How to Plan a Honeymoon or Romantic Getaway to Milford Sound
If there was ever a statement honeymoon or romantic getaway, this would be it. Amidst a World Heritage Area, home to unique wildlife in a glacier-carved landscape that has been millions of years in the making, Milford Sound is a dramatic destination ideal for celebrating life’s most dramatic moments. Treat you and your loved one to some of the most spectacular scenery on intimate flights, relationship-building kayak tours or on hikes that you can enjoy just the two of you. If you’re lucky enough to book onto the overnight cruises or into the Milford Sound Lodge, then you’ll be the envy of most couples with a Milford Sound overnight stay on their bucket list.
Plan your romantic getaway, anniversary or honeymoon with this complete honeymoon and romantic getaway guide to Milford Sound.
Romantic Activities in Milford Sound
- Enjoy an intimate scenic flight with Milford Sound Helicopters (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
- Team up in a double kayak to explore the fiord with Rosco’s Milford Kayaks (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
- Take a scenic day cruise…
- … Or a romantic overnight cruise with RealNZ (on Klook, Viator and Tripadvisor)
- Walk together on one of the Milford Road walks.
For more details on each experience, see the 5 Most Romantic Things to Do in Milford Sound for Couples.
Romantic Adventure Activities
Treat your loved one to some of the most sublime views of New Zealand (and arguably the world) with one of the romantic scenic adventures of Milford Sound.
Scenic Flights
A scenic flight is an intimate experience that’s bound to take your breath away. No other activity captures the majesty of the fiord and its surrounding mountains, waterfalls and glaciers quite like a helicopter or fixed-wing flight. If you’re making your own way to Milford Sound, Milford Sound Helicopters (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) can handle the rest, offering spectacular scenic flights from the Milford Sound Airport. Alternatively, there are a ton of flights from Queenstown that swap the lengthy drive for staggering aerial views of the Fiordland National Park.
Scenic Walks from the Milford Road
For something more “down-to-earth”, so to speak, enjoy a more independent experience walking the trails together. There are countless walks to be done on the Milford Road between Milford Sound and Te Anau. Choose from short romantic walks on the shores of the Lake Gunn Nature Walk to half-day hikes with dramatic scenery like the Key Summit Track. Learn about these hikes and much more in the 11 Milford Sound Walks You Can’t Miss and the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Milford Sound.
Kayaking in Milford Sound
And for more active couples who want to get out on the water of the famous fiord, team up in a double sea kayak and join Rosco’s Milford Kayaks for a spectacularly scenic trip. Get closer to the action, whether it’s the seals or paddling under a waterfall, on one of their kayak tours. The most popular choice is the Sunrise Classic tour (learn more on Viator and Tripadvisor), gliding across the inky black water of the fiord at the calmest and most peaceful time of the day.
For more inspiration for your romantic trip to Milford Sound, check out the 5 Most Romantic Activities in Milford Sound for Couples.
Romantic All-Weather Activities
Receiving an annual rainfall of 6,412mm (252″), Milford Sound is one of the wettest places on earth. Chances are, you’ll have no choice but to do a wet-weather activity on your romantic getaway to Milford Sound.
Milford Sound Cruises
Some are surprised to find that taking a cruise of Milford Sound is an excellent thing to do on a rainy day! It’s is not only a relaxing way to soak in the scenery of Sinbad Gully, Mitre Peak, Seal Rock and Stirling Falls, but it’s a fun way to soak in the stream of temporary waterfalls that appear in wet weather! All of the cruises that run throughout the daytime offer the same deal: lasting about two hours to check out the same attractions. Compare your options in the 6 Best Cruises in Milford Sound. We recommend catching a cruise in the morning or late afternoon for the quietest cruises, should you want to set a more romantic tone.
Overnight Milford Sound Cruises
Overnight cruises are also an option, ideal to see Milford Sound in usually ever-changing weather, as well as to do a bit of stargazing. RealNZ (more info on Klook, Viator and Tripadvisor) offers a spectacular overnight cruise and Fiordland Discovery offers multi-day cruises, both with three-course dinners and breakfast included, as well as the use of kayaks and tender excursions to explore the nooks and crannies of Milford Sound. Learn more about them in the 10 Best Accommodations in Milford Sound.
Romantic Dining in Milford Sound
Don’t expect to come to Milford Sound to spend every night of your romantic getaway indulging in a restaurant date night. You’re lucky enough to have at least one more endearing restaurant in the area!
Pio Pio Cafe of the Milford Sound Lodge has seasonal menus showcasing New Zealand and Fiordland cuisine, such as Fiordland venison, New Zealand-farmed salmon and even superfood salads.
As mentioned, the overnight cruises of RealNZ (Viator/Tripadvisor/Klook) and Fiordland Discovery have their own dining experience. The RealNZ cruise with a three-course buffet dinner, while Fiordland Discovery offers three-course fine dining dinners.
Romantic Accommodation in Milford Sound
- Milford Sound Lodge
- Fiordland Discovery
- RealNZ Overnight Cruise
Milford Sound’s accommodation is extremely limited. For more accommodation options, check out the 10 Best Accommodations in Milford Sound or 7 Best Romantic Accommodations in Te Anau.
More About Milford Sound
That’s it for our honeymoon and romantic getaway guide to Milford Sound. For more advice and experiences to include in your romantic escape, check out the following articles:
- 10 Best Milford Sound Tours from Queenstown & Te Anau
- 16 Stops You Can’t Miss on the Road to Milford Sound
- The Luxury Travel Guide to Milford Sound
- The Travel Guide to Milford Sound on a Budget
- The Complete Travel Guide to Milford Sound
Now that you have all you need to plan the best romantic getaway to Milford Sound, find even more tips in The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to New Zealand.
Author
Laura S.
This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.