Milford Sound Cruise: Stunning Views & Optional Picnic or Buffet
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Get closer to Milford Sound's natural wonders aboard our spacious, purpose-built catamarans. Enjoy more room to move around, with incredible views from our outdoor viewing decks or cosy interior cabins.
Get closer to the famous waterfalls and towering cliffs of Milford Sound, plus expert commentary sharing fascinating insights into the local wildlife and geological formations. Download our free app for commentary in eight languages.
Includes options to pre-order a freshly prepared picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departers. With 70+ years of expertise, we deliver unforgettable journeys in this breathtaking landscape and ensure a premium experience for all.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All passengers please advise country of origin at the time of booking
Car Parking: On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour. Please allow 10 minutes to walk from the main carpark to the Milford Wharf Visitor Centre. Alternatively, you can park free of charge at Deepwater Basin Carpark and walk over to Freshwater Basin to the Cruise Terminal. This walk is approximately 30 minutes in duration, so additional time will need to be allocated in order to do this comfortably and arrive at the terminal 15 minutes prior to your cruise for check-in.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Your journey starts here, check in with friendly staff at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park is in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for the glacier-carved fiords of Doubtful and Milford sounds. A beech forest trail on the sandy Milford shore offers views of towering Mitre Peak. Nearby, the craggy Earl Mountains are reflected in the glassy surface of Mirror Lakes. On the Cleddau River, the Chasm Walk passes over bridges with views of powerful waterfalls.
What‘s Included
Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
Lunch (if option selected)
Sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound for up to 2 hours
Live commentary provided by the skipper
FREE tea and coffee are provided to all passengers
Hotel pickup and drop-off
On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour.
Options
11.15am Nature Cruise only
1hr 45min Nature Cruise
10.30am Nature Cruise only
Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 2 hours. Includes complimentary tea and coffee
3.15pm Nature Cruise only
Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 1 hour 45 mins with complimentary tea and coffee.
3.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
3.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
10.30am Nature Cruise & Picnic
2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with complimentary tea and coffee.
12.45pm Nature Cruise only
12.45pm Nature Cruise only
1.15pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
1:15pm Nature with Picnic: 2-hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.
1.15pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
1.15pm Nature with Buffet: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly made buffet onboard
1.30pm Nature Cruise only
1.30pm Nature Cruise only
11.15am Nature Cruise & Picnic
11.15am Nature with Picnic: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.
1.15pm Nature Cruise only
1:15pm Nature Cruise: 2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Complimentary Tea & Coffee.
3.15pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 1 hour 45 mins. Includes a freshly prepared Picnic Lunch and complimentary tea and coffee.
11.15am Nature Cruise & Buffet
11.15am Nature with Buffet: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly made buffet onboard
12:45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
12.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
3.45pm Nature Cruise only
3.45pm Nature Cruise only
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
Reviews
243 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Milford Sound/Fjord bus and boat
74jodiec,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip from Queenstown was long but seriously beautiful, with heaps of great stops along the way which made it even better. Our bus driver was a local and knew so much, he shared heaps of interesting info which really added to the experience. Milford Sound was absolutely stunning with a fresh dusting of snow on the peaks from the week prior, definitely the highlight. The buffet lunch on the boat was really good too, plenty of food and options. Passengers were given an upgrade option to fly back to Queenstown, but we stuck with the bus and were glad we did because the scenery the whole way is unreal. Would definitely recommend this trip, and the 1:15pm cruise worked perfectly for fitting in all the stops along the way. We went 23rd April 26.
Frustration
tbab2016,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I would recommend using a smaller company who doesn’t book such large tour parties. The tour party get preferential treatment, including boarding first to get to the buffet. Even though many of us were standing in a line before the party arrived, they were taken on board before everyone. I tried to walk to the front because that’s where I was standing before they arrived, but the skipper told me I was pushing in and not capable of waiting my turn. The tour group had reserved seating at the buffet and there was not enough room for the rest of us to comfortably sit down. Some couples had to sit apart. The food was ordinary, boiled rice, noodles, big bowl of leaves with a tiny sprinkling of feta, small dried out cubes of hard pork, very dry deep fried chicken winglets, steamed mussels were snapped up by the plate full without any consideration to those further back in the line who might want some. Desert was about 12 lamingtons cut into 1/4” pieces. I believe a smaller company would be more personal.
Lovely sight seeing
F5137ALwarrenb,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Lovely trip, a bit pricey for a family trip, but scenery was spectacular
Amazing Experience
Britney H,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible time. Our bus driver Shayle was entertaining and so knowledgeable. A++
Must do day trip
GrandTour42454294152,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well worth it! The entire experience was made so much better by bus driver Stan’s professionalism and commentary. You can tell he loves his job and is the best ambassador for the tour.
Awesome view
BrendaK00,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Milford Sound is a must-see—the scenery is absolutely amazing!
Long, but great
Passport434674,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The day was long but great. We got lucky, we had beautiful weather. Our driver and tour guide was Ivan and he was incredible. He kept us entertained with information and drove smoothly. The ride there was almost as good as the boat trip! Beautiful scenery, and stops, and plenty of bathroom breaks. Ivan kept us informed so we knew what to expect throughout the day. The ride back is a necessary evil (unless you opt for the helicopter!), but we just drifted in and out of sleep.
A magical experience with Southern Discoveries
luningningverab,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was the most magical experience ever and Southern Discoveries helped me achieve my dream! KEITH, the driver/guide was so accommodating and funny and knowledgeable. He was the best!
Nice gentle cruise in exceptionally beautiful setting.
I5059BXwilliamh,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nice gentle cruise in exceptionally beautiful setting.
Expensive and overcrowded but cool to see
Resort23802382640,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00It was pretty expensive, food was really bad, and WAY WAY WAY to crowded with rude and inconsiderate ppl. The bus ride there was super nice(fancy expensive interior with huge windows and sky lights so you could see everywhere), boat was average.
From NZ$165.00
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