Where to Stay Near Milford Sound: Best Areas & Accommodation

Milford Sound is one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand, but figuring out where to stay nearby can pose a bit of a challenge.

Because of its remote location within Fiordland National Park, accommodation is extremely limited at Milford Sound itself, and it books out far in advance.

Not to worry, though—if you’re trying to find out where to stay near Milford Sound, I’m here to help. 

I live in the South Island and have been fortunate to visit Milford Sound many times over the years. I’ve stayed in lots of different types of accommodation, ranging from budget-friendly cabins to luxurious hotels, and have some favourite places to share with you. 

For most people, staying in the nearby town of Te Anau makes a lot of sense. But staying in Milford Sound itself is an incredible experience, too, so I’ll go over my thoughts on which option might be best for you.

So let’s get to it. Here’s where to stay in and around Milford Sound!

A heads-up: this blog is reader-supported, and this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a booking through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping me continue to write, take photos, and share my favourite places in New Zealand!

Note: I’m covering accommodation options around Milford Sound here. If you’d prefer to camp, check out my guide to the best campsites near Te Anau & Milford Sound!

Where to stay in Milford Sound

If you’re a nature lover, staying in Milford Sound is a magical experience.

Staying in Milford Sound means you’ll get to enjoy the fiord’s scenery in the evening after the thousands of daily visitors have departed.

You’ll get to wake up in the morning with Fiordland National Park right at your doorstep, and can easily hop on a Milford Sound cruise before the daily rush.

That said, there are some things to consider when staying in Milford Sound.

For starters, there’s only ONE traditional accommodation option in Milford Sound. Yep, just one!

That option is Milford Sound Lodge, which I’ll go over in more detail below.

The only other way to stay overnight at Milford Sound is on an overnight cruise.

Neither of these options are cheap, but if you can fit them within your budget (and find availability for your dates), they’re well worth splashing out on.

Milford Sound Lodge

• Price point: luxury ($$$)

Milford Sound Lodge is the only traditional accommodation option at Milford Sound.

The lodge is a gorgeous luxury property with chalet-style accommodation. 

I’ve been lucky enough to stay here and can truly say it’s a special place, but it does come with a high price tag.

At Milford Sound Lodge, you’ll also find the Rainforest Campervan Park, which offers campsites for campervans only (no tents or caravans are allowed). 

My thoughts on staying at Milford Sound Lodge

I can’t emphasize enough that Milford Sound Lodge and the Rainforest Campervan Park both book out months in advance, so you really need to book ahead if you want to stay here.

Another thing to consider is this property’s remote location. There aren’t any shops out here, so you need to arrive prepared.

There’s a nice restaurant at Milford Sound Lodge, as well as a communal kitchen available to guests. 

If you plan to self-cater, make sure you get all of your groceries beforehand (Te Anau is the last stop for supplies). 

One last thing I really need to mention is that the sandflies can be atrocious at Milford Sound. They tend to go away at night, but if you’re planning to hang out outside during the day, you’ll want to wear insect repellent and cover up with long sleeves and pants.

All of this aside, if Milford Sound Lodge fits within your budget and is available for your travel dates, I don’t think you’ll regret staying here.

It’s an amazing feeling to wake up right near Milford Sound in the morning before the hordes of tour buses arrive.

✨ Check prices & availability for Milford Sound Lodge ➡️

Overnight Milford Sound Cruise

• Price point: luxury ($$$)

Another way to spend the night in Milford Sound is on an overnight cruise, a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience the fiord. 

Fiordland Discovery offers a luxurious overnight cruise with a boutique atmosphere and top-notch service.

Special touches include a top-deck hot tub, kayak excursions, and a delicious dinner and breakfast onboard.

✨ Check prices & availability for the Fiordland Discovery overnight cruise ➡️

Where to stay on the way to Milford Sound

Milford Road (SH94) stretches from Te Anau to Milford Sound, and takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of New Zealand.

Along the drive, you’ll find scenic viewpoints, gorgeous hikes, towering mountain scenery, and a handful of basic DOC campsites.

There’s also one accommodation option along Milford Road, and it’s one I think is well worth considering: Eglinton Valley Camp.

Eglinton Valley Camp

• Price point: Mid-range ($$)

If you’d like to stay somewhat close to Milford Sound but Milford Sound Lodge is either too expensive or all booked out, I have a great option to share with you.

Eglinton Valley Camp is located right off Milford Road, about one hour from Te Anau and one hour from Milford Sound (pretty much halfway between the two).

While there is a campsite here as the name suggests, they also have some great cabins. 

Their fully self-contained cabins have kitchens and bathrooms, and feel cosy and warm inside.

From the property, you can go on nature walks, fly fish the Eglinton River (with a fishing license), or book one of their beautiful “bush baths” to relax in after a day of exploring.

That said, as with staying at Milford Sound itself, this is a remote location within Fiordland National Park. 

You’ll need to arrive prepared with your own food, as there aren’t any shops here. 

Also worth noting is that Eglinton Valley Camp closes during winter, so make sure to check their seasonal opening dates before planning your stay.

Personally, I think this is a real hidden gem of a place to stay near Milford Sound.

✨ Check prices & availability for Eglinton Valley Camp ➡️

Where to stay near Milford Sound (hint: it’s Te Anau)

Since accommodation is so limited at Milford Sound, most visitors stay in Te Anau and take a day trip to Milford Sound from there. This is what I normally do, to be honest!

It takes roughly two hours without stops to drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound, but I’d give yourself extra time to make stops along the way and not feel rushed.

In Te Anau, you’ll find lots of accommodation options, and plenty of cafes and restaurants. 

There are two supermarkets, petrol stations, and other shops in town, too, making it a very convenient base for exploring Milford Sound.

One other thing I like about staying in Te Anau is that there are way fewer sandflies than at Milford Sound. 

Even though there are many places to stay in Te Anau, I do still recommend booking your accommodation well in advance. 

It’s a very popular place, especially in summer, and accommodation does book out during peak season.

Here are my favourite places to stay in Te Anau (I’ve roughly tried to organise them from lowest to highest price) ⤵️

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park

• Price point: budget-friendly to mid-range $-$$

The Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park is a large holiday park located right across from Lake Te Anau, with a range of accommodation options.

For a budget-friendly stay, I can recommend one of their camping cabins. They’re not fancy at all, but I think they’re a solid choice if you don’t mind staying in modest accommodation with somewhat dated, basic furnishings.

I’ve stayed in their A-frame kitchen cabins several times over the years and find them good value for money (but do be aware that you’ll share the communal bathroom facilities with this option).

✨ Check prices & availability for the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park ➡️

Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau

• Price point: mid-range ($$)

Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau is a modern holiday park located just a short walk from town. 

I’ve stayed in one of their camping cabins, and have also stayed several times in their Matai ensuite units, and have always had a nice stay.

One thing I love about this property is that they have a complimentary barrel sauna onsite, and some very nice spa tubs you can book. Such a treat after a day of exploring around Milford Sound!

✨ Check prices & availability for Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau ➡️

Lakefront Lodge Te Anau

• Price point: mid-range ($$)

Lakefront Lodge Te Anau is a cosy motel located right across from Lake Te Anau, and just a short walk from town.

They have clean, comfortable rooms with kitchenettes, and some have spa baths, too.

✨ Check prices & availability for Lakefront Lodge Te Anau ➡️

Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments

• Price point: mid-range to luxury ($$-$$$)

Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments is such a nice place to stay in Te Anau.

This property overlooks Lake Te Anau, and their motel rooms are modern and cosy.

They also have their luxurious adults-only Tanara Deluxe Studios, which would be a fantastic choice if you’re after a special stay.

✨ Check prices & availability for Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments ➡️

Radfords on the Lake

• Price point: luxury ($$$)

If you’re looking for a luxurious place to stay in Te Anau, check out Radfords on the Lake.

This property is immaculate, with landscaped grounds and beautiful apartment-style units, complete with kitchenettes.

✨ Check prices & availability for Radfords on the Lake ➡️

Can you stay in Queenstown to visit Milford Sound?

Yes, you can stay in Queenstown to visit Milford Sound, but I don’t recommend it for most people.

Queenstown is located roughly a 4- to 4.5-hour drive (one way) from Milford Sound, and I think it’s way too far to drive yourself on a day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound.

That said, you could stay in Queenstown and opt for a day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound.

There are many tour options to choose from, including a fly-cruise-fly tour, coach-cruise-fly tour, and coach-cruise-coach tour. 

While I definitely recommend spending some time in Queenstown, I personally think it’s best to use Te Anau as a base for visiting Milford Sound. 

The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is, to me, just as amazing as visiting Milford Sound itself. I think it’s worth spending at least two nights in Te Anau to give yourself time to enjoy the area.

Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay near Milford Sound!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your visit to Milford Sound.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!

Some New Zealand itineraries for you

Planning to visit Milford Sound on a larger New Zealand trip? Here are some of my itineraries to help get you started:

• Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip (2 days)
• 12-day South Island itinerary
• 14-day Auckland to Queenstown road trip
• 4-week New Zealand itinerary