Milford Sound Coach and Cruise from Queenstown with Buffet Lunch

based on 334 reviews

Duration:12 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Queenstown, South Island

From $192.33

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Journey in comfort with Milford Sound's original cruise operator on one of our low emission coaches. Take in the incredible, panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. Enjoy entertaining commentary, and let us show you the best stops and short walks along the way as you connect seamlessly to your Milford Sound cruise.

Discover native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains on our extended Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and close enough to feel the full force of the powerful 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls waterfall. Specialist nature guide on board sharing their local knowledge with lively and informative commentary.

Delicious and freshly prepared Lunch alongside complimentary tea and coffee included on the cruise, with a licensed bar on board.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
• 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
6.
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).
7. Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
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.
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.
10.
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.
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.
12.
Exchange your pass and board your Nature Cruise. Your unforgettable journey on the water starts here!
13.
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.
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.
15.
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.
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.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Mark_B
Personally think it’s overrated after hearing about it from other people, 12 1/2 hr day round trip , coach driver was great , very knowledgeable with great commentary, after driving in decided to fly back 1 hr trip and to get a greater overview of the area
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-17 15:43:21

Posted By : Loretta W
We did this tour on Friday,
The day before we were phoned by the company offering us a free upgrade to view the underwater observation place. We accepted gratefully. But unfortunately it was not mentioned on the day?
The bus ride there and back again was fantastic. Roland was a great driver and told us very interesting things about the area.

The actual boat ride was crammed with to many people. A very large group of people were singing loudly in their own language and dancing on board and not to be outdone another group decided to have their own singing and dancing show. Because of these people we were not able to hear the commentary by the on board crew about the area and waterfalls.
Unfortunately we did not enjoy the experience as much as we had hoped we would.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-03 23:22:18

Posted By : Liu_Z
There are lots of splendid visions on the road：the rain，the mount，the blue fiord，the wind，which make me excited. Anyway，this is unforgettable travel.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-03 16:55:58

Posted By : Anonymous855
Our tour was on time and that is the result of Paul being very conscientious. His storytelling was delightful and helped the long bus trip move along quicker. The bus had a sun roof and we stopped for restroom breaks frequently. Overall, it was a good experience. Lunch buffet was good and well supplied and we were incredibly fortunate to have beautiful weather. The only way to add the last star was to give us more time on the actual boat. We were out and back at the dock too quickly for me.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-30 16:34:49

Posted By : Q6451FBtrevort
The coach driver was not very professional. The boat trip was great a 5 plus.
The coach trip was very stressfull.
In the first 30 minutes of our trip the coach driver had whilst driving the bus.
Received and carried out a phone call.
Kept reading his day/run sheet, taking his eyes off the road.
Kept turning around to talk to a passenger who he obviously knew. This passenger was seated in the first row near the door. When the passenger spoke he would look directly at them.
I did not feel safe and spent the whole trip watching the driver ready to yell at him if he was about to run off the road.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-29 16:24:30

Posted By : Wayne-Librarian
After an early morning pickup near our hotel, drive/guide Keith proved an excellent driver and tour guide whose knowledge was encyclopedic. It revealed how much he loves this spectacular land and his desire to share it.
The four hour coach ride was punctuated with well timed and selected stops as we wound our way through the valleys and climbed into to mountains before the drop down into Milford Sound.
That’s when the ‘spectacularity’ really ramped up.
We picked a perfect day. As we are here in shoulder season, we were able to make our reservations just a few days ahead for the day with the best forecast.
And it was…the best day!
Our buffet lunch was delicious. The waterfalls were everywhere. And the stop at the underwater observatory was interesting if not awe inspiring. I’m glad we did it.
Highly recommend this company.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-28 20:46:57

Posted By : LouAnn_F
Our tour driver was amazing telling Maori legends/stories as we wound our way from Queenstown to Milford Sound. It helped the long drive to move along quicker. We were so fortunate to have beautiful weather and stayed on the bow of the ship the entire time on the weather (with the exception of a quick buffet lunch). We got in line early to board the ship so got into the food line pretty early...choices were fine. Coffee free in the corner of the room. Other tour groups had window seating but we went outside. My biggest suggestion to to lengthen the time spent cruising. The drive is so long, there needed to be a better balance of time spent at the destination. Waterfalls were nice but not incredible (we've been to Iceland)
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-21 16:51:03

Posted By : JoAnnaHuiLin_H
I love how the coach was so knowledgeable and really shared interesting facts throughout the trips. Loved learning about the small towns and suburbs we passed through.

Once we arrived at Milford sounds boarding onto the boat was really easy and smooth. We had a lovely buffet lunch. Food exceeded my expectations 😋.

Scenery while ok cruise was so lovely and next level.

We thoroughly enjoyed this activity booked. Well worth the price paid for.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-10 05:40:25

Posted By : Annie_F
We purposely went when it was raining because that’s when you see the most waterfalls. Suggest a super high quality rain jacket - waterproof only!! They do sell ponchos but they’re the single use ones.
Sonia is HILARIOUS!! Highly recommend her as your tour guide. The buffet lunch was also incredible… it was a long day but so worth it.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-09 17:41:35

Posted By : PINDER
Francesco was amazing tour guide with lots of knowledge wonderful experience beautiful views highly recommended 👌
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-09 02:08:12