Milford Sound Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

The easiest ways to travel to Milford Sound are by bus, private car or campervan. The most popular jumping-off points for the trip are the towns of Te Anau or Queenstown, although the trip from Queenstown takes twice as long.

Allow around 2.5 hours to drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound, or a little longer if the weather is particularly wet or you would like to stop and take photos along the way.

Getting around at Milford Sound either involves hiking or taking a boat cruise. 

It rains around 200 days a year at Milford Sound, and the weather is notoriously changeable, so deciding when to visit essentially comes down to luck.

Rain, hail or shine, Milford Sound is stunning, so it doesn't matter what the weather is like, provided you have brought the right clothes along.

If you are visiting in winter, it is worth noting the road into Milford Sound can be closed occasionally due to harsh weather.

Milford Sound is all about enjoying the great outdoors. Gear which can be layered is the best option as the weather can be very changeable.

For example, it can be chilly when you set off from Te Anau in the early morning but the weather at Milford Sound could be sunny and warm (or vice versa).

Either way, you should definitely pack some warm clothes and a waterproof jacket.

Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are a must as the sun reflects off the water. Bring all the essentials with you as there are no shops at Milford Sound. 

Milford Sound is all about enjoying the great outdoors so layered active or hiking clothes are the best things to wear. 

There is no internet access at Milford Sound or for much of the drive to and from Te Anau. 

There is no mobile phone coverage at Milford Sound or for much of the drive to and from Te Anau. 

We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.