Trip Planner: South Pacific / New Zealand / South Island / Southland Region / Milford Sound / Bowen Falls

Bowen Falls, Milford Sound

4.7

#11 of 23 in Nature in Southland Region

Waterfall · Hidden Gem · Water Body

Create an itinerary including Bowen Falls

Plunging from the hanging valley, Bowen Falls remains the highest waterfall in the world-famous Milford Sound. These powerful falls serve as the water and electricity source for the nearest settlement. Until recently, a scenic flight or boat cruises were the only options available for experiencing the scenic falls. Thanks to the reopening of the return trail that leads from a small pontoon across the wharf to the viewing area, you can now get a bird's-eye view over the 161 m (528 ft) waterfall. With our online itinerary creator, Milford Sound attractions like Bowen Falls can be center stage of your vacation plans, and you can find out about other attractions like it, unlike it, near it, and miles away.

Improve this listing »

Create a full itinerary - for free!

Tours to Bowen Falls

FROM $81 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Cruise Including Underwater Observatory and Lunch Milford Sound Cruise Including Underwater Observatory and Lunch

4.8

Duration: 3 hours

Tours from $81 ›

FROM $68 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Nature Cruise Milford Sound Nature Cruise

4.7

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Tours from $68 ›

FROM $68 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise Including optional lunch Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise Including optional lunch

4.5

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Tours from $68 ›

FROM $156 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise with Buffet Lunch from Queenstown Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise with Buffet Lunch from Queenstown

4.8

Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes

Tours from $156 ›

FROM $143 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Kayak Tour Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Kayak Tour

4.8

Duration: 2 hours

Tours from $143 ›

FROM $355 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Nature Cruise Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Nature Cruise

4.9

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Tours from $355 ›

FROM $281 BOOK WITH VIATOR Scenic Flight Transfer to Queenstown from Milford Sound Scenic Flight Transfer to Queenstown from Milford Sound

4.9

Duration: 35 minutes

Tours from $281 ›

FROM $131 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise from Te Anau with Buffet Lunch Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise from Te Anau with Buffet Lunch

4.9

Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes

Tours from $131 ›

FROM $295 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mitre Peak Helicopter Scenic Flight from Milford Sound Mitre Peak Helicopter Scenic Flight from Milford Sound

5.0

Duration: 15 to 25 minutes

Tours from $295 ›

Bowen Falls reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

38 reviews

Google

4.6

By jennieles

We got a close up view of these falls while on our Milford Sound cruise - flying into Milford with Milford Sound Scenic Flights. Our captain on Mitre Peak cruises was able to get in close to many of..... more

We got a close up view of these falls while on our Milford Sound cruise - flying into Milford with Milford Sound Scenic Flights. Our captain on Mitre Peak cruises was able to get in close to many of..... more »
By MurrayB237

at least we got to see a water fall as there had not been any rain for about 8 days. and there was only one other fall was working well

at least we got to see a water fall as there had not been any rain for about 8 days. and there was only one other fall was working well more »
By Found_Lost_Key

This is Milfords tallest waterfall at 162 mtrs. You can get a good view on foot by walking out at low tide, but not as good of a view if you take a boat trip.

This is Milfords tallest waterfall at 162 mtrs. You can get a good view on foot by walking out at low tide, but not as good of a view if you take a boat trip. more »

See more on TripAdvisor ›

Google

By Ravi Lal

Beautiful Waterfall. You can see it from the ferry jetty but for a good look, try the boat cruise. We went after a heavy rainfall and the volume of water was awesome. My friends has climbed Bowen falls and took pictures from the top of the falls. I would love to do it some day.

more less
By Nikki Vasiliadis

Absolutely stunning waterfall in Milford Sound. Best place to view it is from one of the boat cruises for sure. Not sure if it’s accessible via a hike. There are so many waterfalls in Milford I lost count but this was one of the larger ones in terms of volume.

more less
By Jim Earlam

If you take one of the many trips around the sound you will get to see these falls close up. Impressive, maybe not so impressive if you have just walked the Milford track and seen those waterfalls but nonetheless worth seeing.

more less
By Mark Pitts

An amazing waterfall and probably one of the largest ones that you will see in Milford Sounds. It is easy to see as you leave the port or return on your boat cruise of the Sounds. The boats can’t get as close to this waterfall as they do to others in the Sounds, but they will get close enough that you can get some great photos!

more less
By J

Enjoy a 1 minute ferry ride from Milford Sound boat tours to Bowen Falls. It was our private waterfall with 20 minutes to ourselves under the falls. Tour guide Andrew was amazing. Thank you for an unforgettable experience. So stunning!

more less