Milford Sound
48 hours in Queenstown & Milford Sound
Queenstown is a place that invites you to squeeze the most out of every moment. With its alpine energy, world-class food and wine, and easy access to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes, it’s the ideal base for a short, adventure-filled getaway. Pair it with Milford Sound, and you have a two-day itinerary that delivers adventure, scenery and the kind of experiences that stay with you long after you’ve left.
If you’re looking to find the best Milford Sound and Queenstown activities to do in two days, here are our top picks.
Day One: A taste of Queenstown
Start your epic 48 hours with a classic Queenstown warmup; an early lakefront walk, a run along the Frankton Track or a morning coffee. Queenstown cafés take their coffee seriously, so you won’t be disappointed. Some of our favourites for great location include The Bathhouse, Vudu Café & Larder and Patagonia Chocolates.
Once exercise and coffee are ticked off, it’s time for the highlight of your Queenstown experience, a Southern Discoveries Queenstown Wine Tour. This is an effortless way to explore Central Otago’s celebrated wine country. The region may be best known for its pinot noir, but the beauty of this tour lies in the variety. Four cellar door visits give you the opportunity to taste rosé, whites, aromatics, and small batch wines that tell the story of the land so well.
Still not sure? Have a read of this NZ Herald article where the writer falls in love with every winery stop along the way.
At each winery, your cellar door host provides an exclusive tasting, sharing the stories of the region, the challenges of growing grapes in an alpine climate, and the craft behind each pour. Your guide will deliver you back to your accommodation in the late afternoon, so you may have time to squeeze in an activity before dinner. Queenstown’s famous jet boats, ziplining, and short scenic hikes are all a perfect way to get a dose of adrenaline the town is famous for.
Wrap up the day with dinner in Queenstown. Here you’ll find something to suit every taste. From relaxed lakefront restaurants and lively pubs to elegant fine dining and a range of cuisine types.
Day Two: The journey to Milford Sound
Day two is Milford Sound day and an NZ must-do, a Milford Sound Cruise. Your day begins with an early start (part of the magic). Getting to Milford Sound can be done as a self-drive option or as part of a Southern Discoveries Cruise & Coach option.
The road to Milford Sound takes you through landscapes that constantly change from sparkling deep lakes, mirror calm wetlands, beech forests, and cliffs carved by ancient ice. The journey is dotted with places worth pausing for: the charm of Kingston on Lake Wakatipu or Te Anau on Lake Te Anau. Along the Milford Sound road, enjoy a short walk to Mirror Lakes and the dramatic entrance to the Homer Tunnel.
By the time you descend into Milford Sound, the sheer scale of the mountains and forest makes it clear you’re stepping into one of the country’s most powerful landscapes.
At the cruise terminal in Milford Sound, board your Southern Discoveries vessel and settle in as the fiord reveals itself. Waterfalls spill down sheer granite faces, seals sunbathe on rocky ledges, and Mitre Peak rises from sea level. Whether the weather is bright or brooding, Milford Sound never looks the same twice. On clear days, the reflections are glassy and expansive; on wet days, hundreds of temporary waterfalls appear, turning the cliffs into a curtain of silver.
Your skipper brings you close to the action: Stirling Falls, Bowen Falls, alongside towering peaks, and out towards the Tasman Sea, where the scale of the fiord becomes clear. With spacious viewing decks and warm indoor lounges, you’re free to move between vantage points and take it all in.
After your cruise, you may want to stay the night in Te Anau and explore this charming lakefront township or make the journey back to Queenstown.
Two days you’ll never forget
Two days spent in Queenstown and Milford Sound offer a perfect contrast: the bright, lively character of Queenstown (and its wine scene) and the ancient wilderness of Milford Sound.
Find out more about Queenstown activities and Milford Sound activities here.
See more latest news
