Inclusions
Exclusions
Queenstown
Start your trip here; enjoy the views, grab a coffee, and get ready for the adventure ahead.
Wye Creek Track
Lake Te Anau Lion Lookout Point
1
Te Anau
Free Admission
Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Stretch your legs and explore as the coach stops here for a midway break.
Lake Mistletoe Walking Track
Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes
Lake Gunn
Hollyford Lookout
Lake Marian Track
Homer Tunnel
The Chasm
2
Milford Sound Terminal
Tickets included
The gateway to Milford Sound, where you can embark on a cruise to explore one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls.
12
Queenstown
Inclusions
Exclusions
Inclusions
Queenstown
Start your journey in the stunning city of Queenstown on a comfortable AC minibus where your guide will guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
1
Lake Wakatipu
Free Admission
Devils Staircase
2
Lake Te Anau
Free Admission
The largest lake in the South Island, Lake Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Meet some of the local animals or wildlife and then stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, to hear the stories and admire the views.
3
Eglinton Valley
Free Admission
Eglinton Valley is a stunning flat-floored valley surrounded by towering peaks. Its vibrant grasslands make it a perfect spot for a peaceful walk or a photo stop.
4
Mirror Lakes
Free Admission
A short walk from the highway, Mirror Lakes offers reflective views of the surrounding mountains. On calm days, the reflections are almost perfect, creating an optical illusion.
5
Lake Gunn
Free Admission
Hollyford River
6
Darran Mountains
Free Admission
The Darran Mountains are a rugged mountain range within Fiordland National Park, offering jaw-dropping vistas and a chance to click photos of some large, cheeky, and colourful birds.
Homer Tunnel
7
Milford Sound
Tickets included
Embark on a 2-hour cruise of Milford Sound, a breathtaking fjord known for the towering Mitre Peak rising sharply from its waters and the famous Pop's View Lookout that offers panoramic views of the Hollyford Valley and beyond.
Boat
11
Queenstown
Inclusions
Minibus
Cruise
These are the sights you can look out for during the cruise:
Te Anau
Start your trip here; enjoy the views, grab a coffee, and get ready for the adventure ahead.
Lake Mistletoe Walking Track
Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes
Lake Gunn
Hollyford Lookout
Lake Marian Track
Homer Tunnel
The Chasm
1
Milford Sound Terminal
Tickets included
The gateway to Milford Sound, where you can embark on a cruise to explore one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls.
9
Te Anau
Inclusions
Queenstown
Start your flight from Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, known for its stunning lake and mountain views.
Central Otago
Lake Wakatipu
Mt Aspiring National Park
Fiordland National Park
5
Queenstown
Inclusions
Exclusions
Inclusions
Milford Sound wharf: Milford Sound Visitor Centre (Terminal and Boat Harbour, 1 Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand. Find on Maps
At any time, multiple vessels are preparing and departing for their journey near the wharf. Follow the directions mentioned on your voucher to reach the exact boarding point location for your cruise.
All Milford Sound cruises mostly follow the same route - the boat goes along the left side of the fiord out towards the Tasman Sea. Once you’ve reached the open water or Anita Bay, the boat turns back to cruise along the right side of the fiord and then drops you back at the Milford Sound wharf.
Popular sights that will be covered on your cruise include Sinbad Gully, Mitre Peak, Cooper Point, Fairy Falls, Anita Bay, Dale Point, Seal Rock, Mt Kimberly, Cascade Range and Bowen Falls.
Catamarans: A catamaran is the best vessel to go on a Milford Sound cruise. It has two parallel hulls placed underneath the deck that help counter the rolling motion of the boat, making it more stable and comfortable. It can also better withstand cross winds and adverse weather conditions compared to other boat types.
You can choose between two popular catamarans for your cruise, the Maiden of Milford and the Gem of the Sound. Both the boats are fitted with multiple cameras that share live feed of what’s happening around the boat onto several displays placed. This way, you won’t miss a thing!
Maiden of Milford: This recently refurbished vessel has spacious indoor decks with comfortable seating. There is also a spacious outdoor deck that gives you unobstructed 360° views of the alpine peaks in the area.
Gem of the Sound: This is the only boat in the area that has a glass roof, allowing you to soak in the panoramic views while comfortably sitting indoors. There are also multiple indoor and outdoor decks to lend you the best views of the fiord.
For those with mobility issues: Some Milford Sound cruises are accessible by wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Inform your cruise operator beforehand to keep the main access areas close by.
Foldable wheelchairs are ideal: Some cruises, although wheelchair accessible, can only be accommodated if they can be folded.
Dietary restrictions and vegetarian meals: The meal included cruises provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. You can also request for special dietary accommodations like gluten-free food, allergies or vegan options.
Note: We suggest that you mention any special requests while booking your tickets to keep your cruise operator informed.
A standard Milford Sound cruise lasts about 2 hours. However, some premium cruises can last up to 3 hours to include more stops along the way.
Several operators offer Milford Sound cruises in multiple slots, some that begin as early as 8:45am. The last cruise departs at 3:30pm.
You’ll see a lot more cruises towards midday to accommodate tourists traveling from Queenstown or Te Anau.
Boarding time: The timings mentioned on your voucher is the departure time of your cruise. Arrive at least 15 minutes before this time to comfortably board your cruise and settle down before departure.
Peak season: Summer (Dec to Feb); Low season: Winter (Jun - Aug)
Summer brings warm weather and frequent showers at Milford Sound, but also brings the most tourists. Temperatures remain a comfortable 13 to 15°C, which is perfect for hikes. Waterfalls are also fuller and more spectacular at this time of year. However, February remains relatively dry, so drop by at this time if you’d rather avoid the rain. You’ll have to make your bookings a few weeks in advance to guarantee slots.
Autumn (Mar to May) and winter seasons are also great times to visit Milford Sound, especially if you want to avoid large crowds. Temperatures range between 6 to 12°C, which can seem quite cold on the fiord, so you’ll need to dress warmly. The skies are clearer with fewer sandflies to bother you on your cruise.
There is just one stay option available at Milford Sound, the Milford Sound Lodge. Some cruises offer an overnight stay on the boat itself, but they tend to be quite expensive. Due to this, a lot of travelers prefer to stay in nearby towns like Te Anau or Queenstown and travel to Milford Sound on day trips.
Although the roads to Milford Sound are well maintained, it has its challenges. During the winter, icy road conditions can get especially dangerous if you don’t have experience navigating them.
Instead, we highly recommend that you pick a day trip that offers comfortable return transfers to and from Te Anau or Queenstown. Most day trips have air conditioned coaches with expert drivers who will take care of the commute for you.
Milford Sound cruises begin at the wharf and take you along the left side of the fiord, covering important sights along the way. The boat turns around once you reach Anita Bay or Tasman Sea to cover the sights on the other side of the fiord.
Yes! Milford Sound cruises are perfect for families, offering plenty of opportunities to explore the natural beauty. There are kid-friendly amenities, and the shorter cruises make it easy for children to stay engaged.
Yes, service dogs are generally allowed onboard. However, it's recommended to confirm specific policies with your cruise provider while booking.
There is just one accommodation option at Milford Sound, the Milford Sound Lodge. However, several stay options are available at nearby towns in Te Anau and Queenstown and you can easily book a day trip from these towns to Milford Sound. We suggest that you make your hotel bookings in advance to ensure availability.
Milford Sound cruises are usually conducted on comfortable catamarans that remain quite stable even in rough waters. You can choose between 2 different catamarans, Maiden of Milford and Gem of the Sound.
Milford Sound cruises cover several points of interest along the fiord, including Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Bowen Falls, Lion Mountain, and wildlife such as fur seals basking on Seal Rock.
We suggest that you bring warm layers as it gets quite cold in the fiord. Along with this, get sunscreen, sturdy boots and any necessary medication you might need as there aren’t many pharmacies available nearby.
Early morning and late afternoon cruises are ideal for avoiding the crowds. The lighting is softer during these times, enhancing the fjord’s dramatic scenery.
Many cruises offer snacks and beverages for purchase onboard, and some premium options even provide lunch. Be sure to check your specific cruise for details.
You can drive from Te Anau or Queenstown or take a shuttle service that offers pick-up and drop-off options. We suggest that you get a day trip that includes transfers as the road conditions can get dangerous unless you have experience in navigating alpine roads.
Yes, your boat will have accessible restrooms onboard.
It's advisable to book your cruise at least a few weeks in advance, especially during the peak tourist season from December to February, to secure your preferred time slot.
Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, penguins, and occasionally whales on your Milford Sound cruise. You can also spot a few rare native birds in the area.
Yes, there is a designated parking area near the Milford Sound cruise terminals.
Yes, Milford Sound cruises operate throughout the year. However, extremely adverse weather conditions like heavy winds and thunderstorms may lead to rescheduling or cancellation of the cruise.
Many cruises offer accommodations for those with disabilities. However, we suggest that you check the accessibility services available and make any special requests while booking your tickets.
Most Milford Sound cruises accept both cash and card payments for onboard purchases, but it's advisable to bring some cash in the local currency just in case.