Milford Sound Accommodation or Te Anau Accommodation?
Updated: Sep 16
When planning a trip to Milford Sound, a common question is where to stay. Milford Sound itself has only one public accommodation option, the Milford Sound Lodge. Most visitors instead base themselves in Te Anau, 120km away.
In this article, we cover Milford Sound Lodge, accommodation options along the Milford Road, and the wide range of options available in Te Anau.
Key Takeaways
Milford Sound Lodge is the only public accommodation option in Milford Sound itself.
The Milford Road has one accommodation option at Knobs Flat, plus several DOC campsites for tents and campervans.
Te Anau is 120km from Milford Sound and offers the widest range of accommodation, from luxury lodges and hotels to holiday parks and backpackers.
Airbnb has over 120 property options in Te Anau at any given time.
Booking well in advance is important during the summer visitor season, as accommodations can fill up quickly.
Milford Sound Trip Planning
Milford Sound is one of the most popular visitor destinations in New Zealand, and both the cruise and the drive along the Milford Road are highlights of any trip to the area.
Because Milford Sound itself has only one accommodation option, most visitors base themselves in Te Anau, 120km away. Te Anau has a wide range of hotels, motels, holiday parks, and Airbnb options.
Touring from Te Anau has grown significantly over the last decade, and bookings fill up quickly during the peak summer visitor season (October to April). Booking your accommodation well in advance is important to secure your preferred option.
Touring from Queenstown is also an option, and Queenstown has a range of accommodation options. That said, we generally recommend basing yourself in Te Anau if possible. It makes for a less tiring day overall and gives you more time to enjoy the Milford Road stops along the way.
Milford Sound Lodge
Milford Sound Lodge is located in the small Milford settlement, about a 10-minute walk from the main cruise terminal. It offers private chalets with views of the surrounding mountains and native bush, as well as campsites for motorhomes, but it does not accommodate tents.
The lodge is very busy and typically books out well in advance for the summer visitor season, so booking early is essential.
The on-site restaurant focuses on high-quality local cuisine, including wild venison, salmon, and seafood, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options available.
Chalet stays range from around $655 to $1,500 per night for two adults, depending on the chalet type and season, with breakfast included. Powered campervan sites are $120 to $150 per night.
Milford Road Accommodation Options
There's really only one accommodation option along the Milford Road, called Eglinton Valley Camp. It's located at Knobs Flat, about halfway between Te Anau and Milford Sound. Eglinton Valley Camp has a range of cabins, with some sleeping up to three people. There are also unpowered tent and motorhome sites available.
Availability fills up quickly in the peak summer visitor season, so it pays to book several months ahead.
There's no restaurant on site, but there's a vending machine, some basic grocery items available from the office, and shared kitchen facilities for campsite guests.
Because of the limited food options, this is best suited to a more self-contained stay where you bring your own supplies. Prices vary by season and demand, but unpowered sites are around $35 per night, while cabins are around $245-$280 per night.
Milford Road Camping
Several DOC campsites along the Milford Road are suitable for tents and campervans. These campsites have long-drop toilets and basic cooking shelters, so you need to bring all of your own supplies. Most sites have rainwater collection or streams, but you must boil any water before drinking it, or bring your own drinking water. The most popular Milford Road campsite is Cascade Creek, which sits alongside the Eglinton River and is a large, expansive area often used by longer campervans. It's also the only campsite with dedicated BBQ facilities.
Where fires are allowed at campsites, they must be in a designated pit or fireplace.
Campsite | Distance from Te Anau | Booking | Sites / Size | Water | Cooking |
Henry Creek | 25km | Online | 40 / Medium | Yes | No Fires |
Walker Creek | 49km | Online | 5 / Small | Yes | No Fires |
Totara | 53km | Online | 20 / Medium | Yes | Fires Allowed |
Mackay Creek | 53km | Online | 15 / Small | Yes | Fires Allowed |
Deer Flat | 62km | Online | 15 / Small | Yes | No Fires |
Kiosk Creek | 65km | Online | 10 / Small | No | Fires Allowed |
Upper Eglinton | 71km | Online | 3 / Small | Yes | Fires Allowed |
Cascade Creek | 76km | Online | 120 / Large | Yes | BBQ & Fires Allowed |
Bookings can be made through the Department of Conservation website: DOC Booking Website
Te Anau Lodge and Hotel Options
Te Anau is likely the easiest option for your accommodation, with options to suit most budgets and preferences. Options range from luxury lodges and hotels, through to comfortable motels, backpackers, and holiday parks.
For a touch of luxury, consider staying at the Cabot Lodge, Fiordland Lodge, or Fiordland Eco Retreat, all of which offer stunning views of Lake Te Anau and the surrounding mountains.
Some great standard hotel options include:
Any of the above are worth considering, and can be booked through the property's website or your usual accommodation booking site.
Fiordland Eco Retreat
Budget-Friendly Options in Te Anau
Te Anau also has several holiday parks and backpackers for more budget-friendly stays:
Tasman Holiday Park Te Anau
Te Anau Airbnb Options
Airbnb has over 120 property options in Te Anau at any given time, offering a range of house sizes and styles.
Most options are homes with at least three bedrooms, full kitchens, multiple bathrooms, and garden space. There are also some homes right on the lakefront, or up in the hills behind Te Anau with beautiful views.
For families and groups, Airbnb often works out cheaper per person than a hotel or motel, particularly for larger properties.
Whatever your budget or preferences, there are accommodation options in Te Anau, along the Milford Road, and in Milford Sound itself. Te Anau is our top recommendation for most visitors, thanks to its wide range of places to stay, restaurants, and things to do while you're there.
Whichever option you choose, book well in advance during the peak summer visitor season to make sure you get your first pick.
