Milford Sound is the most well-known and most accessible of all the fiords in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. Its 16 kilometre (14 nautical miles) length is lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres or more from the water. At 1692 metres, the iconic Mitre Peak is a spectacular sight and New Zealand’s most photographed mountain.
Milford Sound is in the heart of a rainforest (annual rainfall is 6,813mm) which creates walls of temporary waterfalls on a wet day receding to just two permanent waterfalls (Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls) in drier conditions.
Getting there is nearly as spectacular as the actual cruising of the fjord (we had a smaller boat but many big boats are available to carry all the tourists through). The Milford highway features many unique and spectacular stops where one can see the force of water, clear lakes and wildlife such as the inquisitive Kea.
