Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Milford Sound?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Milford Sound?

Many travelers spend two to six days in Milford Sound during their visit. After all, the remote fiord has plenty to explore such as the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, and skiing and snowboarding.

Milford Sound is a fiord and natural area that is filled with stunning scenery and majestic mountains. There are rainforests, waterfalls, and the world renowned Milford Track. There are also lakes and beautiful boat trips, as well as world famous hikes.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Milford Sound? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Milford Sound?

With only three days, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the outdoors and scenery. To fully embrace Milford Sound, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to two to six days to experience Mitre Peak as well as go hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, and ski down the slopes. However, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your time.

How to spend 3 days in Milford Sound

Known for it's hiking, Milford Sound sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the world's best hikes. It's also, arguably, the most famous hike in New Zealand. The 53 kilometer trek takes you from Lake Te Anau through stunning scenery, alpine settings, and across spectacular suspension bridges.

Milford Sound is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. This is one of the most spectacular natural settings in New Zealand. The remoteness, combined with the mountains, waterfalls, and stunning views make this a true bucket list destination.

Don't miss Mitre Peak during your trip to Milford Sound, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Snow skiing takes the spotlight during the winter season, so set aside at least a day to hit the slopes. Many locals head to the snow-capped peaks to enjoy skiing, but if you're unfamiliar with the area, a ski tour is your best option.

Is 4 days enough time in Milford Sound?

Four days is the perfect amount of time here, as many visitors prefer to spend around two to six days exploring the area. You'll be able to take in the beautiful landscapes and scenery, as well as the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, and skiing and snowboarding. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.

Milford Sound Milford Sound

How to spend 4 days in Milford Sound

With 4 days in Milford Sound, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the fiord has to offer.

After you've explored most of Milford Sound, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Is 5 days enough time in Milford Sound?

Five days is more than enough time to see everything in the area. Many visitors prefer to spend two to six days here, so you'll be able to go hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, and ski down the slopes at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the region.

How to spend 5 days in Milford Sound

If you have more than 5 days in Milford Sound, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the fiord has to offer.

With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Milford Sound, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Milford Sound, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.