Milford Sound Trips during the day
- With Milford Sound Trips, you can discover the gorgeous Eglinton Valley, one of just a few glacier valleys in New Zealand that are accessible by road, as you travel along Lake Te Anau's shoreline and Fiordland National Park.
- From the luxury of your glass-roofed bus, take in the panoramic vistas of its ancient woods and cascading waterfalls.
- Mirror Lakes, where the nearby mountain ranges are wonderfully mirrored in the motionless waters on a clear day.
- You will reach Milford Sound after traveling through the 1.2 km long Homer Tunnel; a tube carved out of solid rock.
- Drive in comfort across the southern countryside after leaving Queenstown and along Lake Wakatipu's coast until you reach Lake Te Anau which is the largest lake on the South Island.
- Around the lake, make your way to Fiordland National Park.
- Visit the beautiful Elinton Valley as it is also accessible by road
- At the Milford Sound Trips, you will get to travel on the Milford Road that provides views like the stunning Mirror Lakes, where on a clear day, the surrounding mountain ranges are perfectly mirrored in the motionless waters.
- As you reach the Main Divide of the Southern Alps, you will get breathtaking views of the Dramatic skyline and other spectacular mountain peaks.
- Enter Milford Sound by passing through the 1.2 km long Homer Tunnel carved out of the solid rock beneath the mountains.
- Enjoy a memorable Milford Sound trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound on the exclusive excursion.
- Your guide will share their local region knowledge and customize stops to suit your needs. A 2-hour nature Milford Sound trip is included.
- Discover Marian Cascade, Gunn Camp, and the Chasm on this excursion with short guided walks.
- Visit New Zealand to see the incredible wildlife there, including Keas, Seals, Dolphins, and the Fiordland Crested penguin.
Milford Sound Trips by Cruise
- With three levels of indoor and outdoor seats, exceptional glass roofs, and spacious viewing decks, you can get the greatest views of the stunning fiord.
- As you take in one of the world's most breathtaking locations, your crew will greet you on board.
- Enjoy the cozy booth seating with its chic décor and soft lighting.
- Live outside video is broadcast from high-definition cameras onto TVs throughout the vessels.
- Enjoy the cascading waterfalls in New Zealand.
- Watch out for playful dolphins and try to spot the elusive and endangered Fiordland Crested Penguin.
- Discover why Captain Cook could not find Milford Sound by traveling the length of the fiord and out into the Tasman Sea.
- Take a stroll in a rainforest or a dolphin and waterfall-filled ride around Milford Sound. Take a boat tour of the area's natural beauties or a ride in a plush, heated luxury bus.
- Sit back and unwind as you travel to Milford Sound in your opulent coach from Te Anau. A 5-minute boardwalk through a rainforest, a stop at the mirror lakes, and other picture possibilities are all included.
- Your driver will give you your boat permit and point you in the direction of your cruise boat as soon as you arrive in Milford Sound.
- On Milford Sound, the boat nudged close to the foot of the waterfalls. The Milford sound is renowned for its waterfalls, which become even more impressive when it rains.
- Enjoy the breathtaking landscape as the skipper brings you as near as possible to the wildlife so you can take some amazing pictures. While seals lounge on the rocks, dolphin pods frequently accompany the boats.
- The voyage will take you to where the fiord touches the open sea.
- Take a scenic, small boat tour to see Milford Sound up close while avoiding the crowds.
- On a two-hour cruise, unwind while enjoying several stops at breathtaking sightseeing spots.
- Get closer to waterfalls and animals with a smaller boat for fantastic photo possibilities.
- Your local skipper will provide you with interactive and educational insight.
- On board, complimentary tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are offered to keep you warm.
Milford Sound Tour Combo Packages
- A nature cruise on Milford Sound trips takes you out to the Tasman Sea and the whole length of the sound. Choose the right journey for you because they all have unique focuses and tour various areas of the sound.
- Milford Sound tour will take you through the history, geology, and fauna of New Zealand's most giant artificial lagoon. You will also be dropped off at an underwater observatory where you may observe rare black coral from the interior of a floating observatory.
- With a limit of 8 kayaks on each tour, this is an intimate experience. No prior kayaking expertise is essential, and we even have an automatic lift for simple kayak access and departure.
- On this two-day excursion, enjoy the natural glory of the place as you take in the sights from the air and the water.
- Take advantage of the pickup and transfer to the Queenstown air hangar. During the 40-minute flight, take in the breathtaking vistas of lakes, mountains, and waterfalls while listening to the English educational commentary.
- Travel to the Tasman Sea's mouth while seeing waterfalls and aquatic wildlife. Join Milford Sound and spend two hours on a small boat with your captain, providing English commentary and complimentary tea and coffee.
- Enjoy a complimentary transfer back to your accommodation following the 40-minute trip back to Queenstown. As you take in the breathtaking sights of Fiordland National Park, change your course from your departure flight
- From a great height and on the water, explore the magnificent fjord of Milford Sound. Look for penguins, seals, and dolphins! Fly across breathtaking rivers, valleys, and mountains with blue-green ice fall. In the center of Fiordland National Park, experience the landing of a glacier or mountain.
- You can even fly above movie sets! The pilots frequently work with film crews and are eager to share their on-site experiences.
- Local pilots are eager to show you the wonders of New Zealand's breathtaking beauty while imparting their considerable knowledge and history of the region.
- Enjoy the splendor of Milford Sound Tour on one of the fiord's most prolonged afternoon excursions.
- Visit the Underwater Observatory to immerse yourself in a strange underwater realm during the Milford Sound tour.
- Your captain will provide entertaining and educational commentary on the fjord's geology, history, and animals.
- Onboard, you will have a great picnic lunch, or you can bring your own.
- Stand beneath Stirling Falls and sample the fresh, clean glacier water that flows from the waterfalls.
- Discover the fascinating wildlife of one of the South Island's most beautiful sites. Get complimentary tea and coffee onboard and pre-order a picnic meal when booking.
- Say hi to the local seals as you pass them and take in the skipper's exciting discussion on the area from the open wheelhouse.
- Reach out and touch the great granite walls that glaciers sculpted thousands of years ago and experience Stirling Falls' full fury, a 15,000-year-old natural wonder.
- Fly over spectacular attractions of the surrounding area, such as the Coronet Peak ski field and Skippers Canyon.
- Enjoy sweeping vistas of the Shotover River, the second-richest gold-bearing river in the world.
- As you fly through the Dart River Valley towards Mount Aspiring National Park, view the glistening Lake Wakatipu below.
- Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as you soar through snow-capped mountains, the Olivine Ice Plateau, Mount Tutoko, and the Tutoko Glacier.
- Before descending into Milford Sound, take in the stunning views of Fiordland National Park, the rocky West Coast, and the Tasman Sea.
- As you are joined by your pilot for another fantastic flight back to Queenstown via a World Heritage-listed area, take in the breathtaking scenery.
Know Before You Visit Milford Sound
- Location: Milford Sound is located in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand's southwest South Island. A UNESCO World Heritage site called Te Wahipounamu includes the park. Milford Sound is the crown gem of Fiordland National Park, a hidden treasure awaiting discovery.
- Best time to visit: If you want to travel to New Zealand between December and February, you should book your trip and lodging well in advance, as this is often peak hiking season.
- Milford Sound Temperature: The typical summertime temperature ranges from 18 to 20 C (64 to 68 F), occasionally reaching a high of 27 C (80F) from December to February
How to Reach:
- By Road: Beautiful scenery, including mountain ranges, glacier-carved valleys, pure blue lakes, and native rainforests, is seen along the route to Milford Sound. It follows a route initially taken by the Māori people, who crossed the mountains to Milford Sound on foot as early as 1,000 years ago to engage in hunting, fishing, and pounamu-seeking activities.- By Air: The history of the national park and its features, such as Miter Peak, Stirling Falls, and Sutherland Falls, are widely discussed during guided fly excursions. Fiordland Helicopters is the primary helicopter company operating out of Te Anau and Milford.- By Bus & Coach: Every morning, Intercity departs from Queenstown and Te Anau with buses that arrive at their destination by midday. Those on a modest budget also offer a few different travel-pass alternatives. Among the region's most well-known bus tour providers are GreatSights, Gray Line, and awesomeNZ.- By Car: The distance between Queenstown and Milford Sound is roughly 288 kilometers (179 miles), and it takes three and a half hours to drive there. Te Anau is closer; it takes around two hours to go the 121 kilometers (75.2 mi) there. The optimal time to leave is very early (about 6 am) or late in the day.
Milford Sound has a Māori name, Piopiotahi, which means "single thrush," after the extinct piopio bird. This name is associated with a Māori tale in which the fictional hero Maui is claimed to have traveled to Hawaiki with a thrush. When Maui was crushed between the legs of Hine-nui-te-po (the goddess of death) to gain immortality for humanity, the bird flew south in sadness, giving the sound its name.Early European settlers did not cruise Milford Sound because they were unaware of the stunning area beyond its confined entrance. It is so well concealed that renowned explorer Captain Cook twice missed the fiord's entry!
FAQs for Milford Sound Tour
What are the best things to do in Milford Sound?
- Day Tours
- Cruises
- Scenic Flights
- Milford Track
- Day Walks
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Observatory
- Sailing
- Stay Overnight
Why visit Milford Sound?
Travelers can witness the most spectacular waterfalls on earth at Milford Sound. Even closer encounters with them are possible when traveling by boat. The steep mountain slopes covered in hundreds of transient waterfalls on a rainy day are genuinely stunning.
What animals can one find in Milford Sounds?
- Dolphins
- Penguins
- Seals
- Whales
- Native Birds
Which is the best way to get to Milford Sound?
Light aircraft and helicopters that go to Milford Sound land at Milford Sound Airport and take off from Queenstown, Glenorchy, or Te Anau. Getting to the Milford Cruise Terminal and your fjord cruise from the airport takes about 20 minutes of pleasant walking.
Is the Milford Sound really worth it?
Absolutely. You should visit Milford Sound as you will have a wonderful experience watching mountains and rivers and various animals. We advise you to visit Milford Sound if you're on the South Island and aren't sure whether you want to or not.
What will you see on a Milford Sound cruise?
There are various things to see at the Milford Sound cruise such as Lady Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, Miter Peak, Fairy Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, Stirling Falls, Seal Rock, The Tasman Sea and The Lion.