A Winter Guide to Milford Sound

A Winter Guide to Milford Sound

People come from around the world to experience the magic and wonder of Milford Sound in the heart of Fiordland National Park on the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island.

While I enjoyed visiting this region in the summertime (check out my guide here), it was in wintertime that I truly fell in love. The region is wonderful under a blanket of snow, crisp winter skies giving way to incredible stargazing and fresh air for hikes.


How to Get to Milford Sound

Milford Sound is accessible by just one road, the Milford Highway, which travels northward from Te Anau through Fiordland National Park. This drive takes just under two hours. I wrote a detailed guide in the summer on all the places to stop at along the way here.

jana meerman milford highway fiordland

Foreshore Walk

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over Milford Sound by completing the Foreshore Walk, a spectacular reflective display of the mountains against the fiord. It was a surreal moment - felt like being in a painting. (pictured above)

Milford Swing

On the beach, just a ways out from the Foreshore Walk, you'll find the perfectly instagrammable Milford Swing where you can sit back and enjoy the view.

jana meerman milford sound

Lake Marian Hike

Lake Marian is a fantastic hike in Fiordland National Park, about 40 minutes before you arrive to Milford Sound on Milford Highway. The lake is truly beautiful and the hike up there is good fun! Check out my detailed hiking guide here.

jana meerman lake marian milford sound 2
Jana Meerman

Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.

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