Top Fiordland & Milford Sound How to Get Around

Travel from Queenstown to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Milford Sound on an easy day trip. Enjoy live commentary along the way, and many scenic photo stops. At Milford Sound, don’t worry about waiting in lines as tickets are included. Admire views of waterfalls and Mitre Peak from your cruise. Refuel with a tasty picnic lunch in a scenic location. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from listed locations for added convenience.

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Milford Sound is an icon of New Zealand’s South Island—a dramatic fjord ringed by jagged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. This cruise checks off all the highlights, affording spectacular views of Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, and Mt. Pembroke, passing mighty Mitre Peak, and gliding out along the Tasman Sea coast. It starts and ends at Milford Sound itself so the rest of your day is free.

Take in amazing views of the magnificent Milford Sound on this cruise. Sail on the only vessel in Milford with two glass roofs, meaning you get stunning views from every angle. The skipper and crew are available to share local knowledge or take photos of you and your friends/family. An onboard café-bar is also available, offering the chance to purchase tasty snacks and drinks.

Instead of glimpsing snippets of extraordinary beauty from the Milford Road, travelers in the know enjoy the entire landscape in context on this cruise of Milford Sound. Turn your attention across the horizon to see glacier-carved cliffs rising from the inky waters below to frame up the perfect shot to preserve the moment. Opt for a shorter "classic" cruise, with multilingual commentary via app, or the longer "signature" cruise with live commentary.

A Milford Sound cruise is a must-do activity in southern New Zealand, but getting there independently can be stressful because of the rugged mountain roads. This full-day tour from Te Anau includes a hotel pickup and picnic lunch, so you don’t need to pack your own. Watch the views rather than the road by going with a guide and driver. See many spectacular sights along the way, including Mirror Lakes.

Go beyond the typical Milford Sound cruise with this package that includes delicious canapés crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Gaze out at the tall mountains, lush rainforests, and crashing waterfalls on a boutique vessel with hot drinks and expert commentary. Plus, keep an eye out for the local wildlife from the spacious decks.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain scenery without having to self-drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown in a glass-roofed coach. Your driver will provide commentary along the way, to keep you informed. At Milford Sound, embark on a cruise on the water, all the way out to the Tasman Sea. Relax and take in the views as you enjoy lunch on board, too.

Take a break and escape into nature on this tour of Milford Sound in the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Relax as you visit one of New Zealand’s notable Fjords, taking in the waterfalls at Mirror Lake and the fresh glacier water at Monkey Walk. Then, take to the water itself with a boat cruise on Milford Sound. Perfect for travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the South Island’s landscape.

Board the ‘Milford Mariner’ for a Milford Sound overnight cruise along this pristine waterway, situated in New Zealand’s impressive Fiordland National Park. Cruise the entire length of the fiord before your captain anchors in Harrison Cove. Then, spend the night in a private single or twin-share en suite cabin, including a 3-course buffet dinner and breakfast. Listen to a nature guide on board and make use of provided kayaks to explore waterfalls and glacial-carved cliffs like Mitre Peak.

Enjoy chef-prepared cuisine while taking in the breathtaking landscapes and local wildlife of Milford Sound. With a boutique atmosphere the Fiordland Jewel was designed specifically to take in the stunning scenery and offers comfortable lounges, seated dining, and full sea views from our main saloon or outdoor areas Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch while onboard - all dietary requirements are catered for. Please advise us of your dietaries in advance for our chef's preparation. Complimentary tea & coffee is available. Our knowledgeable crew will share stories and point out wildlife such as seals, penguins, and dolphins that we may encounter as we cruise the length of the fiord. Check in at the Fiordland Discovery desk inside the Milford Sound main visitor terminal building at 12:00pm. Boarding the boat at 12:15pm for a 12:30pm departure from the wharf. Return to the wharf at 2:30pm.

This track walk takes visitors on one of the world’s most famous walks. This walk only 3-4 hours return, so ideal for visitors staying at Milford Sound Lounge or on a day trip in the Milford Sound. It takes visitors to the Giant Gate Falls, a highlight of the track.

Get a comprehensive tour of Milford Sound with this combination coach tour and boat cruise from Te Anau. Avoid the hassle of self-driving along the mountainous Milford Road by going with a guide and group in a low-emission vehicle. Stop for photo ops and short walks en route. Then, transfer to a boat for a scenic cruise on Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch and unlimited coffee and tea on the water.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take a Milford Sound cruise while visiting UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Departing from Milford Wharf, this spacious boat cruises past Mitre Peak and gets close to numerous waterfalls cascading down steep-walled mountains rising out of the water. See Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls, and Seal Point while searching the deep fiord for marine life, including bottlenose dolphins and New Zealand fur seals.

Enjoy the peace and beauty of Milford Sound after all the day-trippers have departed when you stay overnight on the Fiordland Jewel cruise boat. During the day, explore the sound on cruises and kayaking excursions. Sleep in an ensuite cabin with sea views, a 3-course dinner, and breakfast. The boat is also equipped with a top-deck hot tub where you can soak away your stress.

Admire the natural wonder that is Milford Sound on a nature cruise that lets you soak up the scenery from the water. Glide past granite walls, glacier-fed waterfalls, and stunning Mitre Peak on a spacious catamaran to avoid the crowds. Enjoy great photo ops of this famous South Island attraction situated within Fiordland National Park, and be on the lookout for Fiordland crested penguins and bottlenose dolphins.

Milford Sound is a must-visit destination, but many people only experience it on the surface level with rushed cruises. This extended cruise gives more in-depth commentary and the chance to spot rare penguins, dolphins, and other wildlife. The on-board nature guide answers your questions, and a multilingual guide app is available for further commentary. Get up-close views of waterfalls—especially impressive on rainy days—and warm up with provided hot drinks.

Make your Milford Sound Nature Cruise even more unforgettable with the exclusive Captain's VIP Lounge. Travel on a spectacular Nature Cruise of up to two hours, travelling through of Milford Sound towards the Tasman Sea. With commentary by the skipper, this cruise gets you up close to towering waterfalls, sheer cliff faces, and local wildlife such as seals, dolphins, and penguins. The Captain's VIP Lounge includes access to an outdoor viewing deck and a premium food and beverage package. For those seeking comfort, exclusivity, and unbeatable scenery, this is the ultimate way to experience Milford Sound. Located on the top deck, the Captain's VIP Lounge offers elevated views, a calm retreat from the main vessel, and personalised service throughout your experience. Enjoy priority boarding before settling into a private lounge reserved for a maximum of 20 guests, ensuring a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Climb out from Milford and up past Harrison's Cove, see the Pembroke Glacier, alpine lakes and sheer cliffs dwarf the surrounding rivers before approaching the Tutoko Glacier for a snow landing. Take a few minutes to capture photo's on the snow before boarding the helicopter again to fly past the glaciated tops of Mt Tutoko, the highest peak in Fiordland national park at 2723m. Track via the lower Tutoko valley and return to Milford airport.

Experience two of Fiordland's most iconic attractions in a single, unforgettable day. If you select the 9.00am departure: Start with a self-guided walk on the world-famous Milford Track. The gentle 11-km walk to Giant's Gate Falls and back lets you experience the track's magic without committing to the full hike. Then join our premium Nature Cruise on a spacious catamaran, purpose-built to get you closer to stunning waterfalls, wildlife, and cliff faces. Our expert onboard commentary, available in eight languages via a free app, shares captivating stories about the area's natural history and wildlife. Walk first with the 9am departure OR Cruise first with the 10.30am departure - both options offer a perfect blend of adventure and comfort in one of New Zealand's most spectacular locations. Experience the majesty of Milford Sound in two unique ways, all in one day.

Soak in panoramic views of New Zealand's South Island with a scenic flight to Queenstown from the Milford Sound. Soar over Fiordland National Park, the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu, and Sutherland Falls, then touch down at Queenstown airport, where a driver is waiting to take you to your hotel.

Take in the magnificent scenery of Milford Sound from above on this scenic helicopter flight. See the magnificent Mitre Peak, dramatic Sutherland Falls and Tutuko Glacier, as well as amazing views of the whole area. Weather permitting, also undertake a snow landing on top of a mountain. This is an unforgettable way to experience one of New Zealand’s top attractions.

Depart Milford Airport and track west along Milford Sound, climb alongside Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak for some great views of the sound and its towering peaks before returning to our Milford base. A minimum of four passengers are required for this flight to go ahead. We are able to group passengers together if you are booking for less than 2 people. We will be in contact once you have confirmed your booking.

Once airborne from Milford Sound, follow the famous Milford Track up the Arthur Valley and over the picturesque Lake Ada. Circle the Sutherland Falls, New Zealand's highest at 581m before making an alpine landing above the shores of breath taking Lake Quill. You will have the opportunity to take magical photos looking right down the Arthur Valley back towards Milford Sound. Return viewing the Mackinnon Pass, of the Milford Walking Track, and the Joe's river. Minimum of four passengers are required for this flight to go ahead. We are able to group passengers together if you are booking for less than 2 people. We will be in contact once you have confirmed your booking.