Milford Sound, a mesmerising glacier-carved fiord, used to be the local Maori's playground and was discovered by Captain John Grono only in 1812. Today, this fiord attracts visitors in their droves, thanks to sheer rock faces dripping with lush vegetation and thousand feet waterfalls cascading down to clear water pools below. There is also an abundance of wildlife, including seals, dolphins, penguins, whales and a wide variety of colourful birdlife.
July is the coldest month of the year with temperatures ranging from 1 degree to 9 degrees Celsius in the daytime. Rainfall drops to an average of 418mm with 15 rainfall days on average, making it the lowest throughout the year. Winter is a great time to visit Milford Sound because the fantastic landscape remains the same; however, the crowds have gone. Although keep in mind that there could be of snow to contend with, plus there are no overnight cruises in winter.
Despite not being able to go on an overnight cruise, don't miss out on a daytime cruises of Milford Sound; it's an unmissable experience whatever the weather. Check out Mitre Peak Cruises their smaller boats ply the deep icy waters and can go far nearer the stunning waterfalls and wildlife than the bigger boats can. They also provide the only cruise that goes past St Anne's Lighthouse to the Tasman Sea.
The Milford Sound Fly-over gives a different view of Milford Sound, this time from the air. Marvel at the fantastic bird's eye views of snow-capped peaks and the fiord. Queenstown to Milford Sound and back will take 45 minutes.
