When to go · Milford Sound
Milford Sound in October
Good month. Outside the best window (Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) / 6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 19
- Crowds
- Medium
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Medium
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
Is another month better than October?
October is rated good. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
- DecemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
- JanuaryGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
- FebruaryGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
Weather in October
- Milford SoundHighs around 15 °C (59 °F), lows around 5.8 °C (42 °F), rain on about 19 daysHighs around 59 °F (15 °C), lows around 42 °F (5.8 °C), rain on about 19 days
- West Coast and Fiordland, New Zealand · Franz Josef, Fox, Milford Sound, Te Anaurainy
Among the wettest places on earth (Milford gets 6–7 m a year): rain makes the waterfalls, but slips close roads; sandflies all summer.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · New Zealand overall
- Medium
- Prices · New Zealand overall
- Medium
New Zealand overall: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Milford Sound, side by side.
Verdict
Oct: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Oct: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Jan: 19.5 °C (67 °F)67 °F (19.5 °C)
Night low
Oct: 5.8 °C (42 °F)42 °F (5.8 °C)
Jan: 10.7 °C (51 °F)51 °F (10.7 °C)
Rain days
Oct: 19
Jan: 18 (better)
Crowds
Oct: Medium
Jan: High
Prices
Oct: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Oct: 0
Jan: 1
October: Outside the best window (Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
January: Inside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
Milford Sound: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast