Geography of Milford Sound
Geography of Milford Sound: location, coordinates, elevation, terrain and the places around it.
Geography of Milford Sound
Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand is 0 mi to the north, Queenstown is 46 mi to the south-east, Lake Wakatipu is 47 mi to the south-east and Queenstown Airport is 49 mi to the south-east.
Map of Milford Sound
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Coordinates: 44°38′29″S 167°53′50.6″E (-44.6414, 167.8974)
Quick facts about Milford Sound
| Type | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Region | Southland |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 44°38′29″S 167°53′50.6″E (-44.6414, 167.8974) |
| Known for | a fiord with sheer cliffs and waterfalls |
| Local time | 9:29 PM (UTC+13:00) |
| Best months | January, February and December |
| Climate | Temperate |
Summary
Milford Sound is a tourist attraction in Southland. Milford Sound is a landmark known for a fiord with sheer cliffs and waterfalls.
Right now it is 53°F (12°C) in Milford Sound with overcast. It feels like 52°F. Today runs from 49°F to 56°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 4.7/10 - marginal.
The best time to visit Milford Sound is January, February and December. The climate is temperate. June, July and August tend to be the least comfortable months. January is the warmest month with average highs near 67°F, while September is the coldest with lows near 41°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 49 mi away. Nearby highlights include Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Lake Wakatipu, Fiordland National Park and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
In plain terms. Today is about average for October. The forecast high of 56°F is in line with the 56°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 3 PM to 6 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Milford Sound today at 9.7/10. Visibility is down to 1,0 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. Gusts to 47 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Climate in Milford Sound month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67° | 54° | 16,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 66° | 53° | 15,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 64° | 51° | 18,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| April | 61° | 49° | 19,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | 57° | 45° | 13,7 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| June | 55° | 43° | 16,0 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 54° | 42° | 14,1 in | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| August | 54° | 41° | 18,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | 53° | 41° | 23,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 56° | 44° | 26,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 61° | 47° | 21,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| December | 64° | 52° | 21,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is a tourist attraction in Southland. Its coordinates are -44.6414, 167.8974. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Milford Sound right now?
It is currently 53°F (12°C) with overcast. Humidity is 98% and wind is 3 mph.
When is the best time to visit Milford Sound?
January, February and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Milford Sound, which has a temperate climate. June, July and August are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Milford Sound in?
Milford Sound observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+13:00). The local time is 9:29 PM.
What is the nearest airport to Milford Sound?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 49 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Milford Sound?
Popular options include Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Lake Wakatipu, Fiordland National Park, Aoraki / Mount Cook and South Island.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (attractions) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 2, 2026 at 9:29 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
