Milford Sound Coach & Cruise from Queenstown: Panoramic Views

4.7
(419 reviews)

12 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

A seamless journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, where stunning views are made even better by fascinating stories from your driver. Enjoy a premium coach journey with panoramic windows, glass roofs, and USB charging ports.

From Queenstown, journey along Lake Whakatipu and onto the Milford Road before meeting your cruise in Milford Sound.

Includes options to pre-order a picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departures. With 70+ years of expertise, we deliver unforgettable journeys and a premium experience for all. Download our free app to hear the commentary in eight languages.

With round-trip transport from Queenstown and an easy cruise connection, everything is sorted, so you can lose yourself in the wonder of Milford Sound.

What's Included

Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
Milford Sound Nature Cruise for up to 2 hours
Cruise beneath the waterfalls of Milford Sound and look for native wildlife
FREE tea and coffee onboard the cruise
Return transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium coach
Freshly prepared Lunch
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (110 Beach Street, Queenstown) to check in for your trip. Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • (Pass by)

    • Travel on a premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning. Low emission and brand new fleet. • USB charging ports and onboard toilet • Experienced, local coach drivers provide engaging and informative commentary, and show you the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road • Coach connects with our Milford Sound Nature Cruise for a 1hr 45mins cruise of Milford Sound • Specialist nature guide on board provides entertaining and informative commentary • FREE tea and coffee

    Admission ticket free
  • 1
    Queenstown

    Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Renowned for adventure sports, it’s also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. Take in the sights as you head out of town and toward the incredible Fiordland.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Te Anau

    Te Anau is a beautiful town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Enjoy a short break here on your way to Milford Sound, in order to break up the journey, grab a coffee, and stretch your legs.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Eglinton Valley

    This beautiful valley is glaciated with steep sides and a flat floor. It's between half a kilometre to two kilometres wide and has a shingle riverbed floor, which is constantly being changed by the Eglinton River. This is an incredible stop you will make as apart of your journey to Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Mirror Lakes Walk

    Enjoy a stroll among small lakes with stunning reflections of the Earl Mountains, should weather be permissive on the day. This is an easy, short walk off the Milford Road.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Interpretation panels show the effect of avalanches on the Milford Road and provide information on the wildlife of the Eglinton Valley. Visitor amenities include toilets and a telephone (card payment only).

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • Lake Gunn (Pass by)

    Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.

    Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Monkey Creek

    Take in great views of the upper Hollyford Valley while you fill up your water bottle from this glacier fed spring. Friendly Keas (a New Zealand alpine parrot) love this area so it's a great stop for some kea spotting.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • Homer Tunnel (Pass by)

    At an altitude of 945 metres above sea level and 1.2 kilometres in length, the unlined road tunnel allows access through sheer rock to Milford Sound with a gradient of 1 in 10. Completed in 1953, traffic lights control the traffic flow through the tunnel. An incredible part of your journey along the Milford Road.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    The Cleddau River is a beautiful river of New Zealand. It flows into the head of Milford Sound. You'll see many parts of this river as you journey along the Milford Sound road.

    Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Milford Sound

    Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life. Boat tours are a popular way to explore.

    2 hours 10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8

    Exchange your pass and board your Nature Cruise. Your unforgettable journey on the water starts here!

    10 minutes Admission ticket included
  • (Pass by)

    Mitre Peak is a beautifully dramatic mountain in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed mountain peaks in the entire country.

    Admission ticket free
  • Stirling Falls (Pass by)

    Milford’s second-highest waterfall is the Stirling Falls, a staggering 151m in height – three times the height of Niagara Falls, but the 1,300m mountain behind displaces this incredible height. This is the famous waterfall that Hugh Jackman ‘jumped off’ in the movie Wolverine. The sheer drop of the Stirling Falls allows boats to get right underneath – it’s an incredible feeling to have the power of 151m worth of glacial water falling so close to you.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Nestled behind the world famous Mitre Peak, the Sinbad Gully is characterised by extremely steep glacially carved walls punctuated by near vertical granite cliffs. These walls slowed pest invasion into the gully and as a result a number of unique native species remain in the Sinbad. Southern Discoveries is passionate about preserving Milford Sound’s beauty for future generations which is why it’s a key partner in a major conservation project – the Sinbad Sanctuary Project. The aim is to see the valley of New Zealand’s most photographed mountain (Sinbad Gully is at the base of Mitre Peak) become a sanctuary for native species.

    Admission ticket free
  • Bowen Falls (Pass by)

    The stunning Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall. It plunges 162m from a hanging valley into the head of Milford Sound and provides electricity for the Milford Sound township by feeding a small hydroelectric scheme, as well as being the water source for the settlement.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Supplied by Southern Discoveries

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Tags

Day Cruises
Day Trips
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Historical Tours
Catamaran Cruises
Water Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Excellent Quality
Best Conversion
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
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Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.7 Based on 419 419 reviews
5 stars
346
4 stars
47
3 stars
15
2 stars
3
1 star
8
Likely to sell out
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