Sutherland Falls

Sutherland Falls is a large waterfall in Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, dropping approximately 580 metres in several tiers from Lake Quill. It is one of the country’s most prominent waterfalls and a major natural attraction in the Milford Sound area.

The waterfall is most commonly experienced by hikers on the Milford Track and by boat or scenic flights into Milford Sound; viewpoints at the base of the falls are reached by established walking routes. The falls’ multiple tiers and steep drop create a dramatic vertical descent that is visible from the valley below.

Named after Donald Sutherland, an early European settler in the area, the falls have been a well-known feature since the 19th century and are part of the protected landscapes within Fiordland National Park. Conservation of the surrounding native forest and alpine environment remains a management focus.

Sutherland Falls lies in remote southwestern Fiordland, roughly north of Milford Sound and accessible via the Milford Track or by air and boat services that operate into the fjord region.

• Height and location tip: The falls drop about 580 metres in multiple tiers from Lake Quill, making them one of New Zealand's highest waterfalls and a highlight of the Milford Track.