When to go to Milford Sound (Te Anau)?

Sheer walls drop straight into black water at Milford Sound, rainforest clinging to the rock and waterfalls appearing wherever it has rained, which is often. A cruise gets you close enough for the spray and the fur seals on the ledges. Te Anau, the town at the other end of the road, has its glowworm caves, while the Routeburn and Kepler tracks head off into alpine country.
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The best time to go
For the best weather in Milford Sound (Te Anau), aim for January.
See also: Where to go in January?
Month-by-month weather in Milford Sound (Te Anau)
| Month | ☀️ h/day | 🌧️ mm | 🌡️ °C | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.6 | 110 | 16 | 66 |
| February | 10.4 | 133 | 15 | 62 |
| March | 9.1 | 149 | 13 | 57 |
| April | 7.3 | 170 | 11 | 48 |
| May | 5.1 | 166 | 9 | 41 |
| June | 5.0 | 143 | 6 | 42 |
| July | 4.3 | 140 | 5 | 41 |
| August | 6.7 | 177 | 7 | 45 |
| September | 7.2 | 248 | 8 | 41 |
| October | 8.2 | 175 | 9 | 50 |
| November | 10.0 | 174 | 12 | 56 |
| December | 10.2 | 150 | 14 | 60 |
Estimated from 3 years of data. The score (0–100) combines sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and temperature.
The climate in brief
In Milford Sound (Te Anau), the sunniest month is January, and the driest is January (about 110 mm). Temperatures peak in January (about 16°C). Over the year, an average of 1,935 mm of rain falls, and 1 months in 12 offer ideal weather for a trip.
What to do in Milford Sound (Te Anau)?
- Milford Sound (fjord)
- Milford Sound cruise
- Routeburn and Kepler Tracks (Great Walks)
- Te Anau (lake, glowworm caves)
Practical info
- Country: New Zealand
Destinations near Milford Sound (Te Anau)
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