Once in New Zealand, most visitors to Milford Sound go via Queenstown (479 kilometres from Christchurch) which calls itself the Adventure Capital of the World.
Overseas visitors reach Queenstown by car or on tour buses, or by plane from certain points of origin. (Some international passengers would have entered New Zealand through Christchurch, or have driven or taken a bus tour from farther afield.)
In Queenstown, you have the choice of driving a rented car, going on a bus tour, or flying to Milford Sound. Those who have booked to take the Milford Track can do the four-day hike (54 kilometres) from Te Anau through some of the most stunning New Zealand landscapes.
A long drive to the Sound
It takes about five hours to drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound and another five hours returning to Queenstown, so if you're driving or going by bus, you'd need to leave Queenstown very early indeed.
Some prefer to base themselves at Te Anau which cuts the driving time by half. It is also at Te Anau that the Milford Track begins.
There are, of course, flights between Queenstown and Milford Sound, but in an area of changeable weather, there's always the chance a flight will be cancelled.
All forms of travel to the Sound can be arranged at Queenstown or Te Anau, or pre-booked through your travel agent.
Sound attractions
Mitre Peak, rising majestically to 1692 metres, and the 146-metrte Stirling Falls are but two features of the magnificent landscape of Milford Sound.
There is, too, a variety of sealife which can be viewed at close hand from cruise ships or, more intimately, from a kayak.
This would include fur seals, crested penguins and, frolicking in the water, dolphins.
Where to stay
There is not much by way of accommodation at Milford Sound itself, and Te Anau is quite a small country town compared to the go-go atmosphere of Queenstown.
Unless you're roughing it, or really much rather prefer the quiet of the fiords, you might want to base yourself in Queenstown where a wide variety of accommodation choices exist.
But try to be sure to book ahead as accommodation may be scarce at certain periods.
