Discover Milford Sound, New Zealand: Is It Really Worth Visiting?
I ventured there, lured by the promise of the 8th wonder of the world, but I must admit, I left feeling a bit let down. Perhaps it was just the wrong time of year. I had initially planned to visit in the autumn or winter, and now I would definitely recommend being more cautious about your timing.
[One] The waterfall’s water flow is currently quite minimal, with many of them having dried up, which certainly detracts from the experience.
[Two] The boat ticket is priced at around 520 yuan, which feels a bit steep. Additionally, the parking fee is 10 dollars per hour, approximately 45 yuan. Typically, you’ll need to park for about 3 hours. There is a free parking lot, but it’s a 30-minute walk away from the cruise ship, which can be quite a trek.
[Three] For parking, you must pay in advance; otherwise, you’ll face a fine. If you exceed the allotted time, there’s an additional penalty. This time, I parked for 3 hours and 5 minutes, and the total cost came to 40 dollars. It’s a bit frustrating, to say the least.
[Four] Throughout the journey, there is no network signal 🛜, not only at the cruise center 🛳, but also in the fjord and out at sea. Even on the road, due to the numerous mountains, there are at least 45 kilometers without any network coverage. This can be quite inconvenient if you rely on your phone for navigation or communication.
[Sun] The entire trip involves:
Boarding the boat and sailing onward. Once you reach the sea, you turn back, stopping to observe the seals for a while. There are only a few rocks in the entire fjord where you can spot these creatures. On the return journey, the boat halts at a larger waterfall before heading back. The scenery along the way is still pleasant, but if you’re expecting a breathtaking, end-of-the-world spectacle, you might be disappointed.
It seems this season isn’t the best, and the overall value for money is not great. Calling it the 8th wonder of the world might be a bit of an overstatement. Choose wisely!
