Milford Sound Discovery Cruise & Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Fiordland National Park's stunning landscapes
- Cruise past iconic Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls
- Spot local wildlife like dolphins and seals
- Enjoy a delicious lunch onboard the cruise
- Experience the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound
- Scenic cruise through Milford Sound
- Complimentary lunch and refreshments
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Itinerary
Pass by: Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
Pass by: Departing Queenstown we wind our way around Lake Wakatipu, with amazing views of ‘The Remarkables’ Mountain Range and the lake.
Pass by: Continuing around the lake we will pass through Devil’s Staircase. This elevated windy part of the road is famous for dramatic photos and setting the scene for the day to come.
After more amazing mountain, river and farmland views we arrive in Te Anau, home to Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second largest lake. While in this idyllic town we will stop for a break and maybe meet some of the local animals or wildlife. Continuing along the lake we stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, to hear the stories and admire the views.
Leaving Te Anau and entering Fiordland National Park we stop in Eglinton Valley. With views worthy of Lord of the Rings, this valley follows the path of an ancient glacier through Fiordland. One of the first major attractions as you enter the park, it really sets the scene for a journey that only get more impressive the deeper you get.
Our next stop on this epic adventure is Mirror Lakes for a short stroll to see the famous reflections of the Earl Mountains. Get the right day, take a good picture and no one with be able to tell which way is the right way up for the photo.
Continuing along the Milford Road we come across Lake Gunn. Named after a famous explorer and popular for fishing, often we will stop at Lake Gunn for some photos and to enjoy the peace.
Pass by: A short drive away we start passing the Hollyford River a gorgeous and powerful river full of large boulders and rapids. Feeding into the river at Falls Creek is the first of our extremely impressive waterfalls of the area, one of many to come.
Climbing in altitude we go deeper into the Darran Mountains and these views require another stop to admire and take photos. We are also entering the area where Kea (the world’s largest alpine parrot) like to live. Start keeping an eye out for these large, cheeky and colourful birds that never fail to thrill and entertain when found.
Pass by: To make our way back down towards the sea we enter the mind-blowing hand-built Homer Tunnel, hearing the incredible history and stories. Emerging from the tunnel the valley descends sharply towards Milford Sound and on a rainy-day hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the mountain side.
Following the valleys to the sea we arrive at Milford Sound where you will board your cruise with Cruise Milford (the No. 1 Cruise operator in Milford Sound on TripAdvisor).
Pass by: While on the boat cruise you will be able to marvel at the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak, the iconic Milford Sound mountain, with its steep triangular peak rising high up above the reflective waters of the Milford Sound.
Next we pull over to admire the elevated amazing views of the divide in the Southern Alps, close to the start of the Routeburn Track. While here the guide will tell you the stories of ancient Maori explorers.
Pass by: Sadly we must start to head back to Queenstown but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip and many stops and breaks along the way.
Meeting point
Start Location
The Station - Home of Adventure in Queenstown, Corner of Shotover & Camp Streets, 25 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately.
- Children under 5 years old are not permitted on this tour.
- Please inform the operator of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear suitable for a full-day excursion.
- Bring a waterproof jacket and sunscreen to protect against the elements.
- Ensure you have a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Flights are always 'On Request' until confirmed with our partner airline
- Scenic flights cannot be confirmed without full names and weights of all travellers. Scenic flight weight restrictions are 130 KG
- If our regular flight operator is unavailable, we may be able to arrange an alternative operator; however, this could be at an additional cost
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can hire seats ($20NZD per seat) or you can provide your own
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Traveler reviews
Milford Sound Day Trip
The driver/tour guide, Raghov, was excellent! He showed us some interesting places.
A lot of driving but...
A lot of driving but GORGEOUS scenery!!! Fun stories from the driver Long day - but doesn’t feel like it with all the stops and beautiful lookouts!! A 10/10 for sure!!!
A proud Kiwi's experience in our country. Loved it!
Wow! An unforgettable memorable experience. A Kiwi, born and bred in NZ from Auckland I booked this small group tour for my other half, first-time in Sth Island. We were very impressed with the tour especially our tour guide Danny. His affable and disarming nature eliminated the need for an ice breaker. He was sincere and accommodating fir everybody on the mini van. Their were different age groups and cultures but he made us all feel included. I enjoyed the way he queued his music to set the theme fir his commentary at different spots he visited. As a Kiwi, he was on point with commentary even we learnt some new things about our country. We are also proud of Danny, he expressed the importance of our Maori culture to our country and to respect its land. Our small group of 12, got to mix easily with these lovely people from around the world. The minivan and smaller boat was worth it. We were able to drive to extra locations unlike the large buses who were limited. Same with the boat, we were able to get closer to the shore. A beautiful day, we stopped at a lot of photographic areas on the way in to our boat, and then a straight drive. And a bonus was our packed lunch. Thank you so much Danny, keep up the amazing work you do, sharing about the beauty of our country the views, story and our music. Book this tour guys, you will love it!😀
Wonderful intro to NZ!
We absolutely enjoyed our tour with Kristina who was a wonderful storyteller regaling us with the stories of the land throughout. The 13 hours flew past with so many beautiful pictures of gorgeous places which she stopped to show us along the way! She's also a fantadtic photographer. What a wonderful way to start our holiday in New Zealand!
Wonderful tour!
What a terrific tour this was. We had Abbey as our driver, she was very knowledgeable and engaging. We were worried about the big drive there and back, but the comfortable van and the regular stops made it very enjoyable. Lunch is delicious and plentiful- I am gluten free and I was well taken care of. We would absolutely recommend this tour and Cheeky Kiwi. Thank you for a terrific day!