Milford Sound Tour from Te Anau

On this full-day Milford Sound Tour from Te Anau with cruise, learn about one of the highlights of New Zealand's breathtaking South Island. From Te Anau, take the Milford Road and take in the expansive vistas of the stunning scenery. Take a leisurely boat ride through the fjord and out to the Tasman Sea while taking in the views of towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. After that, pick from a number of nearby guided hikes or go on an independent climb along the Routeburn Great Walk to Key Summit.

On the best small group trip for seeing woods and bush hikes, take in the breathtaking Milford Sound vistas. Enjoy a great BBQ buffet lunch prepared in the style of New Zealand while taking a boat tour to see waterfalls, seals, and dolphins. To unwind and commune with nature, take a leisurely stroll through the lovely Beech Forest. Learn about Milford Sound's historical significance to New Zealand with your family on this Milford Sound Tour from Te Anau.

Your journey begins at the picturesque town of Te Anau, and after maybe getting to see some of the local wildlife or animals, we continue down the lake. You can stop at Te Anau Downs, which serves as the Milford Track's beginning, to learn the legends and take in the scenery. We pause in Eglinton Valley before leaving Te Anau and reaching Fiordland National Park. One of the popular highlights as you enter the park is this valley, which follows the course of an old glacier passing through Fiordland and has views fit for Lord of the Rings. It effectively sets the stage for a voyage that becomes increasingly spectacular as you go deeper.

The "Milford Mariner," "Milford Sinbad," or "Milford Wanderer" will take you on a Milford Sound trip to the Tasman Sea as you pass past the iconic Miter Peak and float close to tumbling waterfalls in search of wildlife including dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and Fiordland-crested penguins. An onboard naturalist offers knowledgeable commentary.

Southern New Zealand's Milford Sound cruise is a must-do excursion. On thisMilford Sound Tour from Te Anau that includes a picnic lunch, make the most of your time. If you travel with a guide and driver, you may focus on the scenery rather than the road. Along the journey, you'll pass by the Homer Tunnel and the Mirror Lakes, two breathtaking views.

Beautiful Lake Te Anau Lions Lookout is a 5-minute detour from the main road out of Te Anau. This viewpoint provides a superb 360-degree view of the Southern Alps, Lake Te Anau, and the town of Te Anau on a clear day. It’s a brief stop that’s sure to impress and is rated one of the greatest things to do in Te Anau.

This short, 45-minute walk from Te Anau Downs takes you across native Fiordland woodland to the magnificent Lake Mistletoe, which is populated by local frogs, ducks, and other lake creatures. With a distance of just over 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) roundtrip, it's a stroll that the whole family can enjoy. This trek does not offer any breathtaking mountain views, but I included it since it is easily accessible and because the other walks on this list are significantly more difficult.

Once you enter Fiordland National Park, you'll witness that the landscape has changed to include rugged, high mountains and a valley with golden tussock grass. Similar to Milford Sound, the Eglinton Valley was also sculpted out by glaciers, and it can be daunting to imagine how much ice must have covered this area at one point.

One of the most prominent stops between Te Anau and Milford Sound is without a doubt Mirror Lakes. You can simply pull over here on the side of the road, and from there, it's about a 400-meter or 1,312 feet return walk to the surreal Mirror Lakes. The Earl Mountains will reflect beautifully on the quiet lake on a clear day, making for the ideal photo op.

The Lake Gunn Nature Walk is among the best quick hikes along the route from Te Anau to Milford Sound. You can get a taste of the wilderness of Fiordland National Park for such a brief walk which is a total of 45 minutes. Find stony beaches, moss-covered trees, and unusual birds. On a calm day, the lake also makes for stunning reflections.

At the southern side of the well-known Routeburn Track is the walk to Key Summit. This circuit is a popular favorite among visitors to Milford Sound because it combines rainforest with expansive alpine views. When you pass through forest to the top of the climb, 400 meters (1,312 feet) of gradual ascent will pay off with breathtaking vistas. Even closer to the top, a little tarn produces lovely reflections.

Without a question, the Lake Marian Track is the hike most people prefer to take between Te Anau and Milford Sound. To access the stunning series of waterfalls, which are even more impressive after a little rain, you must first cross a swing bridge after leaving the parking lot. After the falls, continue climbing for another 1.5 hours to reach the stunning Lake Marian, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the South Island.

The Hollyford Valley, which is a little further on the Milford Road from Lake Marian Track parking spot, is a very popular place to stop and fill up your water bottle. Since it is so pure, you can drink the glacier-fed spring water at Monkey Creek straight. You won't likely ever have a better or more energetic glass of water than this one.