Milford Sound Queenstown

Milford Sound is also referred to as Piopiotahi in Maori which is located in the south west of New Zealand's South Island. Milford Sound is classified as a fjord and is the most famous tourist site of South Island. It is situated within the Fiordland National Park which is also a part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site.

Milford Sound is named for Milford Haven in Wales. The Cleddau River flows into it and is similarly named for its Welsh namesake. The Maori name for the sound, Piopiotahi, means first native thrush. Milford Sound is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 metres or more on either side and runs about 15 kilometers inland from the Tasman Sea. There are lush rain forests that cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins, and dolphins frequent the waters.

Milford Sound is known as the wettest place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world with a mean annual rainfall of about 6813mm. You can experience about 250mm in a span of about 24 hours. Dozens of temporary waterfalls are created because of the rains cascading down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand meters in length. Accumulated rainwater can at times cause portions of the rain forest to lose their grip on the sheer cliff faces, resulting in tree avalanches into the Sound. The re growth of the rain forest after these avalanches can be seen in several locations along Milford Sound.

The natural beauty of Milford Sound draws thousands of visitors everyday which makes it one of the most visited and famous spots in New Zealand even with its remote location and the long journey from the nearest population centers. Most tourists who come here take one of the boat tours which usually last between 1-2 hours. Hiking and canoeing facilities are also available and a number of companies also offer overnight trips. Limited accommodation facilities are available.