This past winter, aka summer in New Zealand, we took our 3-month-old baby to see one of the most breathtaking places in the world, Milford Sound, located on the South Island of New Zealand.
Traveling to such a remote destination with a baby might sound like quite the challenge, but with the right planning, it was not only effortless but an incredible experience for our whole family.
After completing this trip with our new baby, we’ve learned exactly what works (and what doesn’t), for visiting Milford Sound with a baby or young kids, and I’m here to share our best tips to make your visit smooth, stress-free, and unforgettable!
Visiting Milford Sound with a Baby or Young Kids – Quick Navigation
1. Camp the Night Before (and After)
Milford Sound is a long drive from any major city or town on the South Island.
Queenstown, the closest big city/ hub, is about a four-hour drive away—without stops. Unless you are getting there by plane or doing a helicopter tour, trying to do the entire trip in a single day is way too much, especially with a baby, so we highly recommend camping nearby the night before and even the night after your visit.
For our trip to Milford Sound, our family rented a campervan in Queenstown, which made the journey so much easier with our baby.
With a campervan, we could stop whenever needed along the road for diaper changes, nursing breaks, or simply to take in the stunning scenery throughout New Zealand’s beautiful countryside. Plus, we had all our baby essentials with us, making the trip much more convenient. Instead of rushing to make a boat tour on time, we could take our time and enjoy the drive without stress.
For our overnight stay before seeing Milford Sound, we parked at a beautiful DOC (Department of Conservation) Campsite just 20 minutes from Milford Sound, and it was the perfect place to stay.
First, it was incredibly affordable, we only paid about $30 total for the night, an ideal price, especially compared to the limited and pricier lodging options in the area.
Also, the convenience of staying so close to Milford Sound meant we could wake up at a reasonable hour, enjoy a slow and cozy morning enjoying a beautiful sunrise over the mountains with our baby boy, and arrive at our boat tour nice and early without feeling rushed.
Lastly, spending the night immersed in the remote wilderness of Fiordland National Park added to the overall experience, making our visit feel even more special.
The setting was breathtaking—we were surrounded by lush greenery, a serene river, dramatic cliffs and mountain peaks, and a dark night sky full of stars. Instead of just passing through, we got to really fully soak in the beauty of the Milford Sound area.
Additionally, you can also spend either the night before or after your Milford Sound tour in Te Anau, a cute town about two hours from Milford Sound (about halfway between Milford Sound and Queenstown).
We opted to do this on our return trip and stayed at Tasman Holiday Park. The Holiday park was also a fantastic experience. It was comfortable, well-equipped for families, and even had private hot tub spas available to reserve within the park.
For more details and tips about staying in Tasman Holiday Park and a campervan essentials guide, definitely check out my article: Renting a Campervan in New Zealand with a Baby: Essential Guide.
2. Choosing the Right Boat Tour
Once you arrive at Milford Sound, the best way to explore is by boat. There are several tour operators, and while most offer a similar experience, there are a few key differences.
Every boat has spacious indoor seating with massive windows, meaning you can enjoy the insane views while staying warm and dry with your baby. They all provide a small snack, usually cookies and coffee. However, some premium tours include extras like a full lunch and champagne toast for a more upscale experience.
One unique option is the Southern Discoveries tour, which offers a stop at an Underwater Observatory for viewing the marine life at Milford Sound. Unfortunately, it’s currently under construction, but when it reopens, it could be a fun and unique addition and worth the extra time and cost, depending on your child’s age and interests.
3. Bring a Stroller for the Walk
The parking lot (or car park, as it’s called in New Zealand) is about .75km (about half a mile) from the boat docks.
The walk follows a well-maintained paved path and boardwalk through the surrounding nature, so I recommend bringing a stroller to enjoy a leisurely stroll as part of the experience on your way to the boat.
Also, not only does it make transporting your baby and diaper bag easier, but you can also collapse the stroller before boarding, and the boat crew will store it for you.
Pro Tip: This is my all time favorite travel stroller and IMO, the very best on the market. The one hand fold is a game changer!
You could use a baby carrier instead, but since my husband and I traded off wearing our baby in his carrier for most of the boat tour, having the stroller as an alternative for the walk was a welcome break.
4. Wear Baby on the Boat
Speaking of babywearing, I recommend transferring your baby into a baby carrier once you arrive at the docks and are about to board your boat. We felt safest having our baby strapped to us while walking around on the boat, especially on the outdoor decks.
Wearing our baby also allowed my husband and I to be hands-free during the boat tour, which was helpful for holding onto railings, adjusting jackets, and shielding our baby from mist and rain when necessary.
That said, I also took him out of the carrier at times during the tour, mostly when hanging out indoors or seated, and especially for breastfeeding. The boats are big enough to be quite stable on the water during most of the tour, so we felt perfectly safe and comfortable doing this.
5. Pack Layers
Milford Sound is known for its cold, wet, and windy weather, with an average of 182 rainy days per year. Even on a sunny summer day, you’ll likely get wet when the boat goes under waterfalls.
Make sure to pack:
- A waterproof outer layer (rain jacket or poncho).
- A warm, insulating jacket, especially for baby.
- Base layers to stay warm and dry and allow quick adjustments to temperature.
- A change of clothes for baby, just in case they get wet, as the car park is a bit of a ways away.
6. Milford Sound is Not a Town
One of the most important things to know is that Milford Sound is not a town. It’s a remote fjord with very few facilities beyond the boat tours and hiking trails.
There are no major restaurants, no shopping, and no other big attractions in the immediate area.
The only food or shopping available is either at the cafeteria/gift shop near the docks that has a small lunch menu or the limited snacks on the boats, so be sure to pack food, formula, and any other essentials you will need for baby before heading out.
As mentioned above, there are several campsites nearby, I recommend packing appropriately with everything you’ll need so that you can spend a full day or two at Milford Sound enjoying the peaceful wilderness and remoteness of it all!
