Milford Sound Coach & Cruise from Queenstown: Panoramic Views
Overview
Available languages
12 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
A seamless journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, where stunning views are made even better by fascinating stories from your driver. Enjoy a premium coach journey with panoramic windows, glass roofs, and USB charging ports.
From Queenstown, journey along Lake Whakatipu and onto the Milford Road before meeting your cruise in Milford Sound.
Includes options to pre-order a picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departures. With 70+ years of expertise, we deliver unforgettable journeys and a premium experience for all. Download our free app to hear the commentary in eight languages.
With round-trip transport from Queenstown and an easy cruise connection, everything is sorted, so you can lose yourself in the wonder of Milford Sound.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
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‘s Included
Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
Milford Sound Nature Cruise for up to 2 hours
Cruise beneath the waterfalls of Milford Sound and look for native wildlife
FREE tea and coffee onboard the cruise
Return transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium coach
Freshly prepared Lunch
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.
What To Expect
• Travel on a premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning. Low emission and brand new fleet. • 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 Nature Cruise for a 1hr 45mins cruise of Milford Sound • Specialist nature guide on board provides entertaining and informative commentary • FREE tea and coffee
Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Renowned for adventure sports, it’s also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. Take in the sights as you head out of town and toward the incredible Fiordland.
Options
6:30am Departure with Picnic
6:30am Departure with Picnic
8:30am Departure with Picnic
8:30am Departure with Picnic
7:00am Departure with Buffet
7:00am Departure with Buffet
Reviews
425 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great trip to Milford Sound
David H,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great day trip (although a long day, well worth it). You have the opportunity (at extra cost) to fly back to Queenstown from Milford Sound by either fixed wing plane or helicopter, well worth it if a fine day. The driver, (Stan) was excellent with enough dialogue to make the trip fun to be on. Excellent organisation and logistics. Would do this trip again when next in NZ.
Incredible
Mena V,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00So worth the money & time. The coach bus was comfortable and we had great views of the fjords and valleys. Our driver was safe & very informative.
10/10 would recommend
Taylor B,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely incredible scenes on the cruise, truly feels like you’re on another planet. Our driver/guide Chris was fantastic, incredibly knowledgeable and very friendly.
Agency + Guide = 100% satisfaction
caroly941,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Seamless arrangement that made you worries free since booking till end of trip. Our guide Keith is experienced, thorough, professional and patience with different nationalities of passengers. Other than his sharing knowledge along the whole tour, what we value most is he always gives you heads up alert on up coming scenic point for photo takings and valuable tips on the cruise. I enjoyed the whole tour and the arrangement by southern discoveries.
Had 'no eye deer' I'd be this 'amoosed' lol
H7943EVsharont,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shayall (sorry if misspelled) is an amazing tour guide. From keeping my group together (cos we booked separately hehe) being well informed to all the jokes he slipped in here and there lol. It was an amazing experience overall and I have to say personally, the tour bus topped the cruise but both had amazing views nonetheless. Would 100% recommend and if you're in Shayall's group you'll be in for a treat! Thank you and thank you Southern Discoveries!
A must!
N8550OEjulief,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently toured Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries and it was an absolute pleasure. Our guide and driver, Shails (apologies if I’ve spelt that wrong!), was fantastic! his humour, stories, and knowledge made the long bus ride fly by. He really looked after us and kept the journey fun and engaging. Milford Sound itself is breathtaking, and seeing it with a company that makes the whole experience seamless only added to the magic. If you’re considering booking with Southern Discoveries, I highly recommend it, there was never a dull moment, and the whole trip felt so well taken care of.
Beautiful scenery and great tour guides
Inspiration764363,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip to Milford Sound was amazing! What a beautiful part of the world! The drive from Queenstown was so scenic with breath taking views. There was more spectacular scenery to enjoy on the cruise and we were lucky to see bottlenose dolphins, tiny Fiordland penguins and seals. Our trip was made even more special thanks to our friendly tour guides, Greg and Ellie. Also thanks to Stan who helped to sort out a problem at the beginning of the trip . A fantastic day trip. Thank you!
Milford Sound NZ
David A,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Greg our driver was fun and engaging with the passengers and had a wealth of local knowledge which he shared . The cruise was fantastic and the weather made it more enjoyable with lots of waterfalls and also high winds which added to the fun out in the open up top.
Great tour highly recommended
veij0p,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Overall a fantastic tour. Communication leading up was fantastic and Greg our driver on the day provided great commentary and was very professional. Unfortunately our boat ride at Milford Sound was cut short due to incoming bad weather but the company ensured we were able to maximise our time there.
12/10 recommend
AyeshaMay122,
Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was absolutely amazing, I’m so glad I went! I was traveling solo and felt totally comfortable and everyone was super friendly. Our tour guide was great and the trip was planned perfectly. Plenty of bathroom breaks and stops to break up the long drive. The cruise of the Milford sound was truly one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever done. I pre-purchased the picnic lunch and thought that was quite good and came with a lot of food (sandwich, crisps, cheese/crackers, apple, oatmeal cookies, and chocolate). Would recommend this tour to anyone!
From NZ$345.00
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Operated by Southern Discoveries