Opinion: Taking children to Milford Sound - a good idea?

I write this with a hint of irony because it was originally my idea to start a new day tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound. I was sitting in the Eglinton Valley with my two-year-old son in the back seat, watching bus after bus pull up, spend a few minutes, and take off again.

I cringed at the thought of being on one of those buses, having to quickly unstrap him from his car seat, get off, and hustle back on within minutes. Likely being that annoying last person everyone else is waiting on.

So with all that said, is taking your children to Milford Sound a good idea?

Key Takeaways

• Te Anau is the best starting point for families, as the shorter drive means less time in the vehicle for children

  
  

• If you're based in Queenstown, a guided tour from Queenstown can work well for families with children aged 5 and over

  
  

• A small group tour is recommended, as they offer more flexibility with timing and stops than larger coach tours

  
  

• Regular breaks at photo stops and short walks help keep children happy, whether you're self-driving or on a tour

  
  

• Bring extra snacks, as food options in Milford Sound are limited

  
  

• Consider bringing entertainment for the car that doesn't rely on WiFi

Getting to Milford Sound

Milford Sound is 120km from Te Anau and 288km from Queenstown. From Te Anau, the drive takes about 1 hour 45 minutes without stops. Most Milford Sound tours will make multiple stops along the way for photos, nature walks, and toilets.

With stops included, you're looking at about 3–4 hours from Te Anau. From Queenstown, that time extends to about 6 hours.

You can either self-drive or take a tour. Tours are becoming increasingly popular as the Milford Road is a one-way-in, one-way-out road that gets congested in summer. Tour operators know the best times to travel and how to time the gaps.

If you're considering self-driving, it may be worth reading our Milford Road safety article. In winter and early spring (June–September), we wouldn't suggest self-driving to Milford Sound with family. A tour with experienced drivers is the safer option when the road is at its most challenging.

Milford Sound Tours - Depart from Te Anau or Queenstown?

For families with young children, starting from Te Anau is always my recommendation. The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is about half the time compared to Queenstown, meaning your kids spend much less time in the vehicle.

In our experience, children under 5 can find the longer drive from Queenstown challenging, which can make the trip stressful for everyone. If you can, stay a night or two in Te Anau and start your Milford Sound day fresh from there.

Te Anau itself is a great family destination, and there are activities like the Glowworm Caves, the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, and the lakefront walking tracks that make it worth staying for a couple of nights.

If staying in Te Anau isn't possible, the trip from Queenstown can still work well for families with children aged 5 and over, whether self-driving or on a guided tour.

If you do travel from Queenstown, screens and entertainment for the drive between Queenstown and Te Anau are your friend. Then once you're on the Milford Road, the frequent stops and scenery usually keep the kids well-occupied.

The Family Tour Experience

The experience your family has will be quite different depending on whether you choose a small group tour or a large group tour.

From my experience of tours, larger coach tours tend to be more difficult for families with young children. Fitting car seats into bus seats can be a challenge, and the timing of stops can feel rushed.

I'll focus on small group tours, as these are our speciality here at Luxe Tours.

Time & Patience

Small group tours have plenty of time built in for stopping at locations along the Milford Road. There is ample time to get your children in and out of the vehicle without feeling rushed.

Guides on small group tours are more likely to have time to assist you with children. With fewer people to manage, they can help keep kids safe as they get in and out of the vehicle.

As Guest Experience Manager at Luxe, and also a mother, I make sure our guides are ready to assist families throughout the day.

The Vehicle

Most small group tour vehicles have a 3-3-4 or similar seating layout, meaning families can often sit together. This is much easier than the 2-2 split on larger coaches, where parents end up on either side of the aisle.

The vehicles are also generally more spacious and comfortable. For children who may need car seats or boosters, the layout is more practical.

Milford Sound Cruise

Children often enjoy the Milford Sound cruise and are happy to take on the wildlife-spotter role. My son has done a few trips through Milford and is always busy pointing at something.

Guides on the cruise will point out wildlife and anything of interest for kids specifically. The cruise is two hours, which can push a child's limit, but there is always something around every corner of the fiord to hold their attention.

Tip: Many cruises allow you to purchase a packed lunch box for the cruise, and this is a great option to help keep kids occupied and prevent them from getting hangry.

What Excites Kids on a Milford Sound Tour

The best reactions I've seen from children in my family and friend group have come from wildlife encounters.

Early in the day, around halfway along the Milford Road, you'll start seeing kea. These cheeky alpine parrots are only found in the South Island and are very interactive. While you can't touch or feed them, they'll often jump up on the vehicle and pose for photos.

In Milford Sound, the seals are a highlight, and you're almost guaranteed to see them on any day. Dolphins sometimes come into the fiord too, and they're equally exciting for children and adults.

Waterfalls are another highlight. You can get very close to some of them, such as Stirling Falls. Some tours will also visit Marian Falls during the drive to Milford Sound, which is a 10-minute walk from the Hollyford Road. The walk itself is manageable for children aged 4 and older, and younger ones can get a piggyback ride.

What Might Bore Kids on a Tour

Time in any vehicle will have its challenging moments. I haven't met a child who is immune to getting bored after a few hours. From Te Anau, you have a few hours of driving each way.

This is another reason to start from Te Anau if you can. From Queenstown, the drive time is at least four hours each way.

Bring entertainment that doesn't require internet. There is effectively no WiFi coverage between Te Anau and Milford Sound, and even operators who advertise WiFi onboard will only have coverage for a small portion of the road.

I have a rule for myself: whatever entertains my child at home that isn't reliant on WiFi, I take it in the vehicle. The good news is that most tours stop frequently once you're on the Milford Road, which helps break up the time in the vehicle.

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If you have any questions regarding travelling to Milford Sound with children or your family, feel free to personally email me at: katelyn@luxetours.co.nz and I can help!

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How Many Stops is the Right Amount?

I see some tours advertising up to 17 photo, rest, or toilet stops. There are two problems with this.

First, even if you could fit in that many stops, they would be very rushed. After a certain amount, the mountains and forest start to blur together. A large number of stops doesn't necessarily make a tour better.

Second, for families with children, it becomes too much of a drawn-out day. By the time you've finished your cruise in the afternoon, most people are ready to just get back.

The sweet spot, with a two-hour cruise included, is around 8–11 photo stops. This lets you spend quality time at each one, walking to waterfalls, experiencing the native forest, watching wildlife, and getting a well-rounded Fiordland experience.

Hygiene & Feeding

If you're travelling with a baby or toddler, there are a few places along the route where you can feed or change a nappy in privacy.

Knobs Flat

Full bathrooms here, as well as a few quiet seated areas for privacy. About 70 minutes from Te Anau with a few stops before it. Most tours stop here for about 5–10 minutes, but on our tours, guides are aware of the need for extra time if a parent needs to feed.

Marian Falls Track

While there are no toilets or buildings here, some tours stop for the nature walk. At Luxe Tours, we stop here for about 30 minutes. You can choose not to do the walk and use the privacy of the vehicle instead.

Milford Sound

The cruise terminal has good facilities, including separate parent bathrooms and some private spaces. There is also space outside for nappy changes or feeds, but be prepared for sandflies.

Top Tips

• If possible, start your trip from Te Anau. Stay the nights either side of your Milford Sound day there. it's more relaxing, and kids are less tired come bedtime.

  
  

• If starting from Te Anau isn't an option, a guided tour from Queenstown works well for families with children aged 5 and over.

  
  

• If there's an option to purchase a lunch box on your tour, I'd highly recommend it. Otherwise, pack plenty of snacks for an 8–10hour day.

  
  

• Pack a second set of clothes for children. Milford Sound has changeable weather, and in one day you can experience four seasons. Kids have a way of finding puddles.

  
  

• Bring entertainment for the vehicle that doesn't rely on WiFi.

  
  

• Choose a tour that has a manageable number of photo stops. You'll thank me later for that one.

I am a big advocate for bringing children to Milford Sound, and I have found my own to be engaged with the experience, especially when wildlife or waterfalls are present. There are many ways to keep them entertained outside of the vehicle, but the trick is managing the time inside. Local tour guides with experience of travelling with families can make a big difference to the day. Be sure to bring your camera, and you'll create some wonderful family memories during your trip to Milford Sound.

If you have any questions regarding travelling to Milford Sound with children or your family, feel free to personally email me at: katelyn@luxetours.co.nz and I can help!