About Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

Early Māori had passed through Milford Sound / Piopiotahi as long as 1000 years ago to find food and Pounamu (Greenstone), used for ornaments and weapons. Māori called Milford Sound Piopiotahi, after the now-extinct Piopio bird. According to Māori legend, Fiordland was carved by demi-god Tū Te Rakiwhānoa. He aimed to create areas stocked with birds and fish to sustain the people. He had considered Milford Sound / Piopiotahi his greatest work.

Europeans discovered Milford Sound in approximately 1812, and it is now a ‘must-see’ for all visitors to New Zealand. Described as the 8th wonder of the natural world by Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound was the original great New Zealand adventure, with visitors walking the 55-kilometre path of the Milford Track just to be able to reach Milford Sound.

Today, the Milford Track is still extremely popular and the construction of the Homer Tunnel in 1954 has opened up road access to Milford Sound, which allows all visitors to enjoy the spectacular scenery it has to offer without having to walk 55 kilometres first!

Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is located on the rugged West Coast and is the only one of the 12 Fiords that can be accessed by road. At Milford Sound, you can find a small airport, the Milford Wharf visitor terminal, the Milford Sound Lodge and a small Café. There are no shops in Milford Sound and visitors driving there should ensure they have a full tank of fuel.

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations, with scenic flights and boat cruises available to be able to see the full length of the fiord. Located 120 kilometres from Te Anau (or 290 kilometres from Queenstown), Milford Sound is best enjoyed as a full-day tour from Te Anau.

Along the journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound are many scenic stops and short walks, also the entry points to the Routeburn Track, Greenstone/Caples Tracks, and the Hollyford Track are also in the area. The Milford Track finishes with a boat ride across Deepwater Basin at the head of Milford Sound.