About this place
A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls
Johnny T. Cheng · 2006
A guidebook devoted entirely to NZ waterfalls, with access notes; older, but still the only book on the subject.
New Zealand · Milford Sound, South Island
Bowen Falls
Named for the wife of an early New Zealand governor, this permanent falls plunges directly into Milford Sound beside the small settlement, visible from cruise boats and from the foreshore near the terminal (the walkway to its foot closed in 2002). Its consistent year-round flow makes it, along with Stirling Falls, one of only two dependable waterfalls on the fiord.
UNESCO World HeritageOne of only two permanent waterfalls on Milford Sound Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Bowen Falls drops 162 metres (532 ft) on the Bowen River, inside Fiordland National Park. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Milford Sound, with ZQN the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Bowen Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Milford Sound are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forBoat cruisesHikingPhotography
When to go
Runs year-round; the other of Milford Sound's two permanent waterfalls, fullest after rain.
Entry: Free from lookout; included in cruise tickets
Getting there
- Base town Milford Sound
- Airport ZQN
- Country New Zealand
- Region Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania
- Access Easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
How it compares
This waterfall
Bowen Falls
New Zealand
Height162 mWidth—
Most similar
Wairere Falls
New Zealand
Height153 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in New Zealand too
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
153 m
162 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsWairere FallsBowen FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 6.0× taller than Bowen Falls. It drops 1.5× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Bowen Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Bowen Falls
6:35
0:52
1:05
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
Natural history
Wild Fiordland: Discovering the Natural History of a World Heritage Area
Neville Peat and Brian Patrick · 2006
Explains the glacial landforms, rainfall and wildlife that shape Fiordland's hanging-valley waterfalls.
DK Eyewitness New ZealandDK Eyewitness
Guidebook
DK Eyewitness New Zealand
DK Eyewitness · 2024
Illustrated maps and regional chapters, helpful for planning a road trip between Taupo, Waitomo and Fiordland.
Moon New ZealandJamie Christian Desplaces
Guidebook
Moon New Zealand
Jamie Christian Desplaces · 2024
Built around road trips and the Great Walks, a good fit if you're combining the Milford Track with North Island falls.
On the map
-44.6725, 167.9231
Quick answers
Where is Bowen Falls?
Bowen Falls is in New Zealand (Milford Sound, South Island), inside Fiordland National Park. The nearest base is Milford Sound and the closest airport is ZQN. Its coordinates are -44.6725, 167.9231.
How tall is Bowen Falls?
Bowen Falls drops 162 metres (532 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Bowen River.
When is the best time to visit Bowen Falls?
Peak flow is January to March and October to December. Runs year-round; the other of Milford Sound's two permanent waterfalls, fullest after rain.
What can you do at Bowen Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: boat cruises, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
Is Bowen Falls a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. Bowen Falls lies within a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Fiordland National Park. Expect park fees, marked trails and rules on where you can walk, swim and fly drones.
How do you get to Bowen Falls?
The usual base is Milford Sound, and the closest airport is ZQN. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Free from lookout; included in cruise tickets.
Nearby
Closest to Bowen Falls
UNESCO Stirling Falls
New Zealand · 151 m · 7 km away
One of only two permanent waterfalls on Milford Sound
Kayaking
Humboldt Falls
New Zealand · 275 m · 17 km away
Humboldt Falls is a waterfall located in the Hollyford Valley in the Fiordland district of New Zealand. They…
Full guide Sutherland Falls
New Zealand · 580 m · 20 km away
New Zealand's tallest waterfall
Helicopter flights
Browne Falls
New Zealand · 836 m · 100 km away
Browne Falls is a waterfall above Doubtful Sound, which is located in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.…