Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch
Overview
Available languages
12 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The best way to experience Milford Sound from Queenstown. We take care of the driving while you sit back and enjoy the stunning views from our premium coaches with panoramic windows, glass roofs, and USB charging ports. Your friendly driver shares stories about the area's history and unique ecology, with well-timed stops to snap photos of the amazing views. Our free multi-lingual commentary app is available on both the Coach and Cruise in eight languages.
Arrive in Milford Sound feeling refreshed and ready to cruise the fiord. Get ready for unobstructed views of thundering waterfalls and the towering cliff faces. Our premium Nature Cruise comes with options to pre-order a picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departures.
This trip takes care of all the transportation, including round-trip travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound and a seamless connection to your cruise. All you have to do is enjoy the experience.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
Appropriate child restraints are NOT provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared.
Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
6.30am Coach pick-up from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre (if you selected the 6.30am tour option) 7.00am Coach pick-up from Southern Discoveries Visitor Centre (if you selected the 7.00am tour option) • Travel on a premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning •USB charging ports and onboard toilet • Experienced, local coach drivers provide engaging and informative commentary, and show you the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road • Coach connects with our Milford Sound Cruise • FREE tea and coffee
Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. It's from here you will set off on a day trip with Milford Sound's original Cruise operator, Southern Discoveries, from Queenstown into Milford Sound to enjoy a beautiful experience of Milford Sound on a premium, low-emission coach with a delicious & freshly cooked international style buffet onboard your cruise. Discover the native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains of the fiords in Milford Sound.
What‘s Included
Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
Return transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium glass-roof coach
USB charging ports on board coach
Milford Sound Nature Cruise of up to 2 hours
FREE tea and coffee onboard the cruise
Spot diverse wildlife while on the cruise
Freshly prepared Lunch
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.
Options
7:00am Departure with Buffet
7:00am Departure with Buffet
8:30am Departure with Picnic
8:30am Departure with Picnic
6:30am Departure with Picnic
6:30am Departure with Picnic
Reviews
571 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Be prepared
Sharon B,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00If it’s sunny - the coach gets HOT! Make sure you have layers. It’s a LONG time each way, so I decided to fly back to Queenstown. Due to time pressure and the amount of other travelers, our driver didn’t stop at the advertised locations - this was very disappointing. Didn’t see the Mirror Lakes or the Kea at Monkey Creek - part of the reason I booked with this company. The Milford Sound boat experience was excellent including the included buffet lunch.
. Would recommend everyone👍.
Mustafa G,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00MS comes with spectacular views and amazing nature! I would recommend everybody who comes to New Zealand South Island👍👏🙏.
Shout out to Yoda was a...
Taylor I,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Shout out to Yoda was a great driver and guide! We made lots of great stops along the way! Thank you!
Queenstown to Milford Sound Coach and Boat tour of mountains and waterfalls, with buffet lunch and exploration.
Bernie B,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is full of breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and lush farmland. The driver was an encyclopedia of New Zealand trivia and kept us informed of the geology, flora and fauna as we traveled to and from the Sound.
Well organized day tour...
Anke B,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Well organized day tour with professional and nice tour guide; lunch buffet on boat was better than expected as some previous ratings were bad. Just need to keep in mind that overall time in the bus is about 10h.
Milford Sound - a once in a lifetime journey
Salena K,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a long day but worth it to see Milford Sound. It would not be a day trip we would drive ourselves; it’s a long and tiring drive. Props to our driver Fly, who kept us informed throughout the whole journey and drove so safely and comfortably. What a gem! The cruise was just the right length and we appreciated the buffet lunch on board.
Though the experience was...
Andrea S,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Though the experience was enjoyable, there was a challenge with the PA system in the bus. I know the guide provided interesting historical commentary and none of us could hear it. Things were quite confusing when instructions were given as my family had to find the guide to have him repeat the instructions.
Milford journey
n2cy5wvbny,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The journey is as good as the arrival. Scenery en route spectacular before you even get to Milford sound. Shayle our driver stopped at some amazing spots. I will say the buffet isn’t worth it. Bring a picnic or buy a sandwich on the way.
Good family experience to tick off the bucket list
Shane D,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice bus with the glass roof, the family really enjoyed the Woodstone farm experience on the way to Milford Sound. Driver Nick was really good with balancing the informative commentary and music.
Amazing
Rebecca S,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a breathtaking experience with fabulous views, scenery, food, and customer service. Would definitely do again
Related Experiences
Operated by Southern Discoveries