Luxe Tours provides a complimentary morning tea snack, freshly prepared by our friends at the Milford Road Merchant. However, we still advise our guests to bring along their own snacks for the day, especially when travelling with children.
Be aware that not every tour offers the same snack option, or an onboard lunch option for the cruise.
What Facilities Are Available In Milford Sound?
Public Toilets
Public toilets are located inside the cruise terminal at Milford Sound. These facilities are open to all visitors, whether you're taking a cruise or simply exploring the area.
Limited Wi-Fi and Phone Coverage
Wi-Fi and phone coverage are available near the cruise terminal, but the signal can be patchy and the Wi-Fi tends to be slow. While this might seem inconvenient, many visitors find that being disconnected enhances their experience, allowing for a rare opportunity to fully immerse themselves in nature without digital distractions.
Fuel Station
There is a small fuel station in Milford Sound, but the fuel prices are high. If you’re driving yourself to Milford Sound, we strongly recommend filling up your vehicle in Te Anau before heading off on your trip. This is particularly crucial during winter months when unexpected weather events could potentially leave you stranded on the road. Note that the fuel in Milford Sound is typically about 10-cents more per litre than that in Te Anau.
Car Park
Paid parking is available at Milford Sound, and the car park operates on a barrierless license plate recognition system, where you type your vehicle license plate number into the pay machines to pay for parking.
The pay machines are located at the entry/exit points of the car park and inside the cruise terminal. These machines accept only credit/debit cards, and parking costs NZD$10.00 per hour. If you're taking a cruise, plan to pay for at least two hours of parking.
The car park is also around a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal, and if it’s raining you will get wet, so come prepared. If you’re taking a Milford Sound tour, your tour guide will drop you directly outside the cruise terminal.
Airport
There is a small airport at Milford Sound, primarily used for scenic flights. This facility opens up opportunities for breathtaking aerial views of the fiord and surrounding landscapes with scenic plane and helicopter flight options. For example, at Luxe, we have the option to add a scenic helicopter flight to your Milford Sound tour, allowing you to see the stunning Milford Sound area from both on the ground and in the sky.
What Activities Are Available in Milford Sound?
Milford Sound Cruise
The most popular Milford Sound activity is a Milford Sound cruise. These scenic boat tours provide the opportunity to experience the majesty of the fiord from the water. Cruises typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours, taking you past towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and rare wildlife. A range of operators offer tours on vessels of varying sizes, and all cruises will include informative commentary about the area's history, geology, flora, and fauna.
Kayaking Tours
Kayaking tours with Roscoe's Milford Kayaks offer a unique perspective of the fiord. Gliding silently through the water, you'll get up close to the shoreline and rare wildlife, discovering hidden coves and feeling dwarfed by the surrounding cliffs. Roscoe’s offers a range of trip options to suit all skill levels from beginners to experienced paddlers.
Diving
Descend Diving offers expertly guided scuba diving tours catering to all skill levels. The fiord's unique underwater environment, created by a layer of tannin-rich freshwater sitting atop the seawater, allows deep-water species to thrive at relatively shallow depths, providing an incredible marine adventure in the depths of Milford Sound’s fiord.
Nature Walks
Foreshore Walk
The Foreshore Walk in Milford Sound is an easy, 400-metre loop track. The self-guided stroll takes around 30 minutes to complete and offers excellent views of Mitre Peak and access to the famous Milford Sound swing - a perfect photo opportunity.
Milford Track Day Walk
For a longer hike, you can take a 3-hour return day hike, exploring the renowned Milford Track. You can catch the Fiordland Outdoors water taxi (book in advance) from Deepwater Basin to the start of the track at Sandfly Point. This part of the track is relatively flat and easy-going, taking you through native forest to see the impressive 30-metre-high Giant Gate Falls before heading back to Sandfly Point and catching the water taxi back to Deepwater Basin.
Read more on a Luxe Milford Sound Day Tour 👇
What’s Not Available in Milford Sound?
Public Transport
You won't find public transportation options like buses, trains, or taxis in Milford Sound. Visitors must either drive themselves, book a tour, or arrange a scenic flight to access the area.
Shopping Centres
There are no stores, malls, or boutiques in Milford Sound. It's crucial to bring food, clothing, and necessary items with you or purchase them in Te Anau before your visit.
Why Are Facilities Limited in Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is part of Fiordland National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This status places strict regulations on development to preserve the area's natural integrity. Additionally, the region's location on the Alpine Fault makes it a highly seismic area, so any large-scale construction would be hazardous.
While these restrictions might seem inconvenient, they contribute significantly to Milford Sound's appeal. The limited development is part of what makes a visit here so special, offering a rare chance to experience one of the world's most beautiful locations in its near-pristine state. The lack of modern distractions also allows you to fully immerse yourself in the natural environment, disconnect from the busy modern world, and connect with nature in its purest form.
Milford Sound's limited facilities and development are precisely what makes it such a remarkable destination. The restrictions on construction and amenities preserve the area's natural beauty and offer visitors a rare opportunity to disconnect from the modern world and connect deeply with nature. While planning a trip to Milford Sound requires careful preparation and consideration of the available resources, the reward is an unparalleled experience in one of the world's most stunning locations.
Whether you're cruising the fiord, kayaking its waters, or hiking its shores, Milford Sound promises an experience that will leave you with lasting memories and a profound appreciation for the natural world.