Affectionately nicknamed the unofficial “eighth Wonder of the World,” nearly every ultimate New Zealand itinerary includes Milford Sound.
I chose to see it on a coach-and-boat tour from Queenstown. It spanned over 13 hours, with most of that time spent sitting on the bus or scrambling at rest stops to buy coffee, use the bathroom, and take photos alongside other travelers.
After arriving at Milford Sound, my group of a few dozen people joined many others on a ship. At times, it felt so crowded that I struggled to find a seat, snap photos, or even carve out personal space.
The scenery on the two-hour cruise through the dramatic fjord was undeniably beautiful with lush greenery, glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls. However, my experience was dampened by the logistics of getting there and the sheer volume of tourists.
If I return to the Milford Sound, I’d either drive myself so I could have more space and add one of the area’s stunning hikes to my itinerary or splurge on a more intimate group tour — perhaps one aboard a 12-seat aircraft.
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