Milford Sound | Tracknet Transport

×Great Walks Update: Milford & Routeburn transport packages are live from Friday 14th of August 2020! Please book hut tickets before reserving your transport.

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MILFORD SOUND

Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

Early Māori had passed through Milford Sound / Piopiotahi around 1000 years ago to find food and also Pounamu (Greenstone) which was used for ornaments and weapons. Māori called Milford Sound Piopiotahi, after the now extinct Piopio bird. According to Māori legend, Fiordland was carved out by demi-god Tū Te Rakiwhānoa. His aim was to create areas stocked with birds and fish to sustain the people and had considered Milford Sound / Piopiotahi his greatest work. Milford Sound was discovered by Europeans in approximately 1812 and 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 gain entrance to 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.

Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is located on the rugged West Coast and is the only one of the 12 Fiords that is able to 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.

Milford Sound To:
Summer Timetable (27TH OCTOBER 2020 TO 1ST MAY 2021)
Routeburn – The Divide	2:30pm	5:00pm
Te Anau Downs	2:30pm	5:00pm
Te Anau	2:30pm	5:00pm
Queenstown	2:30pm

Activities in Milford (Winter Timetable)
Milford Adventure Park & Ride + Cruise	9:30am	Departing from Te Anau, Milford Adventure offer a full day Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Day Tour. On your journey you will discover that Milford Sound is the 8th wonder of the world.