The Pure Milford Journal

If you’re on a tight schedule, or really want to treat yourself, then a flightseeing tour is the trip for you!
At 4-5 hours return including the two hour cruise, it is the most time-efficient, and not to mention most magnificent, way to experience the Fiordland National Park by both sea and sky.

The crew at Pure Milford are proud to welcome you aboard two modern catamarans to explore their beautiful backyard, Piopiotahi / Milford Sound.

Take a well-earned day off driving and allow our team of professional and experienced driver guides share the very best of the Fiordland National Park with you on this all-inclusive full day tour.

The Milford road is beautiful, but it has its challenges. Here are a few of our top tips for driving to Milford Sound.

It's not the destination, it's the journey. Nowhere is this more accurate than in Fiordland. Piopiotahi / Milford Sound might be the star attraction that everyone travels to see, but the road to reach this natural wonder is studded with lakes, waterfalls, and lookout points. Break up the drive with a stroll around these top 10 spots you'll find on your way to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound.

Fiordland National Park is a hiker's dream. You can choose from short walks, day hike or multi-day tramping options, with three of New Zealand's ten Great Walks in the area!
Wander through alpine landscapes and lush rainforests, to catch glimpses of lakes, waterfalls and native birds. Milford Sound hikes invite you to dive right into this untouched wilderness. Here are the best hikes and day walks in and around Milford Sound.

Camping in Milford Sound is an awesome way to immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the region. There are a number of budget-friendly campsites along the road to Milford Sound. All of the DOC campgrounds along the road to Milford Sound are scenic campsites. This means they have fairly limited facilities, although you can expect toilets, water from either a tap or stream and vehicle access. Some also have wood-burning barbeques and picnic tables. In general, though, it's best to go prepared with all of your cooking equipment and a way of sterilising water.

Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in New Zealand. Combine heavy rainfall with steep mountain faces and you get some of the best waterfalls in New Zealand. Milford Sound’s waterfalls are spectacular and ever-changing, some permanent, some temporary. If it has rained within 24 hours of your cruise, you’ll see the cascades of water at their best. Keep an eye out for these five amazing waterfalls in Milford Sound.

Milford Sound is famous for being one of the wettest places in New Zealand. The number of waterfalls, lakes and rivers in the area is a testament to the amount of rainfall Milford Sound receives
If you're planning your trip to Milford Sound and wondering what to expect from the weather, here is an overview of Milford Sound's climate over the year.

Milford Sound's history is a fascinating patchwork of Maori legends and stories of early European settlers. From how sandflies arrived in the sound, to the woman behind the first accommodation for tourists, these tales tell of a place that is almost unbelievably beautiful and just as difficult to settle in.

Despite being one of the most tiny and remote settlements in New Zealand, there are still plenty of things to do in Milford Sound. Almost all activities involve taking in as much of the amazing scenery as possible, and for good reason!

From the lofty green treetops of the rainforest to the darkest depths of the sound, Milford Sound is a haven for wildlife. Short walks and longer hikes are ideal for spotting birds, while cruises are the best way to get up close to dolphins and seals.

As many as 85% of flowering plants in New Zealand are endemic, meaning you won’t see them anywhere else in the world. Fiordland is home to many of these unique plant species, plus many trees that are directly descended from the ancient continent of Gondwana. Here are some of the most unusual and interesting plants and trees you’ll see in and around Milford Sound.