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Te Anau

Coach, Cruise & Heli Flight

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from $1409.00

Travel the World-Famous Milford Road

Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Fly Home to Te Anau by Helicopter

Travel the World-Famous Milford Road

Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Fly Home to Te Anau by Helicopter

About

Make your Milford Sound day a full circle: travel the world-famous Milford Road by coach, cruise the fiord, then fly home to Te Anau by helicopter with our partners at Te Anau Helicopters. Road, water and sky in one unforgettable day, without retracing a single kilometre.

Your driver guide brings the Milford Road to life as you wind deeper into Fiordland National Park, with photo stops at highlights such as the Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes before descending through the Homer Tunnel to the fiord. On the water, cruise beneath towering granite cliffs and waterfalls, keeping watch for fur seals and dolphins along the way. Then swap the road for the sky: your return flight with Te Anau Helicopters lifts you over the very peaks you've just cruised beneath, crossing the valleys and forests of Fiordland before touching down at Te Anau Airport, a bird's-eye finale to the day, and a completely different perspective on everything you've seen.

6-hour experience departing from Te Anau
Travel the Milford Road by coach with commentary and photo stops through Fiordland National Park
Includes Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Scenic helicopter flight back to Te Anau with Te Anau Helicopters
No backtracking — see the Milford Road once, then see Fiordland from above
In-flight commentary from your knowledgeable local pilot via two-way headsets
Get up close to waterfalls and sheer rock faces from the water
Includes FREE tea and coffee onboard your vessel
Licenced bar on board
Picnic lunch or To Kai available for purchase

from $1409.00

Up to 6 hrs

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Depart Te Anau by coach and journey deeper into Fiordland National Park

Stop for photos along the Milford Road before descending through the Homer Tunnel

Cruise out to the Tasman sea

Board your helicopter at Milford Sound for the flight home

Soar over Fiordland's peaks and valleys before landing back at Te Anau

Map

Cruise

Lunch

"To Kai" Buffet Lunch

"To Kai" means Your Food. Enjoy a Kiwi-style buffet featuring hot and cold dishes and fresh salads, all prepared on board by our chefs using the best local produce.

Picnic Lunch

Our freshly prepared picnic lunches include a sandwich, snacks, fruit and sweet treats, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. Drinks are not included to help reduce single-use plastics, so please remember to bring your reusable water bottle.

Transport

from Te Anau

Coach, Cruise & Heli from Te Anau

Check in at the Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Centre for your coach pick up. At the end of your cruise, you'll transfer to the Milford Sound helipad for your return flight to Te Anau Airport with Te Anau Helicopters.

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"Spectacular "

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

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Introductory Offer - Small Group Travel & Discover More Cruise

Be among the first to try Small Group Travel. Reach Milford Sound from Queenstown or Te Anau in a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter, just 12 guests, then settle in for our Discover More Cruise - the longest, most immersive cruise on the fiord. Enjoy $10 off per adult. Book by 31 October 2026, travel any future date.

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Introductory Offer - Small Group Travel & Captain's VIP Cruise

Introducing Small Group Travel, fully hosted. Travel to Milford Sound from Queenstown or Te Anau in a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter, just 12 guests, then settle into the private Captain's VIP Lounge - priority boarding, a private viewing deck and all-inclusive food and drinks. Enjoy $10 off per adult. Book by 31 October 2026, travel any future date.

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Christmas Party Wine Tour Charters

Discover Gibbston Valley, Queenstown style. From 14 November to 20 December, our private charters visit three boutique wineries for tastings across 15+ wines, plus a pizza and platter lunch, no driving required. Six hours, door to door from Queenstown, so your team can relax and unwind. The perfect end-of-year celebration.

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FAQ

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

The drive takes around 2.5 hours from Te Anau to Milford Sound. Allowing extra time ensures you can stop at key viewpoints along the way.

What will I see from the helicopter?

The flight path takes in Lake Te Anau, the peaks of the Southern Alps and the glacier-carved valleys of Fiordland National Park on the way to Milford Sound. On the return leg you'll cross the Main Divide, flying over remote beech forest with views of Lake Manapouri before landing back in Te Anau.

What is included in the Coach Cruise Heli experience from Te Anau?

This experience includes a coach journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound along the Milford Road, a Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries, and a scenic helicopter flight back to Te Anau with Te Anau Helicopters.

How long does the experience take?

6 hours — including the coach journey through Fiordland National Park, your cruise on the fiord, and the helicopter flight back to Te Anau.

Where does the coach depart from?

The coach picks up from the Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Centre in the Te Anau town centre, on the lakefront. Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

What can I expect on the coach journey to Milford Sound?

The Milford Road is one of the world's great alpine drives. Your driver guide shares commentary as you travel through the Eglinton Valley, with photo stops at scenic highlights before passing through the Homer Tunnel and descending to Milford Sound.

What happens during the Milford Sound cruise?

You'll join a Southern Discoveries Nature Cruise, travelling the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea with views of sheer rock walls, waterfalls and resident wildlife including New Zealand fur seals and, if you're lucky, dolphins.

What will I see on the helicopter flight back to Te Anau?

Your flight with Te Anau Helicopters crosses the mountains and valleys of Fiordland National Park, giving you an aerial perspective on the landscapes you travelled through by road and water, with your pilot's commentary via two-way headsets the whole way.

Does the helicopter flight include a landing?

Yes this flight includes an alpine landing.

Are helicopter flights weather dependent?

Yes. Helicopter flights operate only in suitable weather conditions to ensure safety and visibility. If the helicopter cannot operate, alternative arrangements such as returning to Te Anau by coach or rescheduling may be offered.

Do children need a car seat on the coach journey to Milford Sound?

Yes. In accordance with New Zealand road laws, all infants and children aged under 7 years must travel in an approved child seat when travelling on a Southern Discoveries coach. Guests are required to supply their own child seat for the coach portion of the journey.

Is weight information required before flying?

Yes. Passenger weight information is required at the time of booking to ensure correct helicopter weight distribution and safety.

Can I book at short notice in summer?

We recommend booking ahead for December and January, when availability for last-minute bookings can be limited. Outside peak summer there is usually more flexibility.

How long is the full day from Te Anau?

Around 7 hrs 30 mins hours door to door, including the road journey, scenic stops and your 2 hour 15 minute cruise, with your evening back in Te Anau free.

What should I bring?

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.

Who operates the helicopter flight?

Your flight is with Te Anau Helicopters, Fiordland’s local helicopter operator, flying the route between Milford Sound and Te Anau. Their pilots know this corner of the national park the way our skippers know the fiord.

How long is the helicopter flight from Milford Sound to Te Anau?

Approximately 35-40 minutes, depending on the route and conditions on the day.

What happens if the helicopter can’t fly due to weather?

Helicopter flights are weather dependent. If conditions aren’t suitable for flying, you’ll return to Te Anau by road in the Mercedes Sprinter instead, the same comfortable journey you travelled in on.

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