Be whisked to Milford Sound by comfortable glass-roof coach for a 2-hour nature cruise including a delicious picnic lunch. Enjoy the magnificent scenery, informative commentary, and photo stops before sailing close to the fiord's waterfalls on the cruise.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 12.5 hours
- Starting time 7:00 AM
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English
- Audio guide/headphones
- Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean
- Pickup optional
- Pick-up and drop off is available from selected central Queenstown hotels by prior arrangement. The local operator will confirm your pick-up details after booking. Note that your pick-up time may be different than the tour start time.
Experience
Itinerary
4 hours
Queenstown
- 2.5 hours
Te Anau (break)
- 45 minutes
Eglinton Valley (photo stop)
- 5 minutes
Mirror Lakes (photo stop)
- 1 hour
Milford Sound (boat cruise)
- 2 hours
Te Anau (break)
- 2 hours
Queenstown
Meeting point
Main stop
Other stop
Highlights
- Drive along the magnificent Milford Road by glass-roof coach
- Discover some of the best short walks and photo stops along the way
- Cruise beneath the waterfalls of Milford Sound and look for native wildlife
- Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch, freshly prepared by the on-board chefs
Full description
Take the hassle out of driving to Milford Sound and join a guided coach tour from Queenstown. Sit back, relax and enjoy magnificent scenery and informative commentary. Your experienced local coach driver will show you the best views along the Milford Road and connect you seamlessly with a 2-hour lunch cruise.
Journey in a spacious glass-roof coach with the creature comforts of free WiFi and USB charging ports. Marvel at the native rainforest, spectacular waterfalls and glacial lakes. Pause briefly in Te Anau before continuing along the spectacular alpine Milford Road. Admire incredible views at Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobbs Flat or Monkey Creek and pose for photos. Be wowed by the glacially-carved Milford Sound as you approach the visitor terminal. Seize your cruise and lunch passes from the driver who’ll help you find your cruise departure gate.
Climb aboard a purpose-built catamaran for a nature cruise along the fiord’s deep blue waters. Savour a freshly prepared picnic lunch. Marvel at the impressive natural landscape and keep a lookout for native wildlife like dolphins, seals and penguins. Be fascinated by live commentary from your specialist nature guide and join the skipper in the open wheelhouse. Get within touching distance of impressive glacially-carved rock walls and feel the full force of the powerful 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls on your face. Awed and satisfied, rejoin your driver for the scenic return journey to Queenstown.
Sample itinerary:
7:00 AM depart Queenstown (hotel pick-ups on way out of town)
9:30 AM arrive Te Anau for short café stop
10:00 AM depart Te Anau, there will be about three stops on the Milford Road (time permitting)
12:40 PM arrive Milford Sound Visitor Terminal
1:00 PM depart on 2-hour nature cruise
3:00 PM arrive Milford terminal and reboard coach
5:00 PM arrive Te Anau for short café stop
5:30 PM depart Te Anau
7:30 PM arrive Queenstown
Note timings are approximate and depend on traffic conditions.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected locations
- Transportation by glass-roof coach
- Wi-Fi and USB charging ports on coach
- English commentary
- 2-hour Milford Sound nature cruise
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee
COVID-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
- Customers must bring their own headphones
- Customers are required to bring and wear masks
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Queenstown Visitor Centre, 110 Beach Street, St Omers Wharf, Queenstown.
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
What to bring
- Warm clothing
Know before you go
- Headset commentary is available onboard the coach in Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French and German
- Always be prepared to enjoy some rainfall during your visit. The landscape is especially dramatic during wet weather as rainfall creates dozens of temporary waterfalls
- All vessels are fully licensed with a range of beverages plus a selection of snack foods. Note that smoking is not permitted on any of the vessels
- Reservations may be amended to another date or time, subject to space and availability
- It is an approximate 5-hour drive each way from Queenstown. Scenic flights are available on request for the return journey, weather permitting
- In the interest of your safety, the local operator may cancel the activity at any time due to unsafe weather conditions or maintenance
