Milford Sound Coach & Cruise from Queenstown: Panoramic Views
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
• 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Exchange your pass and board your Nature Cruise. Your unforgettable journey on the water starts here!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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.
Reviews(452)
A very long day but well worth it! Our guide, Haymish, was great and his stories and knowledge about New Zealand and the scenery around us helped the drive pass by (as did looking at the beautiful views out the window!). We had a few stops on the way for coffee/breakfast, opportunities to see some lakes, rivers, and other scenic points, and to stretch our legs. The Milford Sound cruise was incredible and worth the drive! Would recommend this trip to anyone visiting NZ.
Amazing tour and views! Enjoyed every bit of the trip. Our driver, Vaughan (I think that was his name!), had great commentary and knowledge, which made the trip even more enjoyable. Would 100% do another tour with this company!
Hamish is THE MAN🙌 smoothe drive, entertaining, informative, helpful and very accommodating to everyone! This tour was a mesmerizing and unforgettable experience. A MUST DO for sure. Thanks to Hamish and the team for a memorable day.
Great day travelling to cruise the Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries in one of their glass top buses. The bus driver 'Brownie' as he calls himself was very informative about the areas we drove through and made a few photo stops along the way. The boat was beautiful and the buffet lunch we paid for ahead of time offered a variety of delicious options to please all palates. This tour company is centrally located in Queenstown where we boarded the bus but they also picked up other groups at their hotels along the way. I highly recommend booking with Southern Discoveries. They are top notch!
Kia ora, Brownie will be delighted to see this — really glad he made the drive as enjoyable as the destination. The glass-roof bus really does change the way you take in the scenery on the way through, and it sounds like the buffet set everyone up nicely for the cruise. Thanks so much for the wonderful recommendation. Ngā mihi nui
This tour was top knotch! Ellie was the best guide, so funny and kind and thoughtful, saved us a set of 4 seats together on the bus when we boarded, suggesting we stock up on lunch items in te Anau, and so informative, with lots of local knowledge along the way. We noticed of all the buses, southern discoveries has the most modern one and also has a glass roof so u can see the alps as you drive, plus ph charger. The 2 hour boat tour is the best, if u drive all that way, of course a longer boat ride is the choice. Jack was an excellent driver too. It was the highlight day of a 2 week NZ trip for us!
Kia ora Linda, Ellie and Jack will both be absolutely thrilled to read this — what a lovely thing to come back to. The Discover More trip really does give you that extra time on the water, and it sounds like Ellie's touches along the way made all the difference. Highlight of a two-week NZ trip is high praise indeed — thank you. Ngā mihi nui
Coach crew, Nick and Ally were great! Lot of knowledge and they were so funny and kind. We also had great experience on the boat, with Jess as a guide. We were lucky enough to see dolphins and seals! Everything was going great and we didn't have any issues on our trip.
Kia ora, Dolphins and seals in the same day — that's Milford really putting on a show. Nick, Ally and Jess will be so pleased to read this; it sounds like the whole team were on great form. Really glad everything came together so seamlessly. Ngā mihi nui
We had an absolutely wonderful experience on our journey to Milford Sound, and it was truly made special by the amazing team of Southern Discoveries! A big thank you to Jas from Lady Bowen Cruise, who was exceptional throughout the cruise. Jas was warm, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable, making the entire experience both informative and enjoyable. The way everything was explained, along with the friendly approach, really enhanced our appreciation of the stunning scenery. We would also like to sincerely appreciate Bus Captain Peter and the driver Jack for the journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound. The drive was long but absolutely seamless, thanks to their professionalism, safe driving, and great attitude. The commentary along the way, smooth handling of the bus, and well-timed stops made the trip comfortable and memorable. Overall, a truly 5-star experience from start to finish. Highly recommend this team to anyone planning a trip to Milford Sound!
Kia ora Vincent, Peter and Jack will love seeing this — and Jas on Lady Bowen will too. The Discover More trip really does give that little bit extra, and it sounds like the whole team brought their best on the day. Thank you for such a generous and detailed review. Ngā mihi nui
This was a long day be really enjoyable. Our driver Greg was excellent. We paid extra for the buffet…that was a mistake.
Kia ora Matt, Really glad Greg made the day — he's a great one to have behind the wheel. Sorry to hear the buffet didn't hit the mark; that's useful feedback we'd love to hear more about. Feel free to get in touch at info@southerndiscoveries.co.nz. Ngā mihi nui
Our tour guide, Vaughn, was excellent and made the trip for us. We would whole heartedly recommend him to others who decide to make this trip! We are from Maine and were a little disappointed not to see much in the way of marine life. However, the day was absolutely beautiful and we are both glad we got to experience Milford Sound and the fun of listening to all of Vaughn’s stories about the region! He warned us that seeing marine life wasn’t a guarantee, but as we stated above, Vaughn more than made up for it! Ralph and Josie Davies Harpswell, Maine
Kia ora Ralph and Josie, Vaughan will be thrilled to read this — he really does have a way of making the journey as memorable as the destination. Wildlife sightings are always in nature's hands, but it sounds like Milford still put on a beautiful show. Hope Maine is treating you well on your return. Ngā mihi nui
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour was beautiful. However, working with Viator—retrieving the tickets and getting the information about where to meet for the tour was very frustrating and time consuming. We won’t use Viator again. Many phone calls and emails were made. Their customer service was excellent, but we felt it could have been avoided.
