Milford Sound Coach and Nature Cruise from Queenstown with Panoramic Views
by Southern Discoveries
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$556.20Overview
The tour begins with boarding a premium coach in Queenstown, featuring panoramic windows, glass roofs, reclining seats, USB charging ports, and air-conditioning. The coach driver shares local commentary, stories, and points out recommended short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road. The route follows the shores of Lake Wakatipu before heading through varied landscapes toward Milford Sound. Along the way, the coach stops briefly in Queenstown and Te Anau, each for about 30 minutes. Travelers can stretch, enjoy refreshments, and take in the surroundings. Additional stops include a 10-minute visit to the glaciated Eglinton Valley, a 15-minute walk at Mirror Lakes to see reflections of the Earl Mountains (weather permitting), and a 10-minute break at a viewpoint with information panels about avalanches and local wildlife. Other points of interest include Lake Gunn, Monkey Creek where guests can refill water bottles and spot native kea parrots, and a drive through the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel at 945 meters altitude. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, travelers exchange their passes and board a nature cruise that lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The boat travels beneath waterfalls such as Stirling Falls and Lady Bowen Falls, passes Mitre Peak, and looks for wildlife including fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. A specialist nature guide provides commentary onboard. The cruise includes complimentary tea and coffee. Return transport on the same coach brings guests back to Queenstown. Options to pre-order a picnic lunch or select the To Kai buffet are available on certain departures. A multi-lingual app with commentary in eight languages is offered for download to supplement the tour. The full experience lasts around 12 and a half hours, combining coach travel and a nature cruise with multiple stops to explore the scenic Fiordland region and Milford Sound.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Coach travel and Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Travel on a premium glass-roof coach with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning, USB charging ports, and onboard toilet. Local drivers provide informative commentary, pointing out short walks and photo spots along Milford Road. The coach connects to a Milford Sound Nature Cruise lasting approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, with a specialist nature guide offering commentary and free tea and coffee onboard.
Queenstown
Queenstown is located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu against the Southern Alps. Known for adventure sports and regional vineyards, the town serves as the starting point before heading toward Fiordland. Passengers have about 30 minutes here before departure.
30 min
Te Anau
This town is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, known for the endangered flightless takahē bird and trout in Lake Te Anau. The coach stops here for 30 minutes to allow guests to stretch, grab refreshments, and break the journey.
30 min
Eglinton Valley
A 10-minute stop at this glaciated valley with steep sides and a flat shingle riverbed floor shaped by the Eglinton River. The valley ranges from half a kilometre to two kilometres wide.
10 min
Mirror Lakes Walk
Guests have 15 minutes to walk among small lakes that reflect the Earl Mountains, weather permitting. This easy and short walk is located just off Milford Road.
15 min
Interpretation Panels Stop
A 10-minute break where visitors can read panels about avalanches on Milford Road and local wildlife. Facilities include toilets and a telephone accepting card payments only.
10 min
Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is a visually striking lake on New Zealand’s South Island, seen along the Milford Road.
Monkey Creek
A 10-minute stop offering views of the upper Hollyford Valley, a glacier-fed spring to refill water bottles, and opportunities to see native kea parrots in the area.
10 min
Homer Tunnel
The coach passes through the 1.2-kilometre unlined Homer Tunnel at 945 meters elevation. Completed in 1953, the tunnel has a gradient of 1 in 10 and traffic is controlled by lights.
Cleddau River
Travel along the Milford Road borders the Cleddau River, which flows into the head of Milford Sound.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord known for Mitre Peak, rainforests, and waterfalls including Stirling and Bowen Falls. The area hosts fur seals, penguins, and dolphins. The Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory provide views of black coral and marine life. Boat tours are a common way to explore the fiord.
130 min
Nature Cruise Boarding
Passengers exchange their passes and board the Milford Sound Nature Cruise, which lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes.
10 min
Mitre Peak
Mitre Peak is a prominent mountain on the shore of Milford Sound and is one of New Zealand’s most photographed peaks.
Stirling Falls
Stirling Falls is Milford Sound’s second-highest waterfall, with a height of 151 meters, which is three times that of Niagara Falls. The 1,300 meter mountain behind the falls reduces the apparent height. Boats can pass directly beneath the sheer drop, allowing passengers to feel the force of the glacial water falling from 151 meters. This waterfall was featured in the movie Wolverine, where Hugh Jackman’s character jumped off it.
Sinbad Gully
Located behind Mitre Peak, Sinbad Gully features steep glacial walls and granite cliffs. The area has been protected from pests, preserving native species. The tour operator supports conservation efforts through the Sinbad Sanctuary Project.
Bowen Falls
Lady Bowen Falls is Milford Sound’s highest waterfall at 162 meters. It provides hydroelectric power and the water supply for the Milford Sound settlement.
Meeting point
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
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.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Milford Sound Coach and Nature Cruise from Queenstown with Panoramic Views
by Southern Discoveries
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$556.20Overview
The tour begins with boarding a premium coach in Queenstown, featuring panoramic windows, glass roofs, reclining seats, USB charging ports, and air-conditioning. The coach driver shares local commentary, stories, and points out recommended short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road. The route follows the shores of Lake Wakatipu before heading through varied landscapes toward Milford Sound. Along the way, the coach stops briefly in Queenstown and Te Anau, each for about 30 minutes. Travelers can stretch, enjoy refreshments, and take in the surroundings. Additional stops include a 10-minute visit to the glaciated Eglinton Valley, a 15-minute walk at Mirror Lakes to see reflections of the Earl Mountains (weather permitting), and a 10-minute break at a viewpoint with information panels about avalanches and local wildlife. Other points of interest include Lake Gunn, Monkey Creek where guests can refill water bottles and spot native kea parrots, and a drive through the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel at 945 meters altitude. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, travelers exchange their passes and board a nature cruise that lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The boat travels beneath waterfalls such as Stirling Falls and Lady Bowen Falls, passes Mitre Peak, and looks for wildlife including fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. A specialist nature guide provides commentary onboard. The cruise includes complimentary tea and coffee. Return transport on the same coach brings guests back to Queenstown. Options to pre-order a picnic lunch or select the To Kai buffet are available on certain departures. A multi-lingual app with commentary in eight languages is offered for download to supplement the tour. The full experience lasts around 12 and a half hours, combining coach travel and a nature cruise with multiple stops to explore the scenic Fiordland region and Milford Sound.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Coach travel and Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Travel on a premium glass-roof coach with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning, USB charging ports, and onboard toilet. Local drivers provide informative commentary, pointing out short walks and photo spots along Milford Road. The coach connects to a Milford Sound Nature Cruise lasting approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, with a specialist nature guide offering commentary and free tea and coffee onboard.
Queenstown
Queenstown is located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu against the Southern Alps. Known for adventure sports and regional vineyards, the town serves as the starting point before heading toward Fiordland. Passengers have about 30 minutes here before departure.
30 min
Te Anau
This town is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, known for the endangered flightless takahē bird and trout in Lake Te Anau. The coach stops here for 30 minutes to allow guests to stretch, grab refreshments, and break the journey.
30 min
Eglinton Valley
A 10-minute stop at this glaciated valley with steep sides and a flat shingle riverbed floor shaped by the Eglinton River. The valley ranges from half a kilometre to two kilometres wide.
10 min
Mirror Lakes Walk
Guests have 15 minutes to walk among small lakes that reflect the Earl Mountains, weather permitting. This easy and short walk is located just off Milford Road.
15 min
Interpretation Panels Stop
A 10-minute break where visitors can read panels about avalanches on Milford Road and local wildlife. Facilities include toilets and a telephone accepting card payments only.
10 min
Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is a visually striking lake on New Zealand’s South Island, seen along the Milford Road.
Monkey Creek
A 10-minute stop offering views of the upper Hollyford Valley, a glacier-fed spring to refill water bottles, and opportunities to see native kea parrots in the area.
10 min
Homer Tunnel
The coach passes through the 1.2-kilometre unlined Homer Tunnel at 945 meters elevation. Completed in 1953, the tunnel has a gradient of 1 in 10 and traffic is controlled by lights.
Cleddau River
Travel along the Milford Road borders the Cleddau River, which flows into the head of Milford Sound.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord known for Mitre Peak, rainforests, and waterfalls including Stirling and Bowen Falls. The area hosts fur seals, penguins, and dolphins. The Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory provide views of black coral and marine life. Boat tours are a common way to explore the fiord.
130 min
Nature Cruise Boarding
Passengers exchange their passes and board the Milford Sound Nature Cruise, which lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes.
10 min
Mitre Peak
Mitre Peak is a prominent mountain on the shore of Milford Sound and is one of New Zealand’s most photographed peaks.
Stirling Falls
Stirling Falls is Milford Sound’s second-highest waterfall, with a height of 151 meters, which is three times that of Niagara Falls. The 1,300 meter mountain behind the falls reduces the apparent height. Boats can pass directly beneath the sheer drop, allowing passengers to feel the force of the glacial water falling from 151 meters. This waterfall was featured in the movie Wolverine, where Hugh Jackman’s character jumped off it.
Sinbad Gully
Located behind Mitre Peak, Sinbad Gully features steep glacial walls and granite cliffs. The area has been protected from pests, preserving native species. The tour operator supports conservation efforts through the Sinbad Sanctuary Project.
Bowen Falls
Lady Bowen Falls is Milford Sound’s highest waterfall at 162 meters. It provides hydroelectric power and the water supply for the Milford Sound settlement.
Meeting point
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
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.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.