Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Embark on a stress-free Milford Sound adventure from Te Anau. We'll do the driving as you relax in our premium coaches, designed for unbeatable views of the Milford Road. Your friendly driver shares stories of the area's history and unique ecology, with well-timed stops to snap photos of the views.
At Milford Sound, step onto a purpose-built catamaran for a Nature Cruise. Enjoy free tea and coffee, pre-order a picnic lunch, or try the To Kai buffet available on selected departures. Download our free app to hear the commentary in eight languages.
Get close to waterfalls and towering cliffs and watch for wildlife like fur seals, dolphins and the Fiordland crested penguin. An easy round-trip transfer from Te Anau and the perfect way to experience the majesty of Milford Sound.
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Southern Discoveries Te Anau
This is the location of where the Southern Discoveries check in is located, for your special day trip into Milford Sound with the original Milford Sound operators!
Te Anau
Te Anau is a beautiful town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Your day trip will depart from here.
Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
Freshly made Lunch
Available on the App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
Return transport from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a modern and spacious coach with excellent viewing
FREE Multilingual App for Coach and Cruise
Milford Sound Nature Cruise of up to 2 hours
FREE tea and coffee onboard the cruise
View waterfalls and wildlife from the cruise
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.
10:00am Departure with Buffet
11:30am Departure with Picnic
9:30am Departure with Picnic
140 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Julie D,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
The bus drive was very picturesque and our couch driver Vaughan was knowledgeable and friendly from start to finish of our tour. The boat cruise was spectacular. Overall the tour was well worth it.
Selina F,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
The bus had a glass roof so you could appreciate all the trees and waterfalls on the drive. Our driver had great information. The boat cruise was amazing and buffet was shockingly good!
Barbara M,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
Great experience. Beautiful scenery. The bus driver was very knowledgeable and made great stops along
JulieCampbell C,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
The boat was very crowded which made it really hard to see the surroundings. People were crowded around the railings for the view so clear photos were hard to obtain. The bus ride to the cruise was great. Comfortable, and the stops were at interesting and scenic places. Our driver, Michael, was knowledgeable and entertaining.
Jane C,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
An excellent trip from the start to finish- friendly staff at the check in, our excellent and informative driver Yoda, great captain and boat staff plus lovely food and of course the magnificent scenery of Milford Sound. A perfect day!
Vivienne M,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
Great trip..brilliant driver..showed and pointed out all the sights. Also very prompt. and excellent driver. Lovely bus
Phaedra H,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Amazing trip very well organised for such a long bus journey from Queenstown to Te Anua then to Milford Sound, if your lucky enough to have Shale as your bus driver be prepared for some good and bad dad jokes yet full of interesting knowledge of the areas on the drive, with good stops along the way also Ellie our guide was interesting great company on the drive, good team, so helpful for myself with my mum with bad knees. We were very lucky with the front seat so for us we had the best seat on the bus. Easy accessibility for my mum near the door. They both made the journey enjoyable and fly by.



Rowena J,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
We had an amazing day, the bus tour, the boat tour, the food, it was all extremely well organised. Vaughan our tour guide was awesome, very knowledge and funny, and certainly knows how to drive a bus. Thank you Vaughan
Susanne v,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
Fantastic to have seen and friendly staff. Nice stops in between with good explanations about everything you see.
Dick S,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
Amazing scenery, very knowledgeable & informative commentary from Vaughan with very safe driving on the comfortable bus & very clear & precise instructions when disembarking & enlightening.
Operated by Southern Discoveries