Milford Sound Premium Coach and Nature Cruise with Lunch from Queenstown
by Southern Discoveries
Choose from 3 available options
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$758Overview
This full-day coach and boat tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound focuses on the area's natural environment and local history. The 12.5-hour trip uses premium coaches with panoramic glass roofs, reclining seats, USB charging ports, and onboard toilets. Drivers share commentary about the region’s ecology and history, and highlight the best photo stops and short walks along Milford Road. Passengers can download a free multi-lingual commentary app available in eight languages for use on both coach and cruise. The journey includes stops in Queenstown, Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Lake Gunn, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek, and the Homer Tunnel. Short walks like the Mirror Lakes Walk and The Chasm Walk are included when time and weather allow. At Milford Sound, the tour offers a two-hour Nature Cruise with unobstructed views of waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife such as fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Free tea and coffee are served onboard the cruise. Lunch is freshly prepared and included as part of the trip, with options to pre-order a picnic or enjoy the To Kai buffet on certain departures. The tour includes round-trip transport from Queenstown on a premium low-emission coach, the Milford Sound Nature Cruise, lunch, and refreshments. The operator connects the coach and cruise for a smooth transition. Alcoholic drinks are available to buy separately. Child restraints are not provided and must be supplied by passengers if required.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Coach Pickup
Coach pick-up is from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre at 6.30am or 7.00am depending on the selected tour time. The coach features reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning, USB charging ports, and an onboard toilet. Local drivers provide informative commentary about the region and suggest the best short walks and photo stops along Milford Road. The coach connects directly with the Milford Sound Cruise. Complimentary tea and coffee are available onboard.
Queenstown
Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island. This is the departure point for the day trip to Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries. The coach is low-emission and premium, providing a comfortable transfer to Milford Sound. Passengers will enjoy views of native wildlife, waterfalls, and mountains during the day.
15 min
Te Anau
Te Anau is a town known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. It is home to native species including the endangered takahē bird and trout in Lake Te Anau. The coach stops here for about 30 minutes to allow passengers to stretch, grab refreshments, and break up the journey.
30 min
Eglinton Valley
Eglinton Valley is a glaciated valley with steep sides and a flat shingle riverbed floor, shaped continuously by the Eglinton River. It ranges from half a kilometre to two kilometres wide. This stop allows passengers to observe the valley’s distinctive landscape along the route to Milford Sound.
15 min
Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is a scenic lake located on the South Island of New Zealand, visible from the coach during the journey.
Mirror Lakes Walk
This short, easy walk of about 10 minutes is beside small lakes that reflect the Earl Mountains when weather conditions allow. The path is accessed directly from Milford Road and offers photographic opportunities.
10 min
Cleddau River
The Cleddau River flows into the head of Milford Sound. Passengers will see parts of this river along the Milford Sound road during the coach journey.
Monkey Creek
Monkey Creek provides views of the upper Hollyford Valley and a glacier-fed spring where passengers can refill water bottles. The area is frequented by kea, a New Zealand alpine parrot, making it a good spot for bird watching.
10 min
Homer Tunnel
The Homer Tunnel is an unlined road tunnel 1.2 kilometres long and 945 metres above sea level, allowing access through sheer rock to Milford Sound. It has a 1 in 10 gradient and was completed in 1953. Traffic flow through the tunnel is controlled by lights.
The Chasm Walk
When time and weather permit, passengers can take an easy 20-minute walk along a well-maintained trail to view a rock chasm and waterfalls formed by the Cleddau River’s rushing waters.
20 min
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord on New Zealand’s South Island, known for towering Mitre Peak, rainforests, and waterfalls including Stirling and Bowen Falls. It is a habitat for fur seals, penguins, and dolphins. The Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offer views of marine life such as black coral. The tour includes a two-hour Nature Cruise operated by Southern Discoveries.
120 min
Mitre Peak
Mitre Peak is a prominent and frequently photographed mountain located on the shore of Milford Sound.
Bowen Falls
Lady Bowen Falls is Milford Sound’s highest waterfall, dropping 162 metres from a hanging valley into the head of the fiord. It supplies electricity through a small hydroelectric scheme and provides water to the Milford Sound settlement.
Sinbad Gully
Located behind Mitre Peak, Sinbad Gully features steep glacially carved walls and near vertical granite cliffs. These natural barriers have limited pest invasion, allowing native species to survive. Southern Discoveries participates in the Sinbad Sanctuary Project to protect this area.
Stirling Falls
Stirling Falls is Milford Sound’s second-highest waterfall, with a height of 151m, which is three times the height of Niagara Falls. The 1,300m mountain behind the falls makes the height appear less dominant. This waterfall is known for the scene where Hugh Jackman jumped off in the movie Wolverine. The steep drop allows boats to pass directly underneath, exposing passengers to the force of 151m of glacial water falling nearby.
Freshwater Basin
Freshwater Basin is located within Milford Sound and is part of the cruise route.
15 min
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 Premium Coach and Nature Cruise with Lunch from Queenstown
by Southern Discoveries
Choose from 3 available options
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$758Overview
This full-day coach and boat tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound focuses on the area's natural environment and local history. The 12.5-hour trip uses premium coaches with panoramic glass roofs, reclining seats, USB charging ports, and onboard toilets. Drivers share commentary about the region’s ecology and history, and highlight the best photo stops and short walks along Milford Road. Passengers can download a free multi-lingual commentary app available in eight languages for use on both coach and cruise. The journey includes stops in Queenstown, Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Lake Gunn, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek, and the Homer Tunnel. Short walks like the Mirror Lakes Walk and The Chasm Walk are included when time and weather allow. At Milford Sound, the tour offers a two-hour Nature Cruise with unobstructed views of waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife such as fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Free tea and coffee are served onboard the cruise. Lunch is freshly prepared and included as part of the trip, with options to pre-order a picnic or enjoy the To Kai buffet on certain departures. The tour includes round-trip transport from Queenstown on a premium low-emission coach, the Milford Sound Nature Cruise, lunch, and refreshments. The operator connects the coach and cruise for a smooth transition. Alcoholic drinks are available to buy separately. Child restraints are not provided and must be supplied by passengers if required.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Coach Pickup
Coach pick-up is from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre at 6.30am or 7.00am depending on the selected tour time. The coach features reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning, USB charging ports, and an onboard toilet. Local drivers provide informative commentary about the region and suggest the best short walks and photo stops along Milford Road. The coach connects directly with the Milford Sound Cruise. Complimentary tea and coffee are available onboard.
Queenstown
Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island. This is the departure point for the day trip to Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries. The coach is low-emission and premium, providing a comfortable transfer to Milford Sound. Passengers will enjoy views of native wildlife, waterfalls, and mountains during the day.
15 min
Te Anau
Te Anau is a town known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. It is home to native species including the endangered takahē bird and trout in Lake Te Anau. The coach stops here for about 30 minutes to allow passengers to stretch, grab refreshments, and break up the journey.
30 min
Eglinton Valley
Eglinton Valley is a glaciated valley with steep sides and a flat shingle riverbed floor, shaped continuously by the Eglinton River. It ranges from half a kilometre to two kilometres wide. This stop allows passengers to observe the valley’s distinctive landscape along the route to Milford Sound.
15 min
Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is a scenic lake located on the South Island of New Zealand, visible from the coach during the journey.
Mirror Lakes Walk
This short, easy walk of about 10 minutes is beside small lakes that reflect the Earl Mountains when weather conditions allow. The path is accessed directly from Milford Road and offers photographic opportunities.
10 min
Cleddau River
The Cleddau River flows into the head of Milford Sound. Passengers will see parts of this river along the Milford Sound road during the coach journey.
Monkey Creek
Monkey Creek provides views of the upper Hollyford Valley and a glacier-fed spring where passengers can refill water bottles. The area is frequented by kea, a New Zealand alpine parrot, making it a good spot for bird watching.
10 min
Homer Tunnel
The Homer Tunnel is an unlined road tunnel 1.2 kilometres long and 945 metres above sea level, allowing access through sheer rock to Milford Sound. It has a 1 in 10 gradient and was completed in 1953. Traffic flow through the tunnel is controlled by lights.
The Chasm Walk
When time and weather permit, passengers can take an easy 20-minute walk along a well-maintained trail to view a rock chasm and waterfalls formed by the Cleddau River’s rushing waters.
20 min
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord on New Zealand’s South Island, known for towering Mitre Peak, rainforests, and waterfalls including Stirling and Bowen Falls. It is a habitat for fur seals, penguins, and dolphins. The Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offer views of marine life such as black coral. The tour includes a two-hour Nature Cruise operated by Southern Discoveries.
120 min
Mitre Peak
Mitre Peak is a prominent and frequently photographed mountain located on the shore of Milford Sound.
Bowen Falls
Lady Bowen Falls is Milford Sound’s highest waterfall, dropping 162 metres from a hanging valley into the head of the fiord. It supplies electricity through a small hydroelectric scheme and provides water to the Milford Sound settlement.
Sinbad Gully
Located behind Mitre Peak, Sinbad Gully features steep glacially carved walls and near vertical granite cliffs. These natural barriers have limited pest invasion, allowing native species to survive. Southern Discoveries participates in the Sinbad Sanctuary Project to protect this area.
Stirling Falls
Stirling Falls is Milford Sound’s second-highest waterfall, with a height of 151m, which is three times the height of Niagara Falls. The 1,300m mountain behind the falls makes the height appear less dominant. This waterfall is known for the scene where Hugh Jackman jumped off in the movie Wolverine. The steep drop allows boats to pass directly underneath, exposing passengers to the force of 151m of glacial water falling nearby.
Freshwater Basin
Freshwater Basin is located within Milford Sound and is part of the cruise route.
15 min
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.