Milford Sound, New Zealand, the country's most popular tourist destination, is a majestic fjord located within Fiordland National Park, Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site and the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve in the South Island of New Zealand.
January is the warmest month of the year although the weather is still cool with an average of 15 degrees Celsius. It can go as low as 1 degree Celsius at night and as high as 21 degrees during daytime, slightly lower than nearby Wanaka in terms of temperature. Milford Sound, New Zealand is one of the wettest places in the world with rainfall at its highest during this month at an average rainfall of 717mm.
Even with an average of 16 rain days at this resort, it would be a great experience to go on the Real Journeys Milford Sound Scenic Cruise that can be booked at the Visitor Terminal. These cruises start at £36 for 1 hour and 40 minutes and will take visitors onboard modern purpose built vessels with large decks and comfortable lounges that allow a closer look at the beautiful vistas, go near the waterfalls and see seals, dolphins and penguins up close. January has the highest rainfall throughout the year and is double that of June.
Budget accommodation is available in this popular resort at the Milford Sound Lodge, which provide various options, including luxury riverside chalets, campervan sites, tent sites and backpacker style rooms. Amenities such as the well-equipped guest kitchen and Wi-Fi internet are included. Backpacking cabins cost from £75 per night while quad rooms with 2 bunk beds per room start from £17 per person per night.
Rain or shine, nearby Wanaka is another great place to explore especially on 19 January 2013 when it hosts the Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival at Lake Wanaka. It is dubbed the most scenic iron distance triathlon with a combined distance of 226 km.
