Wildlife To Look Out For In Milford Sound

Milford Sound, Te Anau, New Zealand
Milford Sound, Te Anau, New Zealand. Photo by Thomas Hetzler on Unsplash

Famous for its immense mountains that rise vertically from the fiord, Milford Sound is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. With its remote setting and varied habitats, it is also home to some incredible animals.

Keas

Keas are alpine parrots found in mountainous regions of the South Island of New Zealand. They are famous for their cheeky personalities, and they can be found interacting with tourists on the Milford Sound Highway which leads to the fiord. They are also known to attack the rubber on cars so bear this in mind if you stop to see one!

Fiordland Crested Penguins

Fiordland Crested Penguins are found only in Fiordland and as an endangered species, they are one of the rarest penguins in the world. Best seen from a Milford Sound cruise, they are identifiable through their orange beak and bright blonde feathers on the side of their head.

Fur Seals

Fur seals are a regular at Milford Sound as they reside there all year round. They are also best seen from a cruise, as the boat takes you past Seal Rock, where fur seals like to bask in the sun. Having been endangered in the 19th century, they are thankfully now making a recovery.