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Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch

641 Reviews 4.74 out of 5 stars Based on 641 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 95% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

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On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.

12 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Offered in: English
and 5 more
French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese

Overview

The best way to experience Milford Sound from Queenstown. We take care of the driving while you sit back and enjoy the stunning views from our premium coaches with panoramic windows, glass roofs, and USB charging ports. Your friendly driver shares stories about the area's history and unique ecology, with well-timed stops to snap photos of the amazing views. Our free multi-lingual commentary app is available on both the Coach and Cruise in eight languages.

Arrive in Milford Sound feeling refreshed and ready to cruise the fiord. Get ready for unobstructed views of thundering waterfalls and the towering cliff faces. Our premium Nature Cruise comes with options to pre-order a picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departures.

This trip takes care of all the transportation, including round-trip travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound and a seamless connection to your cruise. All you have to do is enjoy the experience.

What's Included

  • Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
  • Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
  • Return transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium glass-roof coach
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

110 Beach Street
Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Southern Discoveries - Queenstown Visitor Centre (pass by)

6.30am Coach pick-up from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre (if you selected the 6.30am tour option)7.00am Coach pick-up from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre (if you selected the 7.00am tour option)• Travel on a premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning •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 Cruise • FREE tea and coffee
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Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. It's from here you will set off on a day trip with Milford Sound's original Cruise operator, Southern Discoveries, from Queenstown into Milford Sound to enjoy a beautiful experience of Milford Sound on a premium, low-emission coach with a delicious & freshly cooked international style buffet onboard your cruise. Discover the native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains of the fiords in Milford Sound.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lake Gunn (pass by)

Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
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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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cleddau River (pass by)

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.
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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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Homer Tunnel (pass by)

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.
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The Chasm Walk

Should weather and time permit, enjoy a short walk here as a part of your Milford Sound day trip with Southern Discoveries. Dramatic views of a rock chasm and waterfalls formed by the rushing waters of the Cleddau River. This is an easy walk along a well maintained trail and is approximately 20 minutes in length.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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. Southern Discoveries cruises are the best way to explore.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Mitre Peak (pass by)

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.
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Bowen Falls (pass by)

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.
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Sinbad Gully (pass by)

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.
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Stirling Falls (pass by)

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.
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Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre

Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
  • Appropriate child restraints are NOT provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared.
  • Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.

Frequently Asked Questions

(8)

Q: Will I get seasick on Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-3960P16

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.74
641 reviews

Average 4.74 out of 5 stars based on 641 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
519
4 stars
89
3 stars
24
2 stars
5
1 star
4

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
  • Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
  • Return transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium glass-roof coach
  • USB charging ports on board coach
  • Milford Sound Nature Cruise of up to 2 hours
  • FREE tea and coffee onboard the cruise
  • Spot diverse wildlife while on the cruise
  • Freshly prepared Lunch
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
  • Appropriate child restraints are NOT provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared.
  • Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 96 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

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