Milford Sound Facts

Mitre Peak Lodge - This was the original accommodation of Donald Sutherland who arrived in the area in 1877. The Government bought the property in 1922 and built a hotel 6 years later. After a large fire in 1952 the hotel was closed and reopened again in 1954 after extensive rebuilding. The lodge is now used solely as part of the Milford Track Guided Walk.

Freshwater Basin - Boats depart from The Milford Wharf Visitor Centre, which is situated in the Freshwater Basin. This small harbor contains more fresh water than salt water so the harbor was named accordingly. The water’s brown colouring is the result of tannin washed down from the trees surrounding the Fiord.

Bowen Falls - The higher of the two permanent waterfalls in Milford Sound, Bowen Falls drops 161 metres from a hanging valley in the Darren Range. They are more correctly known as the ‘Lady Bowen Falls’, named after the wife of one of New Zealand's early governors.

Cemetery Point - So named because the mounds formed by debris from the Bowen Falls, resemble graves. There are in fact three actual graves here that date back to the very early days of the whalers and sealers.

Sinbad Gully - An excellent example of a hanging valley, Sinbad Gully is enclosed by the steep slopes of Mt Phillips rising 1,445 metres on its left, Mitre Peak on its right and the Llawrenny Peaks in the background.

Mitre Peak - At a height of 1,682 metres, Mitre Peak is one of the highest mountains in the world to rise directly from the ocean floor. It got its name because its shape resembles that of a Bishop's mitre, or headdress.

Lion Mountain - Situated across to the right rising to a height of 1,301 metres. The mountain's correct name is Mt Kimberly, but because its shape so strongly resembles that of a crouching lion, this more descriptive name has been retained.

The Elephant - This mountain is in the shape of an elephant's head. The ‘trunk’ forming part of the hanging valley, runs up the ridge to a summit of 1,507 metres and to the top of the ‘elephant's head’.

Copper Point - So named because of the very high deposits of copper situated throughout this point. It is one of the narrowest sections of the fiord and wind gusts have been recorded here in excess of 75 knots.

Fairy Falls - One of the prettiest corners of Milford Sound. Despite the large amount of water that cascades from these falls, it is only a temporary waterfall and will dry up after a few days without rain.

Anita Bay - Many years ago the Maori People frequently visited Anita Bay for its tangiwai. Tangiwai, more commonly known as greenstone, is a precious stone that was carved for both weapons and ornamental wear.

St Anne's Point - 27 metres above sea level stands the automatic lighthouse for Milford Sound which is visible from sea for 14 kilometres.

Dale Point - Denotes the entrance to Milford Sound which is approximately 548 metres wide and 79 metres deep, compared to the rest of the fiord which has depths up to 300 metres.

Seal Rock - Is one of the few areas in the fiord where the Southern Fur Seal is able to climb up out of the water onto the rocks. These seals inhabit the fiord all year round.

Stirling Falls - Dropping 155 metres Stirling Falls is one of the two permanent waterfalls in the fiord, which is most spectacular after very heavy rain. They were originally named after a seaman by the name of Captain Stirling.

Harrison Cove - The only natural anchorage in the fiord used during the early 1800s by whalers and sealers. The Milford Deep Underwater Observatory is located here.

Mount Pembroke - Is one of the highest mountains in the fiord at 2014 metres and is permanently snow-capped. The glacier on Mount Pembroke is the remnant of a glacier which carved its way through the Fiord, and measures up to a depth of some 27 metres. Several streams from the melting snow run down this mountain forming the Harrison River.

Sheerdown Range - With a height of 1877 metres this range forms the southern wall of the Arthur Valley. The Arthur River flows down through this valley draining Lake Ada which was formed when a massive landslide blocked the Arthur River.

Deepwater Basin - This glacial carved hole was flooded at the end of the ice ages and has water depths of up to 50 metres. Deepwater Basin is home to a number of commercial fishing vessels which operate out of Milford Sound. These vessels fish the exposed southern coastline beyond the entrance to Milford Sound. Their normal catch is lobster.

Sandfly Point - This spot marks the termination of the Milford Track, a 54 kilometre (33.5 mile) 3-day walk from Te Anau over the Mackinnon Pass to Milford Sound.