By plane
The best and most spectacular way to see and experience every thing Milford Sound has to offer is to fly in on a beautiful day. The flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown, Te Anau or Wanaka is undoubtedly one of the worldâs greatest scenic flights. With unsurpassed views of the mountains and glaciers on route.
There are a number of flightseeing operators that fly light aircraft and helicopters into Milford Sound from Queenstown,Wanaka or Te Anau.
Fiordland Helicopters offers a spectacular scenic helicopter flight from Te Anau into Milford Sound. Perfect if you are running short of time and want to save yourself the 4 hour drive. With 2 landings inside the Park boundaries, one high on the Tutoko Glacier if weather permits and the other high above the Sutherland Falls it's an experience you don't want to miss. Learn some history of the National Park from experienced, friendly local pilots and take in a birds eye view of Milford Sound, Mitre Peak and the Fiordland National Park with it's majestic mountains and breathtaking scenery.
By car
From Te Anau, it is 120 km on State Highway 94. Allow plenty of time and fuel, at least 2-3 hours from Te Anau, when travelling to Milford Sound by car. The road winds through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand as it climbs up to the Homer Tunnel. The Homer Tunnel is a single lane tunnel, although it has been fitted with traffic lights in 2004, you may still experience a wait while opposing traffic clears the tunnel. You may also want to break your journey along the road to take photographs or investigate scenic spots - including Mirror Lakes, views of the Hollyford and The Chasm.
State Highway 94 is a high pass and regularly has icy conditions between June and November. It is also subject to avalanches. All cars must carry chains in winter and the Transit New Zealand information kiosk 8km north of Te Anau will check that you are carrying them and can fit them. High risk sections of the road are marked with a red cross on a blue background and with 'no stopping' signs, do not stop your car on these sections of road. Review the state of the road at Transit New Zealand (http://www.transit.govt.n...) before departing; if the risk of an avalanche is "high" the road will be closed and if it is "moderate" it may close at short notice. Drivers not experienced at driving on ice and snow might prefer a bus tour.
By bus
Possibly the nicest way to get to Milford Sound is to take a sightseeing tour from Queenstown or Te Anau.
Many different companies operate daily coach tours into Milford Sound you can include in your itinerary a boat cruise.
Real Journeys see "sleep" operates daily coach tours to Milford Sound, connecting with Real Journeys range of day and overnight cruises.
On foot
Perhaps the best and most traditional way to get to Milford Sound is to walk the Milford Track. Bookings are essential for this popular 4 day walk. Walkers need to understand that the only reason they can walk the Milford Track in the numbers they do is because the track is serviced by helicopters. So if while on the track you feel like complaining about the noise of aircraft. Remember they are probably taking out all, and I mean all waste products produced by people walking the track. They also bring in supplies for the lodges, carry out Medivacs etc.