Milford Sound Piopiotahi
Milford Sound, known natively as Piopiotahi, is a fjord located in the Southland District of New Zealand. It is one of the most looked-up sights in New Zealand. This natural site offers visitors a landscape shaped by glacial activity.
Planning a visit
Milford Sound receives significant rainfall throughout the year, with wet days occurring in all months. The wettest months are typically December and January, while July and August have fewer rainy days but colder temperatures. Highs in the warmer months of January and February reach 16 °C, while winter months like June and July see highs of 7 °C. Regardless of when you travel, rain gear is practical due to the consistent precipitation across the year.
The nearest airport is Queenstown Airport, located 83 km away. The site is 673 km from the capital, Wellington. Given its location in the Southland District, visitors often combine a trip here with travel through other parts of the South Island.
Weather by month
The warmest month is February, with an average high of 16 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Average low, °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Rainfall, mm | 635 | 398 | 520 | 479 | 529 | 444 | 386 | 408 | 504 | 570 | 478 | 634 |
| Rainy days | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 19 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
