Milford Sound was named so in recognition of its geographic features, a large ocean inlet flanked by sheer rock faces and majestic peaks. Milford Sound, carved out by an erosion of ancient glacial ice, is actually a fiord in the southwest of the South Island that opens to the Tasman Sea. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life. Boat tours are a really popular way to explore the sound, or for the more adventurous, kayak tours are a great way to get closer to nature. The Milford road offers many scenic alpine walking tracks, that lead to stunning waterfalls, ice fields and mountain lakes. The Milford Track, a 53.5km world famous 3-day tramp which traverses rain forests, wetlands and an alpine pass finishes at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound.
Many view the Milford Sound by boat. Photographer credit: Ben Hopkinson.
There's no question as to why the Milford Sound came in voted at number one. Photographer credit: Ben Hopkinson.
