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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback

Offered by Southern Discoveries

From

$855.00 per person

4.3 (40 reviews)

Confirmation: MANUAL

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

9 hours (approx.) Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound by coach, cruise and scenic flight, with stops at Te Anau and Mirror Lakes, plus lunch on a 1 hr 45 min cruise.

Tour Overview

Depart Queenstown at 6.45am and travel to Milford Sound on a brand new premium glass roof coach, with reclining seats, extra legroom, air conditioning, USB charging ports and an onboard toilet. Along the Milford Road, your local driver shares commentary and stops at key points including Te Anau, where you can take a short break, and the Eglinton Valley, a glaciated valley shaped by the Eglinton River.

The journey also includes Mirror Lakes, where an easy short walk offers reflections of the Earl Mountains when conditions allow, and Lake Gunn, with interpretation panels about avalanches, wildlife and the surrounding valley. Near the upper Hollyford Valley, you can refill your water bottle from a glacier fed spring and look out for kea. The route continues through the Homer Tunnel before arriving at Milford Sound.

Board the 1 hour 45 minute Nature Cruise and see Milford Sound from the water, with views of Mitre Peak, Lady Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls and Sinbad Gully. A specialist nature guide provides commentary, and a freshly prepared lunch is served onboard. You may also spot fur seals, penguins and dolphins in the fiord.

After the cruise, transfer to Milford Sound Airport and fly back to Queenstown. The 35 minute scenic flight passes over Fiordland National Park, including alpine lakes, waterfalls and the 580 metre Sutherland Falls.

What's Included

  • Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
  • Freshly made Lunch
  • Return Scenic Flight to Queenstown
  • 1 Hour 45 Minute Milford Sound Nature Cruise
  • FREE tea and coffee on board cruise
  • Specialist nature commentary onboard cruise
  • Transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium coach

Not Included:

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Queenstown

    Trip departs Queenstown at 6.45am. Travel on a brand new, premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air conditioning, USB charging ports and on board toilet. Enjoy as your local coach driver provides you with interesting and informative commentary as the breath-taking scenery unfolds around you. They'll show you all the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road. This coach will connect with our 1hr 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise. After your cruise, you will meet your pilot and make your way to the Milford Sound Airport for a truly unforgettable Scenic Flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown. The ultimate Milford Sound experience!

    20 minutes

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 5

    Eglinton Valley Camp

    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

  6. 6

    Lake Gunn

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

    Pass by without stopping

  7. 7

    Cleddau River

    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.

    Pass by without stopping

  8. 8

    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

  9. 9

    Homer Tunnel

    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.

    Pass by without stopping

  10. 10

    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 30 minutes

  11. 11

    Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre

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

    10 minutes

    Admission: Included

  12. 12

    Bowen Falls

    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.

    Pass by without stopping

  13. 13

    Stirling Falls

    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.

    Pass by without stopping

  14. 14

    Sinbad Gully

    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.

    Pass by without stopping

  15. 15

    Milford Sound Airport - NZMF

    Your Pilot will escort you to the Milford Sound Airport, where you will depart for your return Scenic Flight to Queenstown. Marvel at many of the pristine alpine lakes and waterfalls that Fiordland National Park is recognised for, including the Sutherland Falls which span 580m (1900ft). This is an unforgettable way to see this beautiful part of New Zealand. Flight time is 35 minutes.

    10 minutes

  16. 16

    Mitre Peak

    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.

    Pass by without stopping

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Southern Discoveries - Queenstown Visitor Centre

St Omer Wharf 110 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

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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.

Important Information

*Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared. *Please make sure you are at your required pickup location at least 15mins prior to departure.. *A smaller vehicle which does not feature a glass roof may be used with smaller groups for a more personalised experience. *All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

Additional Info

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
  • All passenger weights MUST be advised at the time of booking
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
  • Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared.
  • Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.

Cancellation Policy

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