Milford Sound
Coach & Cruise

Many of our Milford Sound experiences include a picnic OR Buffet lunch on board the cruise. When booking, you will see which departures include lunch and which do not. You can also bring your own lunch if you prefer.

All coach departures offer pick-up from most main accommodation providers. When you book online, select pick up from your accommodation, and indicate where you would like to be picked up from. Or simply make your way to our Queenstown Visitors Centre or Te Anau Info Centre.

You need to indicate your pick-up point when booking your coach online. If you do not indicate a pickup location, we will expect you to board at the Queenstown Visitor Centre or the Te Anau Visitor Centre. The coach will depart from our Visitor Centres at the time indicated. You need to be there 15 minutes before departure to collect your Boarding Passes. If you need to change your pick-up option, please call Reservations on 0800 264 536.

There are many parking options within 200 metres of the Queenstown Visitor Centre at St Omers Wharf, but no parking outside the Queenstown Visitor Centre. If your accommodation is in the town centre it is a very pleasant walk to the Queenstown Visitor Centre located on the waterfront at St Omers Wharf. If you have selected Queenstown Visitor Centre as your pick up location and you would like to change it, you can do this by calling or emailing our reservations team.

A full day tour from Queenstown typically takes around 12.5 to 13 hours, including return travel, photo stops, and a 1.75–2.5 hour cruise.

Yes, you can view how the weather and day looks. Check out our webcam here.

A full-day Milford Sound tour from Queenstown typically lasts between 12 and 13 hours. This includes the scenic drive through Fiordland, photo stops along the way, and a 1 hour 45 minute cruise on the fiord.

Yes. Milford Sound day tours depart from Te Anau daily and include commentary, scenic stops, and a nature cruise. These shorter departures suit travellers who prefer reduced travel time compared with Queenstown.

It can depend on traffic and road conditions, but we aim to stop at Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, or Monkey Creek. If coming from Queenstown there will also be a break in Te Anau at a café or similar.

The coach will return to Te Anau at approx. 5:30pm

The coach will return to Queenstown at approx. 7:30pm.

In accordance with New Zealand Law, all infants and children aged under 7 years must be correctly secured in an approved child seat while travelling in any Southern Discoveries coach. If you need to hire an approved child seat, we recommend you contact Tots on Tour on +64 3 442 0409.

All of our Queenstown to Milford Sound day trips are suitable for children.

It’s a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket, warm clothing and to wear comfortable shoes for your Milford Sound day trip. We also have ponchos available for purchase so you can enjoy a glacial facial under Stirling Falls.

Our day trip includes premium coach travel through Fiordland’s scenic landscapes, multiple photo stops and short walks, and a boat cruise (either the Nature Cruise or Discover More Cruise).

This tour is known for its unmatched alpine scenery, wildlife encounters, and eco-friendly coach travel. Our glass-roof coaches and knowledgeable drivers make the trip as memorable as the cruise itself.

Yes, day trips from Te Anau are available daily. These shorter, scenic journeys offer a more relaxed travel time and are ideal for visitors based in Fiordland. Our Milford Sound tour from Te Anau includes coach pickup, informative commentary, and your choice of boat cruise. The journey from Te Anau takes approximately 2.5 hours with scenic stops along the way.

Absolutely. Our day trips are some of the most popular in New Zealand and include luxury coach transport, cruise options, and combo experiences like farm tours or scenic flights.

Visitors to Milford Sound should be aware of various natural hazards when going to Milford Sound. Aotearoa New Zealand Powerful natural forces have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand over millions of years. Earthquakes and volcanoes lifted these beautiful islands out of the Pacific Ocean. They have created the dramatic landscapes we enjoy today. Natural hazards are part of life here. Around 20,000 earthquakes are recorded each year. Most are small and go unnoticed, but larger events can cause damage. Understanding the hazards and how to stay safe is an important part of planning your visit. Piopiotahi Milford Sound Dramatic and ever-changing, Piopiotahi Milford Sound is one of the world’s most spectacular and special environments. Its steep, glacier-carved mountains and deep fiord have been shaped by powerful geological forces over millions of years. The area is exposed to risk from a range of natural hazards. These can occur at any time, and some can happen without warning. Of all the hazards, large earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis pose the greatest risk to people at Piopiotahi Milford Sound. It is extremely unlikely that one will happen during your visit, especially for a short stay. However, there is a risk and the longer you spend there, the higher it becomes. Once you are there, your safety options are limited and it is important you understand the risks, before you go. Earthquakes at Piopiotahi Milford Sound Like the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand, small earthquakes occur regularly in Fiordland. We don’t feel them and they don’t bother us. These small movements are a normal part of how the land works and do not pose a risk to people. Sometimes, earthquakes in or near Fiordland are felt at Piopiotahi Milford Sound. They might shake objects on a shelf or rattle a window, but they do not cause major impacts or disrupt your visit. Occasionally, a stronger earthquake can trigger avalanches, rockfall or landslides. These can cause debris to fall onto roads, jetties and tracks, and may disrupt your travel plans if you happen to be nearby. Large earthquakes are rare, and extremely unlikely to happen during a short visit. But they will happen again. The Alpine Fault runs almost the entire length of the South Island and crosses the entrance to Piopiotahi Milford Sound. It can generate earthquakes of magnitude 8 or greater, occurring on average every 300 years. There is a 75% chance of this happening in the next 50 years (find out more at af8.org.nz). An earthquake of this size would almost certainly affect the narrow waterway and surrounding area. What to do in an earthquake: DROP, COVER and HOLD until shaking stops. Most injuries from earthquakes happen when you try and move during the shaking. The lower to the ground/floor you are, the less likely you are to be injured. Follow staff instructions and/or move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible. For more detailed information, please visit Emergency Management Southland or AF8.

The Captain's VIP Lounge is Southern Discoveries' exclusive Milford Sound experience. Southern Discoveries is the only Milford Sound operator with a private onboard room and viewing deck. Guests receive priority boarding, dedicated hosting and access to private onboard spaces, with all-inclusive hot and cold dishes and a range of beverages served throughout the cruise, while still being free to move around the vessel.

Dress in warm layers and bring a waterproof jacket, Fiordland’s weather can change quickly, and the fiord is at its most dramatic in the rain. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the scenic stops, and don’t forget your camera.