Today I'm talking to you about one of the essential activities (not to say the activity) of a road trip in New Zealand: a Milford Sound cruise. For those who do not know Milford Sound, it is none other than (one of) the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand. Milford Sound is an impressive fjord reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Magnificent landscapes in front of which we remain speechless. A cruise in the middle of this fjord is the best way to discover it. In this article we tell you everything about cruises in Milford Sound: Which company to choose? Rates, where to book?, access to Milford Sound and at the end of the article you will discover my opinion on Milford Sound even if you probably already have a little idea.
Summary:
> Milford Sound: natural wonder
> Which company for a Milford Sound cruise?
> What is the price of a Milford Sound cruise
> Milford Sound cruise from Queenstown
> Course of the cruise
> Access and parking
> Discover Milford Sound differently
> My opinion on the Milford Sound cruise Direct link :
This link will allow you to book your Milford Sound cruise directly Book your Milford Sound cruise Related articles:
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Milford Sound: natural wonder
Milford Sound is truly a natural wonder, one of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand. This landscape results from the atypical location of New Zealand located at the meeting of two tectonic plates. This location is the consequence of many breathtaking landscapes of the country. However the fjord is not only the result of the collision of these plates. Indeed, even if this caused the elevation of the rocks, it is a few million years later that its landscapes appear. It was during the Ice Age that the large amounts of snow that fell formed glaciers. These glaciers find themselves prisoners of the reliefs of the region until their melting. It is at this moment that these landscapes are created. As the glaciers melt, they sculpt the mountains, lower them and form these impressive shapes that seem to rise from the water. The rising waters that followed flooded the valleys dug by these glaciers.
These fjords are impressive in their size! Miter Peak, the highest peak in the area, is over 1600 meters high. The depth of the fjord exceeds, in places, 400 meters. You will have understood the best way to visit Milford Sound and take a cruise there to get as close as possible to these mountain slopes and contemplate the magnificent waterfalls.
Don't miss a thing on the Milford Road
Milford Sound is certainly a magnificent fjord, but so is the road that leads to it! Indeed only one road is unique, the Milford Road joins Milford Sound. This road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. There are many stops there to contemplate the lakes that are there but also the plains with these magnificent mountains in the background.In addition to the landscapes, the fauna is also surprising, such as at the entrance to the tunnel that leads to Milford Sound where there are many Kea, these very playful mountain parrots who will be happy to jump on the roof of your car! If you opt for a bus journey from Queenstown, then many stops will be made.
Which company for a Milford Sound cruise?
Now for the main activity of Milford Sound, a cruise in the middle of the fjord. We will see in detail a little later the course of a Milford Sound cruise. First of all, let's take a look at the different companies that offer a cruise on this fjord. They are numerous and all have their advantages and disadvantages.
Here are some criteria that will help you choose your company.
- The size of the boat: This is one of the most striking differences between the companies. Some offer to embark on large boats with a larger number of people. The advantage is above all the comfort and service on board the boat. Companies offering smaller boats have the advantage of having a more family-friendly side but also of going slightly further into the fjord than the big boats.
- The number of cruises: The other criterion is the number of cruises offered. Indeed it will be necessary above all that the hours of cruises coincide with your schedule. Depending on whether you arrive in the morning or in the afternoon, the choice of cruise will not be the same.
- Service on board : Some companies highlight the service offered on board the boat. Simple snack for some, meal for others, the services are different from one company to another.
- The price : Of course the price will also be a determining criterion in the choice of your Milford Sound cruise but I'll tell you about that a little further down.
Here are the main companies offering cruises in Milford Sound:
- Mitre Peak offer smaller but more family-oriented boats. Miter Peak cruises have the advantage of going further than other companies.
> Book your cruise with Miter Peak - Real Journeys is one of the biggest companies, it offers the biggest boats in the fjord and the largest number of crossings.
> Book your cruise with Real Journeys - Go Orange offers free meals and medium-sized boats, it is renowned for offering good value for money.
> Book your cruise with Go Orange - Southern Discoveries offers a slightly higher rate than its competitors but offers entry to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
> Book your cruise with Southern Discoveries - Juicy, the famous van rental company also offers cruises in Milford Sound, some departing directly from Queenstown, but we'll talk about that too below.
> Book your cruise with Juicy
It is sometimes complicated to navigate between all these companies. If I can guide you on your choice I will advise you to take the Miter Peak company. I took this cruise on this company. The size of the boats is smaller which makes cruising much more user-friendly. In addition, the small boat size allows it to go further. No company comes closer to the waterfalls, nor advances so much towards the sea. The cruise is slightly longer.
Book your cruise with Miter Peak
What is the price of a Milford Sound cruise
The prices for a Milford Sound cruise are roughly the same. They vary from one company to another but remain, most of the time around 40 to 50€ around 80 NZ$.
Be aware that it is possible to find much cheaper cruises by going to the BookMe.co.nz site. This New Zealand activity booking site offers many discounts depending on the company and the time you want to take the cruise. It is common to find offers at half price, or even sometimes even cheaper. On the image below you will see offers at 20 NZ$ or 12€! This is mainly due to less frequentation at these times. The goal is to fill as many cruises as possible, so the first places are sold cheaper.c
Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown
Several companies offer, in addition to the cruise in Milford, a transfer from the city of Queenstown. Indeed Queenstown is the main city around Milford Sound (4 hours drive separate them anyway).
These excursions have several advantages, the first is for people who have come to Queenstown by plane and do not have a vehicle. It is then possible to visit Milford Sound from this city. The journey includes many stops at various points of interest on the Milford Road.
The other advantage, this one is for everyone, is that it is less tiring to let yourself be driven, by bus, rather than to do the many kilometers that separate Queenstown from Milford Sound.
These excursions include, most of the time, the journey, the meal as well as the cruise in Milford Sound. Count a little more than 100€ for these excursions. This remains, most of the time, more economical than car rental and above all more relaxing.
The departure will, of course, be early in the morning, around 7 a.m. and end around 18 p.m.
Cruise schedule
Small zoom on the progress of the cruise in Milford Sound. Once you arrive (we will see the issue of access and parking just below) go to the end of the road, at the small “harbour” of Milford Sound. All the companies are in the same place, impossible to go wrong. Enter the building and go to the counter of your company. Give your name for the reservation, a ticket will then be given to you, then head to the boat indicated.
It left for a 1h30 cruise. The duration varies depending on the company chosen. From the beginning the landscapes are fantastic. You will discover on your right the Bowen Falls. The cruise continues in the fjord, several stops and explanations are planned.
If you are lucky you will be able to see the incredible fauna that lives around the fjord such as seals, sea lions but also dolphins, and sometimes even killer whales and whales.
Note that the fjordland region where Milford Sound is located is one of the rainiest in the country and even in the world. For the cruise this is not really a problem, it is common to say that the cruise in Milford Sound is more impressive in rainy weather, because it swells the waterways and therefore the many waterfalls of the fjord . Waterfalls will be discussed especially during the cruise, notably the Stirling Falls, the highest waterfalls in the fjord. The boat is approaching it very closely, these are really impressive.
In terms of equipment, nothing special to take apart from a rain suit. You will learn it very quickly if you travel to New Zealand the weather changes very quickly so even if the weather seems mild to you, I strongly advise you to take rain gear with you during the cruise. Depending on the season and the temperature, a jacket or a sweater may be a good idea, even if you will be protected in the fjord, the wind will be much more present at the mouth of the fjord.
Also, don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen (like everywhere in New Zealand for that matter). The sun, like the rain, can appear very quickly and become a bit annoying if you don't have enough to protect yourself.
Access, parking and accommodation
When it comes to access and parking, nothing could be simpler in Milford Sound. A single road leads to Milford Sound. You will undeniably arrive in Milford Sound via State Highway 94 (the Milford Road). You cannot miss the tourist office (the I-Site). Next door is the Milford Sound car park. A large car park where you will easily find space to park your car, your van or your motorhome.
You will then have about 200 meters to walk to reach the cruise departure point.
Milford Sound is a very small village. You will only find a small restaurant, located at the I-Site, as well as a small supermarket.
When it comes to accommodation, the choice is slim. If you are traveling by van or motorhome you will find a large number of DOC campsites. Campsites with a minimum of equipment, most of the time only dry toilets. Some campsites are reserved only for self-contained vehicles (equipped with toilets). These campsites have the advantage of being located in magnificent places, often in the middle of nature and only cost a few dollars (between 8 and 12).
If you want to stay closer to where the Milford Sound cruises depart, then you can head straight down the road to Milford Sound. There is a campsite, more upscale, offering toilets, showers, kitchens. This campsite also offers different types of accommodation such as dormitories or much more luxurious lodges.
Discover Milford Sound differently
Even if the cruise remains the best way to discover Milford Sound, other solutions are available to you to discover the fjord differently.
- Milford Sound and Kayak: A kayak trip in the middle of this sumptuous fjord is a fabulous and unforgettable activity that many will appreciate. Milford Sound Kayak Tour
- Survol de Milford Sound : It is also possible to fly over Milford Sound by plane. Departing from Milford Sound, Queenstwon or even Wanaka, flights allow you to contemplate this impressive fjord but also to combine the two. Fly from Queenstown, fly over the fjord and then land to cruise back to Queenstown by air. More expensive, certainly, much faster and more impressive, the flight to Milford can be a very good solution. Flight from Queenstown + Cruise
- A night on Milford Sound: It is also possible to take a high-end cruise of the fjord and even spend the night on it to enjoy the sunset and sunrise in the midst of these spectacular landscapes. Spend a night in the middle of Milford Sound
My Milford Sound cruise review
Cruising in Milford Sound is undoubtedly one of the essentials of a trip to New Zealand. The landscapes are breathtaking, whether during your trip to Milford Sound or during the cruise. In addition, the very reasonable price of cruises, especially with a discount on BookMe for example, makes cruising even more affordable.
If the road scares you, do not hesitate to opt for an excursion departing from Queenstown. This will allow you to visit Milford Sound in one day and save time on your schedule.
