Where to stay in Milford Sound

Milford Sound Accommodation

There are so many exciting things to see and do in Milford Sound, and a great way to see and do it all is by staying the night at the Milford Sound Lodge. With an extended overnight trip to Milford, you’ll be able to experience the area that much better!

Spending the night in Milford is the perfect way to explore all that Milford Sound has to offer. You can go on boat cruise, join a kayaking tour, go hiking and see Milford during its least busy times (first thing in the morning as well as in the evening!)

In this blog, we’re not only going to reveal where to stay in Milford Sound but also the reasons why staying the night in Milford is so special!

Benefits of staying the night in Milford Sound

There are many reasons why you should consider spending the night in Milford Sound. We’ve listed a few below!

See more of Milford

Of course, you’re able to do more activities when you spend the night in Milford. You can do some of the many nearby Milford hikes such as The Chasm, Lake Marian or the Milford lookout hike. You’re also able to join some of our longest Milford boat cruises as well as go kayaking and visit Milford Underwater Observatory without being rushed for time.

Explore parts of Milford Sound that very few people get to see by having that extra time to explore and do as much or as little as you want.

It’s more relaxed

But besides that, you’re able to take your time getting to and from Milford Sound. The stretch of road between Te Anau and Milford Sound is simply gorgeous. There are tons of places to stop to take in the views and explore. If you’re making a multi-day trip out of your visit to Milford Sound, then you’ll have ample time to explore this road. Plus, you can travel when it suits you since you don’t need to be so rushed!

See Milford without the crowds

The best part about spending the night in Milford Sound is being able to explore the area when it’s quiet. Most tourists visit Milford on a day trip from Queenstown or Te Anau, which makes the hours between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm very busy!

If you head to the Milford foreshore for sunset you’ll be rewarded with an incredible show. The sunsets in Milord Sound are unlike anywhere else in the world. And not only are they beautiful, but chances are you will be one of the few people in the entire fiord!

And then in the morning, you can get up and jump on a boat cruise before all of the other tourists arrive. You can see Milford peacefully and really enjoy the beauty of the area without sharing it with a bunch of other tourists (although, it is gigantic, so rest assured you won’t ever feel squished!)

The perfect place to stay in Milford Sound is at the Milford Sound Lodge. In fact, it really is your only option! There are no other accommodation options offered close to Milford Sound which makes Milford Lodge an ideal choice. Here are a few reasons why:

It’s located close to Milford Sound

Milford Sound Lodge is only 1.5 kilometres from the Milford Sound terminal, meaning you don’t even need to drive and can actually walk if you’d like – talk about convenient! There are no other lodges or campgrounds even remotely as close to Milford Sound as Milford Lodge, making it the perfect base for exploring this beautiful fiord. Not only that, but Milford Lodge is nestled between mountains along the Cleddau River. This is a truly scenic spot to spend the night.

A variety of accommodation options available

One great thing about Milford Sound Lodge is that it offers such a large range of accommodation options, so there’s something for everyone. They offer powered campsites for caravans or campervans, standard double rooms for couples, or even luxury chalets for families or those who would just like to have some space!

More than just a place to sleep

At Milford Sound Lodge, you’ll find a beautiful restaurant and bar as well as a café. Both are set in the most breathtaking location with indoor and outdoor seating areas. But if you prefer to cook for yourself, the chalets have kitchens, and there is a large fully equipped communal kitchen for everyone else – make sure to bring your ingredients with you!>

Also at Milford Lodge, you’ll have access to the internet (a luxury in Fiordland National Park), hot showers, plenty of seating areas, beautiful walks around and near the lodge, as well as super helpful staff that can help you book and plan all of your activities in Milford.

What to Pack for an Overnight Trip in Milford Sound

There are some things you’ll want to make sure you bring with you when you spend the night at Milford Lodge. Here’s a packing list of some extras we put together:

• Rainproof clothing – a waterproof jacket is a must as rain is very common in Milford Sound. In fact, it rains more than 200 days a year in Milford!
• Warm clothing – in the winter it can get especially cold in Fiordland National Park. But even in the summer, it’s important to be prepared because temperatures can drop in the evenings and early mornings.
• Sunscreen – the New Zealand sun is harsh and you’ll want to protect yourself.
• Insect Repellent – little sandflies love to hang around Milford Sound and they bite! So, be sure to bring insect repellent.
• Snacks and food – if you don’t want to purchase every meal, be sure to bring some snacks or food to cook at the lodge’s communal kitchen. There is no grocery store or shops to purchase food in Milford (besides small snack bars) so be sure to come fully stocked! The nearest large grocery store can be found in Te Anau.

Besides those few items, the Milford Sound Lodge has everything else you might need! The kitchen is fully equipped, they provide tons of blankets for cold nights, and they even have some natural insect repellent to use while you’re at the lodge (it works like a dream!)

Stay in Queenstown and visit Milford Sound on a Day Trip

Spending the night in Milford isn’t for everybody. If you’re short on time or just generally love Queenstown, then staying in Queenstown and visiting Milford Sound on a day trip is a great alternative. You can easily book your own accommodation in Queenstown and then go on one of our day trips to Milford.

On our Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown, our coach will take you all the way to Milford Sound and back again in one day. The coach stops at some of the most scenic places along the way and your local guide will offer live commentary.
At the start of the day, our coach will pick you up from your central Queenstown hotel. It’s a full door to door service where you’re driven to Milford Sound to jump aboard a cruise before being driven back to your Queenstown hotel again at the end of the day.

A day trip to Milford starts early in the morning at around 7am and you’ll return to Queenstown around 6pm. Lunch is provided for this long day so you can be sure to stay full. Our buses are also very comfortable offering Free Wi-Fi for the first half of the trip (as WiFi isn’t available after Te Anau) and USB charging ports.

Whether you choose to spend the night in Milford or opt for a day trip, you’re sure to be amazed by what you see. A trip to Milford Sound will undoubtedly be one of your New Zealand highlights! Book your stay at Milford Sound Lodge (be sure to book in advance as they often are fully booked), or check out our day trips from Queenstown to Milford Sound!

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