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Milford Sound Coach & Cruise from Queenstown: Panoramic Views

Offered by Southern Discoveries

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$345.00 per person

4.7 (443 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound by glass-roof coach via Te Anau, then join a 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise past Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls.

Tour Overview

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a premium glass roof coach designed for the long alpine journey, with reclining seats, extra legroom, air conditioning, USB charging ports and an onboard toilet. As you leave Queenstown and follow Lake Wakatipu toward Fiordland, your local driver shares commentary on the route and points out short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road.

A break in Te Anau gives you time to stretch your legs and grab a coffee before continuing through the Eglinton Valley, a broad glaciated valley shaped by the Eglinton River. Depending on conditions, there may be a short walk among the Mirror Lakes, where the Earl Mountains are reflected in the water. Other stops along the road can include Lake Gunn, Monkey Creek for glacier fed spring water and kea spotting, and the Homer Tunnel, completed in 1953 and cut through solid rock at 945 metres above sea level.

At Milford Sound, connect directly to a 1 hour 45 minute Nature Cruise with a specialist nature guide on board, plus free tea and coffee. On the fiord, look out for Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Lady Bowen Falls and Sinbad Gully. Wildlife in Milford Sound can include fur seals, penguins and dolphins. Picnic lunch and To Kai buffet options are available on selected departures.

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

Not Included:

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Southern Discoveries - Queenstown Visitor Centre

    • 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

    Pass by without stopping

  2. 2

    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

  3. 3

    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

  4. 4

    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

  5. 5

    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

  6. 6

    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

  7. 7

    Lake Gunn

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

    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

    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

  11. 11

    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

  12. 12

    Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre

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

    10 minutes

    Admission: Included

  13. 13

    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

  14. 14

    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

  15. 15

    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

  16. 16

    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

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

*Please make sure you are at your required pickup location at least 15mins prior to departure. * 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. *A smaller vehicle which does not feature a glass roof may be used with smaller groups for a more personalized experience.

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
  • 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.