Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Tour from Te Anau
Overview
Available languages
7 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join talented and knowledgeable guides on a journey along one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. All guides have unique and insightful stories to share, and spill the secrets of their beautiful backyard as you travel through lush rainforest, glacier carved valleys, alpine lookouts and much more. Enjoy spectacular short walks and incredible photo stops before arriving at the main event, magical Milford Sound.
On arrival at Milford Sound, board a spacious catamaran exploration of the region’s most famous fiord. As the boat travels the length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, the welcoming crew will share what they know about their place, its wildlife, waterfalls, and fascinating history.
Enjoy complimentary lunch before joining the crew for a dance in the spray off pure glacial melt as the boat noses close to Stirling Falls for a refreshing finale!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please ensure that a car seat or suitable restraint is brought for all passengers 4 years and under travelling on our coach to ensure their safety and safety of others
Piopiotahi Milford Sound is a place of exceptional natural beauty, carved by glaciers and surrounded by towering peaks and lush rainforest. As part of Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s most remote and rugged region, this incredible environment also brings with it a range of natural hazards. While our team takes every measure to operate safely and keep you informed, it’s important that you are aware of potential risks so you can be prepared and confident during your visit. A full Natural Hazard & Risk Register can be found on the Pure Milford website.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Milford Sound Cruise
Coffee and/or Tea
What To Expect
Kiwi Country
The Queenstown coach makes a scheduled stop at Kiwi Country, Te Anau before beginning the exploration of the Fiordland National Park, and it is here that you will meet your driver.
Fiordland National Park
Embark on a stunning tour through the National Park to Milford Sound; where the journey is just as spectacular as the destination! Enjoy insightful and anecdotal storytelling from our experienced driver guides as they share the secrets of their beautiful back yard. Take advantage of the plentiful stops along the way for incredible photo ops and short nature walks through the heart of Fiordland at iconic points such as Elginton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat and Monkey Creek.
Options
Early Coach & Cruise ex TeAnau
Coach & Cruise Day Tour: Enjoy an informative and uncrowded exploration of Fiordland before the lunchtime rush!
Duration: 8 hours: The tour duration is 7.5 - 8 hours including photo stops in the National Park, and 1 hour 45 minute cruise at Milford Sound.
Lunch: Picnic lunch is included on board the cruise. Options include chicken, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.
Air Conditioned Tour Coach
Later Coach &Cruise ex Te Anau
Coach & Cruise Day Tour: Allow the crowds to rush ahead, and enjoy an informative and uncrowded exploration of Piopiotahi/Milford Sound.
Duration: 8 hours: The tour duration is 7.5 - 8 hours including photo stops in the National Park, and 1 hour 45 minute cruise at Milford Sound.
Lunch: Picnic lunch is included on board the cruise. Options include chicken, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.
Air Conditioned Tour Coach
Coach & Cruise Tour from Te Anau
Coach & Cruise Day Tour: Enjoy an all inclusive day tour to Milford Sound, including two hour cruise with lunch.
Duration: 8 hours: The tour duration is 7.5 - 8 hours including photo stops in the National Park, and two hour cruise at Milford Sound.
Lunch: Picnic lunch is included on board the cruise. Options include chicken, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.
Glass Roof Coach & Catamaran: Enjoy a seamless journey from glass roof coach to glass roof catamaran to make the most of the stunning scenery!
Reviews
57 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Actual cost more than advertised and not transparent on booking
jennylD8563NO,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a marvellous day. Spectacular scenery. The only disappointment was it cost so much more than advertised. it was advertised as approx 130 pp which meant 260 all up. It was a shock to see from my bank statement that it actually cost 480. (OVER $200 MORE!) I am a NZer and yet I was paying in US dollars. It was an awesome day but I did feel let down by the cost that was not at all clear at the time of booking. I am on a limited budget and would have looked at aalternatives if I had known the true cost.
Great experience
ashleyhavig,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience, big coach and stress free from self driving. Brian the driver is extremely experienced and knowledgeable, keeping the trip smooth and efficient, plenty of stops to enjoy the wonder of nature. The cruise was lovely, Milford Sound is amazing, really enjoyed the experience, many thanks.
HIghly recommend.
Alan S,
Jun 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful drive. Plenty of stops for picture taking. Restroom breaks were adequate. Milford sound was just gorgeous. On the boat/cruiser, you can stay warm inside or let the cool, cool breeze sway you. Plenty of history and information given. Lunch was good, but if you are a big eater, bring snacks. I would do it again, and our guide was funny and kind and informatieve!
Brilliant cruise, but coach tour was infuriating.
ryans2912015,
Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Amazing cruise. The driver was so nice. Unfortunately, the coach tour was dreadful and put a real dampener on the day. My wife & I were forced up to squash up with other passengers in the back seats. There were 5 of us squashed up together at the back of the bus. That is so wrong, considering it's a long journey. We are paying customers, and these tours are expensive. We have a right to be comfortable during the long journey, considering how much we paid. The 5 passengers who were forced to squash up at the back were all very angry about this. No paying customer wants to be squashed up in the back seats for a long journey. This is not an acceptable way to treat your paying customers. These 5 passengers (including my wife & myself) who were forced to squash up in the back seats paid exactly the same amount of money as all of the other passengers who were given much more comfortable seats. Here's a simple solution. Sell less tickets per coach tour, so that no passenger ever has to sit in those back seats. Don't try to maximise profit by filling up every seat (including those undesirable seats). This is only going to piss off your customers. A lot of passengers were also not happy about the bus being overly crowded.
If you in the Queenstown area you need to see this.
dcarmich61,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver was knowledgeable, cordial, and prompt. It was rainy and overcast and we hoped it would cancel. Turns out, the rain feeds the numerous waterfalls, the clouds give contrast and the rain is so normal that we should not have given it another thought. Great day.
Awesome
marikad582,
Feb 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An unforgettable experience . Amazingly beautiful sites . The cruise was fantastic and our captain gave a great informative commentary interspersed with a touch of humour. Lunch was really lovely- yummy pie and loved our surprise picnic lunch bag. However, the trip home on the bus was scary and uncomfortable with our driver driving very fast and aggressively.
Excellent day trip
jandrs,
Feb 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent day trip all round. Comfortable coach, good stops en route with excellent commentary from our driver Scarlet. Great staff on boat and very nice lunch provided.
Fantastic
stephenbW9932KO,
Feb 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spectacular views and great comentry from bus driver and boat and even saw dolphins and seals plus a great lunch a must for everyone
Breathtaking views. Milford is a MUST! You will not regret it!
keziai2019,
Feb 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Milford sound is a must if travelling to NZ! Honestly, the scenery is breathtaking. The coach driver was great, stopping at all the sights and photo ops along the way to Milford. The cruise was amazing! Lots of photo opportunities onboard and the staff happy to assist. Food provided onboard was tasty. Make sure to pack sunscreen and insect repellent. This was the second time I have done the Milford cruise and I would do again! Highly recommend!
Great way to tour Milford sound
Roving663924,
Feb 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Competent driver Great commentary on the outward journey and well timed stops We joined the coach at 8.30am as advised and were a bit disappointed to be told on meeting the driver that the coach was stopping there for 30 minutes and would set off at 9.05. Otherwise a great day and excellent value
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Operated by Pure Milford