Fiordland, South Island

People enjoying the view in the underwater observatory

People enjoying the view in the underwater observatory

Learning about the history of Milford Sound at the Underwater Observatory

Learning about the history of Milford Sound at the Underwater Observatory

Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Milford Sound Underwater Observatory is located in Harrison Cove

Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Meeting the locals at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Meet the locals at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Spirit of Milford dropping passengers at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Spirit of Milford dropping passengers at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

The Milford Sound Underwater Observatory is the perfect addition to your Milford Sound cruise. Learn about the environment of Milford Sound with striking displays and original memorabilia. Descend 10 metres underwater into a spacious viewing chamber and be spellbound by the panorama unveiled; encounter the extraordinary rare black coral and colourful sea creatures teeming just below the surface. The Milford Sound Underwater Observatory certainly has the wow factor, whatever your age – an exciting experience not to be missed!

Why visit the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory?

- New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory is a unique, interactive learning experience

- Be guided through the Milford Sound story on colourful information panels covering culture, heritage, history, geology and wildlife

- Watch dramatic Milford Road and Homer Tunnel avalanche videos

- Immerse yourself in a mysterious undersea world and encounter the extraordinary rare black coral and colourful sea creatures teeming just below the surface

- Thanks to its unique underwater environment, Milford Sound is home to species of black coral usually found at depths of more than 500 metres


Milford Sound

About Fiordland

Fiordland National Park is a designated World Heritage Area…
Located on the South West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, Fiordland stretches over 124 miles (200 kilometres), from Milford Sound in the north to Preservation Inlet in the south. Covering 1.25 million hectares, Fiordland is the largest National Park in New Zealand and is administered and managed by the Department of Conservation.

It is also one of the wettest places in the world but it is the rain that contributes to the area's beauty.  Waterfalls tumble down steep mountains to the sea and rain nourishes rich beech forest.

Fiordland's extraordinary serrated coastline and deep branching lakes were carved out by glaciers millions of years ago. The glaciers left behind a land internationally acclaimed for its spectacular scenery, isolation and uninhabited environment which became a designated World Heritage Area in 1986.

Described as the eighth wonder of the world, Milford Sound remains the only Fiord in this region that can be accessed by road and it is 16km from the head of the Fiord to the open sea.

 

North Island

South Island

Map of New Zealand
  • Central Otago
  • Auckland
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin
  • Coromandel
  • Gisborne
  • Fiordland
  • Hawkes Bay
  • Marlborough Sounds
  • Manawatu
  • Nelson & Golden Bay
  • Northland
  • North Canterbury
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • South Canterbury
  • Taranaki
  • Southland
  • Taupo
  • Wanaka
  • Waikato
  • Wellington
  • West Coast
  • Whangarei
  • Bay of Islands
  • Tauranga
  • Gisborne
  • Hamilton
  • Napier
  • Kapiti
  • Palmerston North
  • Whanganui
  • New Plymouth
  • Arrowtown
  • Te Anau
  • Akaroa
  • Ashburton
  • Hanmer
  • Kaikoura
  • Methven
  • Mt Cook
  • Oamaru
  • Tekapo
  • Timaru
  • Abel Tasman
  • Motueka
  • Nelson Lakes
  • Blenheim
  • Picton
  • Catlins
  • Gore
  • Stewart Island
  • Central Plateau
  • Invercargill
  • Cromwell
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Westport
  • Glenorchy

Our favourite destinations…

Auckland

New Zealand’s economic heart and biggest city is also an exciting family visitor destination, situated on a sunny harbour with city beaches just minutes away from the CBD. Orientate yourself by heading down to Viaduct Harbour, wandering the waterfront, checking out the super yachts or enjoying the waterfront restaurants. Nearby is the must-visit Sky Tower along with excellent and kid-friendly museums and tons of exciting activities!

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Here you will find New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the 'Executive Wing', more well-known as 'The Beehive' due to its distinctive shape. Another icon to look out for is the Wellington Tram, which was the main means of public transport between 1878 and 1964.

Christchurch

With a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is the South Island ’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s hard to beat.

Queenstown

With its well-deserved reputation as New Zealand’s activity adventure capital you’ll never run out of activities and things to do in Queenstown, but you may run out of time! With breathtaking scenery, activities and festivals, cafes and restaurants, skiing and snowboarding, shopping and wineries, this lakeside alpine resort rates as one of the world’s top vacation destinations for all ages and seasons.

Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shore of Lake Rotorua, one of sixteen lakes in the area formed by hundreds of thousands of years of eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area is renowned for its geothermal activity and top of any activity list is to see the bubbling mud pools that are around the region for yourself. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers a first hand insight into the devastation caused by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is a great place to discover steaming volcanic craters and bubbling, spitting  pools of mud!

Nelson and Golden Bay

The Nelson and Golden Bay regions, at the top of the South Island, boast enviable sunshine hours, glorious sandy beaches, safe swimming spots, lots of wildlife to look out for, and Abel Tasman National Park - an absolute must to explore, on foot, by kayak, your own craft or watertaxi.  Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community with a fabulous Saturday market, and is close to award-winning wineries and family-friendly bike tracks to take you around the coast.

Hawkes Bay

Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is now known as NZ's Art Deco City.  The Art Deco influence has created a unique city – nowhere else can you see such a varied concentration of art deco style. With over 2,200 sunshine hours a year, Napier is a year-round holiday destination with countless activities to entertain the kids – there's days of entertainment on Marine Parade alone, plus numerous other family-friendly trips and activities.  Add to that the beaches, walks and flat cycle paths, outdoor cafes and entertainment, and you have a perfect holiday destination!

Northland

Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, it's often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Gateway to the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a pretty, lively beachside town and a perfect base for your family holiday. It’s your start point for Bay of Island adventures including day cruises, sailing, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and reef or wreck diving.