Milford Sound Coach and Cruise from Te Anau with Buffet Lunch

based on 78 reviews

Duration:8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Fiordland & Milford Sound, South Island

From $177.13

Book in 2 easy steps:

1. Select A Date

2. Enter Total No Of Travellers

Infant (Age : 0 to 4)

CHILD (Age : 5 to 14)

ADULT (Age : 15 to 99)

Free Cancellation

Upto 24 hours in Advance.

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Top Selling Tours & Activities

Catamaran Cruises

Full-day Tours

Excellent Quality

Bus Tours

Water Tours

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Coffee Cruises

Day Trips

Day Cruises

PRODUCT DETAILS
TRAVELER REVIEWS
TRAVELER PHOTOS

Journey in comfort on one of our brand new, low-emission coaches and take in incredible, panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. The overland journey is a spectacular showcase of sheer mountains and towering cliffs, rugged valleys and the native rain forest surrounded by spectacular waterfalls and glacial lakes. Experienced local drivers provide engaging and informative commentary, and show you the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road.

On arrival in Milford Sound cruise in comfort and style on our Milford Sound Nature Cruise while you enjoy some of New Zealand's most iconic and beautiful scenery. Cruise the length of the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea, stopping at waterfalls and points of interest along the way. Enjoy a freshly prepared Lunch and FREE tea and coffee onboard the boat.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Southern Discoveries - Go Milford
This is the location of where the Southern Discoveries check in is located, for your special day trip into Milford Sound with the original Milford Sound operators!
2. 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. Your day trip will depart from here.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8.
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.
9. 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.
10.
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.
11. 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.
12.
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.
13. 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.
14. Fiordland National Park
Let us show you around the amazing Fiordland National Park
15.
Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : 290grantn
We got lucky - it rained during the night (and at Milford on the day) so all the waterfalls were in full flight. Tania picked us up and took us for the trip to Milford and back. She was great - a real asset to the company - and her scones (which she got from a local business) were excellent. Kept us amused with her stories (she kept threatening to go quiet but never quite managed it!). The cruise was great - we all got wet but that's par for the course if you want the waterfalls. The skipper nosed in to one waterfall and confessed that the people on the deck he considered to be "targets" rather than passengers as he tried to get as many drenched as possible. Lovely cruise, lots to see, and the bus trip back was again a non-stop commentary from Tania. Loved it all and would be happy to do it again. Thanks Tania
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-16 16:56:51

Posted By : Wendy_L
Seen all the Water Falls and a relaxing coach ride with a fantastic driver telling us about the history
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-12 16:07:55

Posted By : Patrick_M
we were fortunate to be out on a sunny NZ day! the buffet lunch was excellent, the crew was great and the views were astounding!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-06 13:20:33

Posted By : Coastal46776780114
Photos will never do justice to the beautiful scenery we took in on this amazing tour.

Buffet lunch was delish!

Finally, a shout out to #thebesttourguide Keith for the knowledge shared with us. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-31 05:00:59

Posted By : jtjudytribe
Overall the day was interesting and views certainly spectacular, sadly weather was poor - misty and heavy rain once out in Milford Sound. The coach trip is a 3 hour journey there, stopping very briefly at places for photos and toilets. Commentary from the driver on the way was very good, but you are very aware of the time allowed at every stop - there is no lingering. Coach was comfortable and had a glass ceiling so you could get some great views above your head. The traffic on the road to Milford Sound was heavy, lines of coaches so that made progress slow. At Milford Sound, it was extremely busy - car parks full of coaches, felt like an airport and hundreds of people. The staff deal with it all very well and the boat left on time. Buffet lunch was excellent, free tea and coffee - we ate as we left the dock. The actual trip to experience Milford Sound is realistically and hour and a half by the time lunch is finished. The boat was quite full and noisy so difficult to hear any commentary. Would have been nice to spend a bit more time on the water. The journey is scenic and with the rain the waterfalls were spectacular. Little to no wildlife seen apart from some fur seals on rocks. Again on board it felt rushed, noisy, too many people and just too short. Not enough toilets on board and by end of sailing there was a distinct smell coming from them ... Back in dock we were herded off back to coach for a 2 hour trip back to Te Anau. Sadly would probably not do again. Milford Sound is now so busy the beauty of it is somewhat lost. This tour is on the expensive side for what is essentially a long coach trip with a mini cruise.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-12 15:56:55

Posted By : Julia_B
The coach trip was great and the driver brilliant. This was the highlight of the trip.
However, the boat trip was a huge disapointment and I will certainly vere people away from this company in the future. The boat was unsuitable for purpose. It was a ferry fit taking large numbers from A to B. It was not a cruise ship where passengers are able to enjoy the view. From inside the boat we couldn't get near a window, these had all been reserved for the big tour companies. Outside, where we spent most of our time, was not sheltered at all from the torrential rain and bitterly cold wind. We were in good rain gear but most people were not.
The food was good, especially due to the large numbers, but was cold as it took so long to find a seat!
All in a very disappointing trip and not worth the money.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-08 15:16:17

Posted By : Andre_F
The trip was well-organised, starting and finishing on time. Our bus driver/tour guide, Russel, demonstrated his superb expertise by blending great driving and comprehensive local knowledge, with subtle humour and wit. The Milford Sound cruise and buffet lunch continued along this vein, making the trip a wonderful experience. While the overall coach conditions were satisfactory, more seat cushioning would improve comfort levels, given the extended times of the return trip. Well Done.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-07 06:30:39

Posted By : Brian_C
Bus driver Greg was informative and entertaining. Cruise was fantastic even though the weather wasn't great
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-05 14:31:18

Posted By : Stephen_C
Spectacular country. Well explained by the coach driver. Southern Adventures. The road and tunnel are spectacular. The ferry was stable enough even for my study stomach.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-04 23:21:56

Posted By : W_A
Unfortunately the tour operator does not take any sanitary measures to prevent pandemic infection spreads. During the 2+ hour bus piece of the tour, a couple sitting next to us was sneezing, coughing and with runny noses. We reported this to the driver as well as the office crew but they didn’t care at all.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-29 15:52:46