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Day Trips

Coach & Nature Cruise

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from $229.00

Departs Queenstown and Te Anau daily

A Milford Sound adventure you’ll never forget

Short walks and photo stops on the Milford Road

Departs Queenstown and Te Anau daily

A Milford Sound adventure you’ll never forget

Short walks and photo stops on the Milford Road

About

Take a guided adventure to Milford Sound with a friendly team offering 70 years of local knowledge.

Cruise on a modern, spacious vessel with unobstructed views through full-height windows
Get incredibly close to waterfalls and wildlife
Includes FREE tea and coffee and licensed bar onboard
Modern, spacious coach with plenty of legroom
Our local coach drivers provide you with entertaining and informative commentary in English
Choose to add a delicious fresh picnic lunch or our famous To Kai Buffet
Departures from Queenstown and Te Anau
Gift vouchers are available for our Milford Sound Coach & Nature Cruise. Buy now if you don't know your travel date and you don't want to miss out!
Download the Southern Discoveries app for multilingual commentary for our coach and 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 $229.00

Depart Queenstown up to 12hrs 30mins, Depart Te Anau up to 7hrs

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Nature cruise getting close to Stirling Falls in Milford Sound

Stop at Mirror Lakes and enjoy perfect reflections

Our premium coach provides multi-lingual headset commentary

If you are lucky you can get to see dolphins swimming close to the vessel in Milford Sound

Driving through the Cleddau Valley towards Milford Sound

Map

Coach

Cruise

Lunch

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.

Picnic Lunch

Our picnic lunches are freshly prepared daily and include:

Sandwich with selected meat and salad for standard option, Salami, Cheese & crackers, Seasonal fresh fruit, Crisps, Cookie & a small Chocolate bar. (Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten-free available)

Please note we do not include a drink with your packed lunch as we are trying to reduce the use of singe use plastic so please remember to take your water bottle with you.

Transport

from Queenstown
from Te Anau

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 + return scenic flight

Jump on an early morning coach trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Return by scenic flight enjoying amazing views of the mountains and valleys of the Southern Alps and Fiordland National Park.

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Coach + return scenic heli

Depart Queenstown by coach; enjoy the sights and photo stops on the road to Milford Sound. Return by helicopter flight experiencing spectacular views across the Southern Alps.

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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

Does the coach & cruise day trip from Queenstown include lunch?

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.

How do we get picked up for our coach trip to Milford Sound?

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.

Can I book a coach trip and add a pick-up point later?

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.

We’re getting picked up from your visitor centre in Queenstown. Is there parking?

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.

How long is the Milford Sound day tour from Queenstown?

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.

Do you have a webcam in Milford Sound?

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

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.

Where does the coach stop on the way to Milford Sound?

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.

What time does the coach get back to Te Anau?

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

What time does the coach get back to Queenstown?

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

Do I need a child seat for my child on the coach?

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.

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.

Which tour is best for kids?

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

What should I bring on my Milford Sound tour from Queenstown?

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.

What does a Queenstown to Milford Sound day trip include?

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).

What makes the Queenstown to Milford Sound tour special?

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.

Can I book a Milford Sound tour from Te Anau?

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.

Are there day trips from Queenstown to Milford Sound?

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.

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