Milford Sound vs. Doubtful Sound: Which is Better?
Having lived and worked and generally existed in New Zealand for a year and a half, of which a year has been in the South Island, I have inevitably ticked off a lot of tourist boxes.
Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are two of them.
Milford Sound on a sunny day in October 2024. Taken on iPhone 13 Pro.
If you’re thinking of going on one of the cruises, but can’t decide which of the two to pick, look no further. I will humbly opine on which cruise I preferred and conveniently break down the pros and cons of each cruise for your benefit.
No matter which of the two cruises you ultimately decide to go on, both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are imbued with a beatific resplendence and incomprehensible vastness.
You’ll leave with a surreal feeling of wonderment, having beheld a vista so magnificent and powerful.
Consequently, it is a privilege I do not take lightly that I have been able to visit both sounds.
And, certainly, neither cruise will leave you disappointed.
COST
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COST 〰️
Notably, Milford Sound is the cheaper option of the two cruises. At $159 per person for a 3-hour trip through Milford Sound, it is a great, affordable option for those opting for a shorter day trip.
On the other hand, the Doubtful Sound day cruise is more than double the price at $349 per person and therefore quite a bit more expensive than its more notorious counterpart, Milford Sound.
However, Doubtful Sound boasts a 7-hour total cruise time and transport to the sound from the Manapouri Harbour.
Cruising along Lake Manapouri, travelling via bus through Wilmot Pass, and stopping off at a few waterfalls for photographs, the Doubtful Sound experience is a complete package that justifies the cost.
So, while it might feel a bit painful to stretch the pennies that bit further for the sake of the Doubtful Sound cruise, it does include a lot more.
Nevertheless, with both cruises, you are paying for the quality, experience, and knowledge of the staff on board. But with Doubtful Sound, you are getting seven hours of adventure to Milford Sound’s three, plus two boats and a bus within that $349.
That’s a lot of bang for your buck.
And, with all that additional cruising time, you’ve got an extended opportunity to get the perfect picture for your Instagram to boast to all your friends back home about your epic time in New Zealand!
TRANSPORT
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TRANSPORT 〰️
Transporting yourself to either sound can prove to be a problem if you are reliant on alternative modes of transport, like a bus, third-party organiser, or travel company.
It is worthwhile researching the cost of adding a bus transfer from the likes of Queenstown or Wanaka to the overall cost of your trip before deciding which Sound to visit, as this may increase the cost beyond your budget.
However, if you have your own vehicle or rental vehicle, you are at liberty to transport yourself to either without fuss.
In this instance, though, it remains important to consider the cost of gas in your decision-making if you aim to be budget-friendly.
Doubtful Sound is a shorter drive, and, depending on which route you take, follows the Southern Scenic route, boasting epic views of mountains and valleys along the way. Milford Sound, while a longer drive, is notorious for being one of the most beautiful drives New Zealand has to offer: you weave your way between mountains, see keas galore, pretty rivers run alongside you, and you dip and curve through winding valleys.
Kea came to say hello while we were having a pit stop on the way to Milford Sound.
Are you travelling there and back?
If you are including one of the cruises as part of an established road trip, this information isn’t as relevant. But, if you are looking to go there and back in a day, it might be worth considering the cost of gas and the length of the trip. Milford Sound may not be as good an option for a shorter trip once the mileage has been accounted for. While Milford Sound is the shorter cruise of the two, and therefore often regarded as the better option for people trying to pack a lot of action into their New Zealand / South Island trip, the drive in and out of Milford Sound means that the total time spent at each cruise is not all that dissimilar.
For instance, I lived in Wanaka when I went on my Milford Sound cruise, meaning that the total travel time to and from Milford Sound was approximately 10 cumulative hours of driving. Whereas if I had hypothetically traveled from Wanaka for Doubtful Sound, it would have taken 6 hours, reducing the drive time and allowing more cruise time.
Worth considering, hey?
But, if you have all the time in the world and part of the excitement for you is the journey, not the destination, the drive to Milford Sound is incontestably the more beautiful of the two. Plus, driving yourself means you can stop at lovely viewpoints and take your time with it.
WHERE TO STAY
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WHERE TO STAY 〰️
Unfortunately, most campgrounds along the Milford Sound road are for self-contained vehicles only, and therefore are inaccessible to those of us hoping to stay the night to cut the driving time.
The closest available option is Te Anau, from which you go north for Milford Sound or south-east for Manapouri. Its position between Milford and Doubtful Sound means that the available accommodation options tend to book out relatively quickly. Be prepared and book well in advance.
For Doubtful Sound, I stayed at Possum Lodge campground. It was during a time of year when camping was still a relatively sane choice, though inadvisable for those less equipped travellers during the autumn/winter. It was about $55 a night for the site, had great facilities, and was only a short 8-minute walk to the Manapouri Harbour. There’s also the local pub, The Church, within walking distance of the campground, which had plenty of character and charm aplenty. I didn’t need to book too far in advance for the campground, managing to extend my stay for an extra night at the last minute. I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking to stay the night in Manapouri before/after your cruise.
TO CONCLUDE
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TO CONCLUDE 〰️
Milford Sound is beautiful and worth doing for those of you who have the time, solely due to its notoriety. It’s become one of those “must-do” things for people travelling or visiting New Zealand, and rightly so.
However, personally, Doubtful Sound is the obvious winner. Doubtful Sound offers more. It is easier to access, doesn’t book out nearly as quickly, you get a longer cruise, you are closer to the harbour, the drive is shorter, and you are within walking distance of amenities such as The Church, Waiau St. Cafe, etc. As I’ve said, both cruises are beautiful and will leave you awe-struck.
“Hidden gem of the Fiordland.” —Real NZ
It has often been said that Queenstown used to be amazing but has since been overrun by tourists.
I think Doubtful Sound is currently in its before-the-tourists phase.
Phenomenal.
Quieter.
Longer.
Lesser known.
It’s ironic, I know, to complain about tourists whilst a tourist myself.
But I just mean to say it is beautiful without being overcrowded.
So, that’s it, everyone, Doubtful Sound takes the cake, for me at least.
Feel at liberty to entirely disregard everything I’ve said if your heart is set on Milford Sound.
After all, this is just one girl’s experience.
DISCLAIMER: I did not pay for my Milford Sound cruise. As part of my employment with RealNZ, one of the staff bonuses is a free Milford Sound Day Cruise. Perks of the job, hey?
FUN FACT: Milford Sound is named after Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, Wales (where I’m from)! The Cleddau River, which you drive by en route to Milford Sound, is also a Welsh name. The names are owing to the first visitor to the area, a Welshman named John Grono, in 1823. The Scottish names were later added by the first permanent resident, Donald Sutherland, who built a hut in the sound in 1877 and resided there for approximately 40 years.
