The Complete Travel Guide to Milford Sound 🏔️ [2024]© Great South
The Complete Travel Guide to Milford Sound 🏔️ [2024]

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids 🏔️ [2024]

© Great South

The Top Family Activities in Milford Sound

What is the best way to experience Milford Sound with children? Well, pretty much the same as everyone else! The cruises are family-friendly, the flights are awesome, and there are plenty of short walks that are easy and entertaining for the whole family. Just because you have the little ones in tow doesn’t mean you have to miss the majestic fiords, wonderful waterfalls and wildlife sightings. In fact, it enhances it to share the scenery with loved ones. So compile your family bucket list with these things to do in Milford Sound with kids.

For more tips, check out The Family Guide to Milford Sound and check out accommodation options in the 10 Best Accommodations in Milford Sound.

1. Look Out for Wildlife and See Spectacular Waterfalls on a Milford Sound Cruise

Families are spoilt for choice once they reach the Milford Marina. There are several cruises to choose from, all loosely following the same route around Milford Sound, showing you the same towering peaks and valleys, and taking a dip under Stirling Falls. One of the most family-friendly cruises is Pure Milford. Not only does the cruise offer unique a glass roof and various sundecks that provide unparalleled views, but it also boasts a “Kids Corner” with books, toys and games to keep the little adventurers entertained. With self-drive and cruise, coach and cruise, and fly and cruise combos, Pure Cruise also allows you to curate the perfect Milford Sound experience. Learn more about Pure Milford and book your adventure at puremilford.co.nz!

Location: Cruises depart from the Milford Marina at the end of State Highway 94. Alternatively, tours with cruises included are available from Queenstown and Te Anau, as listed in the 15 Best Milford Sound Tours from Queenstown & Te Anau.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids 🏔️ [2024]© Pure Milford

2. Fly Over the Fiord in a Scenic Flight

Another cool way to take in the glorious views of Milford Sound is via a helicopter tour. Milford Sound Helicopters departs from Milford Sound Airport, offering families several flight options, from their 25-minute flight climbing Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls to their 45-minute flight heading over Sutherland Falls and the Tutuko Glacier. Flights are suitable for all ages and infant seats are available. You also have a multitude of flight options from Queenstown and Te Anau, including a fly-cruise-fly combo with Pure Milford, which eliminates that torturously long drive to Milford Sound – check them out in the 10 Best Scenic Flights to Milford Sound.

Location: Milford Sound Airport, State Highway 94, Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids© Megan Thomas - Destination Fiordland

3. Get Some Postcard Snaps Along the Milford Foreshore Walk

Suitable for all ages and strollers, the Milford Foreshore Walk gives you those iconic views of Mitre Peak (the highest peak in Milford Sound). You’ll also meander through beech forest until you reach the sandy foreshore where you can watch the boats go in and out and even spot a few native ducks. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. See more easy walks like this in the 10 Best Walks in Milford Sound.

Location: Starts at the main visitor car park of Milford Sound, State Highway 94, Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids 🏔️ [2024]© Great South

4. Stop by the Mirror Lakes

The Mirror Lakes Walk is an easy pitstop on the way to Milford Sound, a fully boarded walk showcasing a reflective lake and mountain views. While the walk is officially a 10-minute walk, it takes much less but most only admire the attraction for about 10 minutes. Watch the New Zealand scaup (diving ducks) duck under the reflective water’s surface and enjoy the views of the Earl Mountains. Check out more amazing sights along the Milford Sound Road in the 20 Stops You Can’t Miss on the Road to Milford Sound.

Location: State Highway 94, approximately 61 km (38 mi) from Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids© Unsplash

5. Enjoy the Forest and Lake Scenery of the Lake Gunn Nature Walk

Another one to enjoy on your way in or out of Milford Sound, the Lake Gunn Nature Walk is a 45-minute loop walk. It takes you through magnificent red beech forest to the shores of Lake Gunn with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. While wandering between the moss-covered trees, keep an eye out for native birds like riflemen, tomtits and more.

Location: Cascade Creek car park, State Highway 94, approximately 43 km (27 mi) from Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids 🏔️ [2024]© Tim Roxborogh - Great South

6. Check Out the Underwater Observatory

An alternative and interesting way to experience Milford Sound with kids is at the underwater observatory with Southern Discoveries, only accessed as an add-on on the Southern Discoveries cruise. Tucked away in Harrison Cove, the underwater observatory is New Zealand’s only floating observatory, taking you 64 steps down to a viewing chamber some 10 m (30 ft) under the water. Due to Milford Sound’s dark waters, it gives you a unique opportunity to see black coral species that are usually only seen in deepsea trenches. See snake stars and starfish as your guide gives commentary on Milford Sound’s fragile marine life. Learn more about Southern Discoveries and read reviews on Viator and Klook.

Location: Southern Discoveries cruises depart from the Milford Marina at the end of State Highway 94.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids© Southern Discoveries

7. See Spectacular Waterfalls on the Lake Marian Falls Track

Although not stroller-friendly, the Lake Marian Falls Track is easy enough for kids to walk taking 20 minutes to complete. Kids love crossing the cool swingbridge to see a spectacular series of cascading waterfalls. The Lake Marian Track continues from here, which is three hours return but is steep and sometimes muddy – perhaps better suited to older children who enjoy hiking.

Location: Lake Marian car park, Hollyford Road, approximately 32 km (20 mi) from Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids© Unsplash

8. Enjoy a Stroll to Peaceful Lake Mistletoe

Easily accessed from the Milford Road more toward the Te Anau end, the Lake Mistletoe Track is a 45-minute return walk to a small picturesque lake. You might be lucky to see New Zealand scaup (those diving ducks again!), frogs and other wetland wildlife. Learn more about your journey on the Milford Road with The Guide to Milford Sound and the Milford Road.

Location: State Highway 94, approximately 90 km (56 mi) from Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

9. Experience Milford Sound by Kayak

For more adventurous families, get out on the water on a Milford Sound kayaking tour! Kids aged eight years and up can join in on the fun on Rosco’s Milford Kayaks‘ two-hour “Milford Cruiser” tour, which is one of the more relaxed paddles in the fiord. You’ll team up in a double kayak and head over to Lady Bowen Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in Milford Sound! Note that other kayak tours in Milford Sound tend to have an age limit of 14 or 16 years old.

Location: Deepwater Basin Road, approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) from Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

10. Check Out the Dramatic Formations of The Chasm

On your way in or out of Milford Sound, stop by The Chasm Walk, which takes you over several footbridges to admire a chasm carved deep into the Cleddau River. There are all sorts of water-sculpted shapes to spot on this walk that keep kids interested for the whole 20 minutes it takes to do. What’s more, it’s stroller accessible.

Location: State Highway 94, approximately 10 km (6 mi) from Milford Sound.

10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

More Things to Do in Milford Sounds with Kids

That’s it for our official list of things to do in Milford Sound with kids. For more experiences to choose from, take a look at the following guides:

Finally, get inspired for more experiences around the country with our 20 Best Things to Do on the South Island with Kids and 50 Best Things to Do in New Zealand with Kids.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

Was this article useful?

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter

Recommended For You