Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Lunch Cruise from Queenstown

based on 325 reviews

Duration:12 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Fiordland & Milford Sound, South Island

From $

Book in 2 easy steps:

1. Select A Date

2. Enter Total No Of Travellers

Infant (Age : 0 to 4)

CHILD (Age : 5 to 14)

ADULT (Age : 15 to 99)

Free Cancellation

Upto 24 hours in Advance.

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Top Selling Tours & Activities

Full-day Tours

Excellent Quality

Bus Tours

Water Tours

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Day Trips

Day Cruises

PRODUCT DETAILS
TRAVELER REVIEWS
TRAVELER PHOTOS

Journey in comfort on one of our low-emission coaches and take in incredible, panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. The overland journey is a spectacular showcase of sheer mountains and towering cliffs, rugged valleys and the native rain forest surrounded by spectacular waterfalls and glacial lakes. Experienced local drivers provide engaging and informative commentary, and show you the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road.

On arrival in Milford Sound cruise in comfort and style on our Milford Sound Nature Cruise while you enjoy some of New Zealand's most iconic and beautiful scenery. Cruise the length of this famous fiord and out to the Tasman Sea, stopping at waterfalls and points of interest along the way. Enjoy a freshly prepared Lunch with FREE tea and coffee onboard your cruise.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
7.00am Coach pick-up from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre • Travel on a premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning •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 Cruise • FREE tea and coffee
2.
Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. It's from here you will set off on a day trip with Milford Sound's original Cruise operator, Southern Discoveries, from Queenstown into Milford Sound to enjoy a beautiful experience of Milford Sound on a premium, low-emission coach with a delicious & freshly cooked international style buffet onboard your cruise. Discover the native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains of the fiords in Milford Sound.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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.
9.
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.
10.
Should weather and time permit, enjoy a short walk here as a part of your Milford Sound day trip with Southern Discoveries. Dramatic views of a rock chasm and waterfalls formed by the rushing waters of the Cleddau River. This is an easy walk along a well maintained trail and is approximately 20 minutes in length.
11.
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. Southern Discoveries cruises are the best way to explore.
12.
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.
13.
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.
14.
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.
15.
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.
16.
Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Nicholas_V
Absolutely gorgeous experience, Pumbaa our coach driver for the day was absolutely amazing, made the experience that much better. He was very informative, humorous and just a top bloke. Had multiple pit stops which was good. The views on the way and the cruise was absolutely stunning. Would definitely recommend and very much would do again.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-03 16:17:15

Posted By : Scott_W
Excellent experience all round…..every aspect was great and well coordinated. It was a long day however very enjoyable
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-25 18:36:58

Posted By : Craig_R
Such a wonderful day out with the family. Both the coach and cruise operators were very informative. The cruise buffet lunch was very nice, but by far the most spectacular thing was the breathtaking scenery, absolutely amazing
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-23 19:15:11

Posted By : elisa_m
We learned so much enroute to Milford Sound from our bus driver/tour guide. Brownie has so much interesting
information. He told delightful stories about the area and the Māori people, sometimes even in the Māori language. .

It was raining the day we went. That’s the best time to go if you want to see all of the waterfalls.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-13 00:27:10

Posted By : GrandTour55063126695
Really great day with a wonderful host. Was great fun, informative, lots of stops and breaks. So much to see and take in, a great way to pack a lot into a long day without having to do any of the driving oneself!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-10 22:01:33

Posted By : JIYE_M
Luck was on our side coz is was winter but sunny. Food was great! To add to our luck, we had a rare encounter with dolphins 🥰
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-07 15:56:51

Posted By : Pam_G
Beautiful scenery, a lot of fun, great lunch on cruise, Shale our.guIde was wonderful who had a great sense of humour and a great knowledge of znew Zealand.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-31 16:29:27

Posted By : Matthew_H
Bus driver (Roland)'s commentary was top notch. The cruise was great! I will definitely do it again. Thank you.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-26 22:56:41

Posted By : DavidXF_X
We had a amazing experience with the coach and all the staff on the cruise. We also toke a lot of beautiful pictures with the lucky sunny day.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-22 13:17:44

Posted By : Navigate00606815097
Driver is absolutely fantastic and funny. Excellent driving and very interesting narrative of the journey and places..
Picnic lunch is good. And cruise is very nice. Enjoyed as couple.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-06 07:19:10