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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

Offered by Pure Milford

From

$265.00 per person

4.7 (859 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

12 hours (approx.)Pickup Available Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

Day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound via Te Anau and Fiordland National Park, with stops en route, a two-hour cruise, lunch and return coach travel.

Tour Overview

Travel from Queenstown along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and over the rugged bends of Devil's Staircase, passing mountain ranges and southern farmland on the way to Te Anau. This scheduled stop in Te Anau gives you time to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, take a short walk to the lake, or make the most of phone signal and WiFi before continuing into Fiordland National Park.

From here, the road journey to Milford Sound is a major part of the day. Your driver guide shares local knowledge and stories as the coach moves through rainforest, glacier-carved valleys and alpine viewpoints, with stops at Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat and Monkey Creek for short walks and time outside in Fiordland.

At Milford Sound, board a spacious catamaran for a two hour cruise through the fiord and out toward the Tasman Sea. The boat stays close to the fiord's edge, giving you a clear view of towering mountains, sheer cliffs, hanging valleys and waterfalls dropping from rainforest high above. Look for New Zealand fur seals, and occasionally dolphins, as you pass Mitre Peak. Complimentary lunch is included on board, and you can head to the sun deck or bow as the crew brings the vessel in close to Stirling Falls. After the cruise, return by coach via Te Anau and continue on to Queenstown.

What's Included

  • Lunch
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Coffee and/or Tea

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Murihiku Southland

    Departing Queenstown and hugging the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the highway brings you along the rugged but beautiful Devil's Staircase and passed stunning mountain ranges to southern rural heartland. After passing through deer, cattle and sheep farming landscape, you come to the beautiful town of Te Anau, the Gateway to Fiordland, for a refreshment break.

    2 hours

  2. 2

    Te Anau

    The coach makes a scheduled stop at Te Anau, the Gateway to Fiordland for an important rest break before journeying into the National Park. You can use this time to get your caffeine fix, stretch your legs, take a stroll to the lake or stock up on the last of connectivity as phone signal and WiFi is blissfully lost as you enter Fiordland.

    30 minutes

  3. 3

    Fiordland National Park

    Embark on a stunning tour through the National Park to Milford Sound; where the journey is just as spectacular as the destination! Enjoy insightful and anecdotal storytelling from our experienced driver guides as they share the secrets of their beautiful back yard. Take advantage of the plentiful stops along the way for incredible photo ops and short nature walks through the heart of Fiordland at iconic points such as Elginton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat and Monkey Creek.

    3 hours

  4. 4

    Milford Sound

    Step aboard a spacious catamaran, and enjoy a scenic cruise along spectacular Milford Sound. Get up close and personal with the fiord's towering mountains, sheer cliffs and hanging valleys as the boat hugs the edges of the fiord throughout the two hour cruise. Feel the spray from the waterfalls that cascade from an ancient rainforest high in the mountains and look out for New Zealand fur seal colonies and occasionally dolphins swimming nearby. As your cruise meanders past majestic Mitre Peak and as you navigate the length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea, let the scenery transport you back to a time of magical wilderness! Relax in the comfortable seating, grab a local beer or wine from the bar, soak up the scenery from the sun deck or join the famously friendly crew on the bow as the boat noses close to Stirling Falls for the refreshing finale.

    2 hours

  5. 5

    Fiordland National Park

    The coach returns to Te Anau after the cruise without stopping along the way, giving you time to edit your photos, have a quick nap or just reflect on the cruise of a lifetime!

    2 hours

  6. 6

    Te Anau

    A shorter rest break in Te Anau is made on the return journey before completing the trip back to Queenstown.

    20 minutes

  7. 7

    Murihiku Southland

    After a short break in Te Anau, the coach returns to Queenstown after a long but unforgettable day!

    2 hours

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup available

If requesting pickup, please select your preferred location when booking through Viator.

Pickup details

Pick ups are available from bus stops in central Queenstown and along the Frankton Road. Please contact the operator with your accommodation details to find the closest pick up point and confirm the time. ...

Or Meet At Meeting point

Athol Street

Athol Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

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The Athol Street Bus Stop is the central pick up point for the coach and cruise tour departing Queenstown. Please contact the operator with your accommodation details to find the closest pick up point.

End Point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Important Information

Pick ups are provided from specific bus stops in central Queesnstown, along Frankton Road and in Frankton. YOUR PICK UP IS NOT FROM YOUR HOTEL. **Please note that the pick up route takes 30 minutes and so your pick up time may differ from the scheduled departure time.** Please contact the local operator with your accommodation to confirm the closest pick up time and place. We recommend bringing cash for the onboard Cafe / Bar as stable connection for credit card transactions is not always reliable.

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please ensure that a car seat or suitable restraint is brought for all passengers 4 years and under travelling on our coach to ensure their safety and safety of others.
  • Piopiotahi Milford Sound is a place of exceptional natural beauty, carved by glaciers and surrounded by towering peaks and lush rainforest. As part of Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s most remote and rugged region, this incredible environment also brings with it a range of natural hazards. While our team takes every measure to operate safely and keep you informed, it’s important that you are aware of potential risks so you can be prepared and confident during your visit. More information can be found on https://puremilford.co.nz/natural-hazard-and-risk

Cancellation Policy

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