Inclusions
Exclusions
Inclusions
Milford Track Guided Walk (if option selected)
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
Te Anau
Start your trip here; enjoy the views, grab a coffee, and get ready for the adventure ahead.
Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes
Hollyford Lookout
Homer Tunnel
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.
5
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
2 starting points available
1. Te Anau
If you've opted for round-trip transfers from Te Anau, sit back and relax on the scenic route on the comfortable coach to Milford Sound.
2. Queenstown
118 km
1 hour 44 minutes
1
Milford Sound
150 min
10 attractions
Cruise the full length of Milford Sound on the MV Sinbad. With breathtaking scenery and expert nature guides, experience waterfalls, wildlife, and fascinating local history—all with fresh canapés.
Nearby things to do
2
2 ending points available
1. Te Anau
2. Queenstown
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.
11
Queenstown
Inclusions
Minibus
Cruise
These are the sights you can look out for during the cruise:
Why choose this experience?
Recommended experiences:
Why choose this experience?
Recommended experiences:
Why choose this experience?
Recommended experiences:
All Milford Sound cruises more or less 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. So, sit on your left for closer views of animals on land and of the waterfalls too.
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)
Milford Sound makes for a wonderful visit at any time of the year, except for winter when it gets quite cold on the fiord.
Summer (13 to 15°C) has warm weather, plenty of daylight, frequent showers and floating mist at Milford Sound. However, it also brings the most tourists and afternoon cruises can get extremely crowded.
Spring (Sep - Nov) and Autumn (Mar to May) are also great times to take a Milford Sound cruise, especially if you prefer lesser crowds. Spring brings clear skies and lush waterfalls and fewer showers compared to the summer, but is known to be an unpredictable season. Autumn has far lesser crowds with more affordable cruise options and pleasant enough weather.
Best time to visit Milford Sound
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. These have quick coffee, toilet and photo stops too!
Depending on your tour, you will either be picked up near a prominent landmark in either Queenstown or Te Anau, or you can mention the name of your accommodation while booking your tickets to get hotel transfers.
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.
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.
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 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 the best time of day for a Milford Sound cruise to avoid 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 to Milford Sound 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 tour 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, service dogs are generally allowed onboard. However, it's recommended to confirm specific policies with your cruise provider while booking.
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 of your cruise 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.
