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Day Trips

Coach, Farm Tour & Milford Sound Nature Cruise

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from $315.00

Authentic farm experience

Discover Fiordland beyond Milford Sound

Premium coach journey—enjoy the scenery

Authentic farm experience

Discover Fiordland beyond Milford Sound

Premium coach journey—enjoy the scenery

About

A relaxing Fiordland experience with an authentic farm tour in Te Anau, a Milford Sound Nature Cruise, and return coach travel. Leave the car behind—sit back, soak in spectacular scenery, and discover the people and places of one of NZ's most famous destinations.

Comfortable return coach transport from Queenstown or Te Anau—sit back, relax, and leave the driving to us
Total tour activities duration: approximately 13 hours from Queenstown or 9 hours from Te Anau (one-hour farm tour + two-hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise, plus coach journey times)
Glass-roof premium coach featuring spacious seating, glass-roof, driver commentary, USB charging ports, and WiFi
Farm tour in Te Anau includes sheep shearing, dog herding demonstration, friendly farm animals, and delicious Kiwi morning tea
Meet and chat with passionate locals, learning first-hand about life on a working New Zealand farm
Milford Sound Nature Cruise— get incredibly close to the fiord's most famous sites, like Stirling Falls
Spacious cabins offer unobstructed views through full-height windows in interior cabins and open outdoor decks
An experienced, passionate skipper providing entertaining commentary
Chance to see Fiordland's marine wildlife, including seals lazing on rocks, dolphins playing nearby, or even the rare local penguins
Complimentary tea and coffee onboard Milford Sound cruise
Download the free Southern Discoveries app for multilingual commentary on our cruise experiences
Southern Discoveries Ltd wishes to notify our customers about the natural risks and hazards prevalent in Milford Sound, the remote location where our operations are situated. Detailed information of these risks and hazards can be found here.

from $315.00

Depart Queenstown up to 13hrs 30mins, Depart Te Anau up to 9hrs

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Premium Coach Travel Through World-Famous Scenic Routes

Feed the Alpacas, sheep, goats and George, the pig

Extended Journey Through Nature's Masterpiece

Wildlife Spotting In Their Protected Natural Habitat

Enjoy a light morning tea at the Farm Shed

Map

Lunch

Picnic Lunch

Prepared fresh daily and showcasing a selection of New Zealand products. Choose between a regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free picnic option.

To Kai Buffet

The food is as good as the views! We offer a choice of lunch from our onboard galley; either a full "To Kai" Buffet, or a Picnic Lunch.

To Kai means "Your Food".
Our Kiwi-style buffet lunch includes a selection of delicious hot and cold dishes and salads freshly prepared on board by our chefs using local produce.

Transport

from Milford Sound
from Queenstown
from Te Anau

Self Drive

Make your own way to Milford Sound and enjoy the spectacular Milford road at your own pace. You will find car parking at two locations in Milford Sound within walking distance of the cruise terminal.

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Coach

Premium glass-roof coach departs early allowing you to arrive relaxed and ready for your Milford Sound cruise. Expert coach drivers provide time for photo stops and short walks along the Milford road journey.

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Coach

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"Just wow!"

Trip Advisor reviews

Excellent cruise and staff! Great Experience! Breathtaking Amazing trip along Milford Sound Best tourist experience ever! Awesome day on the water! Epic Adventure! Highlight of our holiday

FAQ

Do you provide disabled/wheelchair access?

The two vessels in Milford Sound with wheelchair access are the 'Pride of Milford' and 'Spirit of Milford' where access to the vessel is by ramp. Disabled toilet facilities are in the Visitor Terminal where all cruises depart from.

Where does the Milford Sound day cruise leave from?

Our nature cruise leaves from and returns to the wharf at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal.

Do all boat trips take the same route?

Every cruise goes the full length of the fiord - subject to weather. Cruises stop in different places but each trip visits the major sights of interest including Stirling Falls and Harrison Cove.

Do you operate on Christmas Day?

All day trips from Queenstown and Te Anau operate on different schedules. Please refer to the individual trip for dates and times. Most Queenstown to Milford Sound experiences operate on Christmas day, but are subject to schedule updates and weather.

Will I see wildlife?

Milford Sound has an abundance of wildlife and is home to New Zealand fur seals and bottlenose dolphins year-round. Rare Dusky dolphins are known to visit the fiord and the world’s rarest penguin, the Fiordland Crested Penguin/Tawaki visits Milford during breeding season (August - November) and moulting season (March/April). While there is wildlife here, we can’t guarantee sightings as these are wild animals in their natural habitat.

What cruise is best for wildlife viewing?

Every cruise provides the opportunity to view wildlife, but we cannot guarantee sightings. Our Nature Cruise includes plenty of stops for viewing the amazing geology and occasional wildlife, our skipper and friendly boat hosts will be sure to point out any wildlife.

Do your lunches have vegetarian options?

Yes, picnic lunches can be ordered as vegetarian or vegan. You can select this when booking online.

Which cruise is best for kids?

All cruises are suitable for children.

Do you provide disabled/wheelchair access?

We have two vessels in Milford Sound with wheelchair access which are the 'Pride of Milford' and 'Spirit of Milford' where access to the vessel is by ramp. Disabled toilet facilities are in the Visitor Terminal where all cruises depart from.

Will the cruise go ahead if the weather is bad?

Our operations team assesses the weather and conditions for every cruise departure to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests. If weather or other events could impact on the safety and comfort of our guests, then the cruise could be postponed, or in some unusual and infrequent circumstances, the cruise could be cancelled.

What’s the difference between the cruises?

We provide some of the best Milford Sound cruise deals in New Zealand. To compare our day trips, check out our Cruise Comparison table, where you can see our range of cruises and the vessels.

What should I bring on my boat cruise?

Due to the changeable nature of the weather, it’s a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket, warm clothing and to wear comfortable shoes. We also have ponchos available for purchase so you can enjoy a glacial facial under Stirling Falls.

Is there parking in Milford Sound?

Yes, there is paid car parking at the Milford Sound public car park. We advise getting there early as the car park does fill quickly in summer months.

Do you have a webcam in Milford Sound?

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

How long does it take to drive from Queenstown to a Milford Sound cruise?

It typically takes around 5 hours to drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Please allow extra time for road works and the Homer Tunnel traffic lights.

How long does it take to drive to a Milford Sound cruise from Te Anau?

We advise to allow 2.5 hours to drive from Te Anau to a Milford Sound cruise. There are various scenic stops along the way so we recommend allowing plenty of time.

Where is your desk?

Inside the Visitor Terminal. Once inside turn right and you will see the Southern Discoveries front desk.

What is included in the buffet lunch?

Our To Kai lunch includes a range of meats, salads and seasonal vegetables with hot and cold options available. We can cater to most dietary requirements - please note this on your booking. All our meat is certified halal.

What is included in the picnic lunch?

The picnic lunch includes a sandwich with chicken and salad, cheese and crackers, seasonal fresh fruit, crisps, a cookie and a small chocolate bar. We can cater to most dietary requirements – please note this on your booking.

Can I get a refund for my booking?

We have a 24-hour cancellation and amendment policy, so as long as you notify us more than 24 hours before departure we can amend your booking to another day or cancel for a refund.

What weather can I expect in Fiordland?

Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in the world, with an impressive annual rainfall of around 7 metres. During peak rains, up to 250 millimeters can fall within 24 hours, creating countless temporary waterfalls that spill dramatically down the cliffs, some reaching heights of up to a thousand meters, along with many permanent waterfalls. This abundance of rain is what makes the waterfalls and lush rainforest here so spectacular. Temperatures vary by season, with summer (Dec – Feb) averaging highs of 19°C (66°F) and winter (Jun – Aug) averaging around 9°C (48°F). Our vessels offer spacious indoor areas with comfortable seating, allowing you to enjoy the scenery in any weather.

More FAQ's

Get in touch

in New Zealand

0800 264 536

Overseas

+64 3 441 1137

reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz