The Milford Sound swing is a bit of an Instagram sensation and it’s easy to see why. It’s in a gorgeous location with a view straight to the glorious Mitre Peak and makes for a great photo op. The rustic swing is completely free to use and it would be hard to find one with a better view!
Although the swing is easy to get to, it’s not obvious unless you know where to look and we were asked lots of questions about where exactly to find it.
We’re sharing step by step directions so you don’t spend ages looking for it like we did!
If you’re looking for other amazing things to do in the area, we have you covered in our detailed guide to Milford Sound.
Exactly how to find the Milford Sound Swing
The key to finding the Milford Swing is to find two lone trees that are separated from the bush off the Milford Foreshore Walk. If you look from the public parking area at Milford Sound, you’ll see the trees (but probably not the swing). You can see the spot you’re looking for below.
You can also find the coordinates by clicking on this link. The walk to get to the swing is 280m long and it’s located along the Milford Foreshore Walk - which starts on the opposite side of the road to the Mitre Peak Lodge/Visitor Centre (ignore the Google Maps location as it’s wrong).
It’s a completely flat, easy trail and it will only take around five minutes to reach the swing from the trailhead.
You’ll see the Milford Foreshore Walk trailhead and follow the path right, over a picturesque stretch of boardwalk. Walk for a few seconds past the end of the boardwalk and you’ll see a little gap where you can step off the boardwalk onto the beach.
It’s a worn trail which takes you straight onto the rocky beach, where you then hug the bushes on the left and follow them for a couple of minutes until you see the swing.
It’s easiest at low tide but can also be done at high tide - just be mindful that the water can rush in at Milford Sound, so if you’re not careful you can end up with wet feet!
If you know that though, you’ll notice it happening and it won’t cause any problems.
The best time to visit the Milford Sound swing
We ended up visiting the beach at sunrise, sunset and during the day. The best time in our opinion is around one hour before sunset when it’s very golden.
The foreshore generally, and the swing, look even more photogenic at this time. At sunset itself it can get quite shadowy and you lose the light quickly.
Sunrise is also nice, as the tops of the mountains are lit and sometimes turn pink, but as sunrise is actually happening in the opposite direction, the foreground and the rest of the mountains are in shadow which isn’t as nice for photos - unless you end up with a sky so colourful that it makes it way round the whole sky.
Visiting during the day is also ok, but the light is not as nice as golden hour.
Having said all of that, Milford Sound is notorious for bad weather so you might end up just needing to choose your best weather window. If you’re lucky enough to be able to choose then go for sunset!
The story behind the Milford Sound swing
We got chatting to some locals and asked them who put the swing there. It turns out a guy who had been working in Milford Sound made the swing for his girlfriend when they were living in the area.
It is a rustic swing which I think adds to the charm, and he certainly picked an amazing spot for it! Unfortunately they have since broken up, but we thought it was a sweet story anyway!
Getting to the trailhead for the swing
There is paid parking very close to the trail but at time of writing it is a whopping $20 for five hours. You can park in the Deepwater Basin Car Park for free, if you don’t mind the extra 15 minute walk (which is all along a pretty forested path that is away from the road).
If you’ve arrived by public transport and been dropped off at the Milford Cruise Terminal, then it’s a 850m walk there (again it’s away from the road on a proper walking trail).
Where to stay after you’ve finished the Milford Track
The Milford Sound Lodge
When we had booked up the Milford Track, we made sure to add the ultimate treat for after the walk: the Milford Sound Lodge.
Having hiked all the way to Milford Sound, we wanted to stay a night to rest up in this beautiful lodge and eat at their superb restaurant.
After 4 days eating trail food and 4 nights in DOC huts, this was complete bliss. The cabins here are set on the Cleddau River - a gorgeous blue river fringed by mountains.
The only noise here is the rushing of the river and call of keas - something we saw from our bedroom window!
We stayed in one of the chalets and though it was a big splurge it was a wonderful experience. The rooms are really comfy and cosy and the views even from the cheapest chalets are fantastic.
You can check the latest prices and availability using the buttons below:
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Everything you need to know to hike the Milford Track: how to book the hike, difficulty, what to expect, what the huts are like and a comprehensive guide to the finest walk in the world.