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 & 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
10.30am Nature Cruise & Picnic
2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with complimentary tea and coffee.
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
12.45pm Nature Cruise only
12.45pm Nature Cruise only
1.15pm Nature Cruise only
1:15pm Nature Cruise: 2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Complimentary Tea & Coffee.
1.30pm Nature Cruise only
1.30pm Nature Cruise only
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
3.45pm Nature Cruise only
3.45pm 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
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.
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
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
11.15am Nature Cruise & Picnic
11.15am Nature with Picnic: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.
Reviews
232 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Looked after and had an amazing experience
Passenger59553821343,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Bus driver was really friendly and pointed out key landmarks on our way to Milford Sounds. The cruise was amazing and once again we were taken care of by the captain and crew. The buffet was great. Over all the experience was amazing and would recommend Southern Discoveries most highly.
Day trip to Milford Fiord was good.
Shane H,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Day trip to Milford fiord was good. The bus ride from Te Anua was long. Felt like we didn’t need to stop in a valley or a short board walk at a stagnant pond. Toilet break was probably the only stop needed. Bus driver Michael was excellent. Great driver. Ellie our tour leader was brilliant. Very informative and friendly. Helpful also. She needs to work on some of her jokes tho. 😉. The boat ride itself was good. It was quite windy the day we went. Beautiful fiord. Waterfalls and mountains. Great scenery. All up a great fun day with family. Definitely don’t drive a vehicle out there. Go on a bus. It’s $10 an hour to park near the terminal. Or park for free about 25 mins walk to the terminal.
a perfect day!
kaytU3033QA,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Even the bus ride from Te Anau to Milford Sound was an experience: the stunning scenery and excellent explanations from our bus driver, Michael. What's more, Michael's humor kept us laughing! The cruise on the fjord was not only interesting but also relaxing.
A big tick off the Bucket List..!!
IanJohnston1964,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow…a bucket list trip,that exceeded all expectations… From the pick up in Queenstown to the return 13 hours later,the whole trip was brilliant..Our driver/guide/storyteller Shale,and his fellow guide Ellie were great,giving us a running commentary about the history,geology and biodiversity of the park.. Once we arrived at Milford Sound we boarded our boat for a 2 hour trip out to the Tasman Sea and back,all the time surrounded by some of the most jaw-dropping scenery on the planet…it is on an epic scale….And again,the commentary from the staff onboard is insightful and informative… A magnificent day out,and worth every penny..!!!
A Great Trip
V9400EUpaulr,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00I great boat trip around the Sound, which was made all the better by the lovely weather.
Excellent day out ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scenic26399731670,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Pre arranged Taxi pickup 06:40, on time. Checkin at the departure Depot, smooth and seamless. Front seats on coach reserved for us! WHAT? .. Bonus. Brand new Scania coach very comfortable. Charming, entertaining, interactive, and informative driver. Long but spectacular drive to Milford Sound. Interesting stops for photo opportunities. Perfect timing with boat excursion departure. Return journey equally as good. What more can I say? 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fabulous way to see the fjord and nature is a bonus
263sarahk,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The best way to see the Milford Sound. We went in the morning before the Queenstown posse had arrived. Lush rainforest surrounds the fjord, a pod of bottlenose dolphins swam close by and we passed a New Zealand fur seal sunbathing on a rock when we were there.
Would recommend, great guide
aaronbQ1477ZW,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would highly recommend this experience my wife and I had a great time. Taking the bus means you can sit back and enjoy the views on the way which are spectacular. Vaughn our Bus driver/guide was excellent. He had informative and fun commentary and made an already beautiful journey even better. The boat trip through Milford sound is breathtaking. It was super busy when we went (lunar new year) however it’s a massive boat with a big roof standing area so we could still see everything. Also every boat at the terminal looked busy.
Incredible road, less memorable fjord
Jet01568294229,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Overall we had a great day trip with Southern Discoveries. +++: the road to Milford Sound is amazing. We took the option to travel by bus from Queenstown which I highly recommend. Our driver was very friendly and shared a lot of information along the way. In addition, Southern Discoveries was flexible and agreed to take us from Kingston along the way. Nevertheless, I recommend that you call them by phone for this kind of request. The lady on the phone acceded directly to our request, while the one who answered us by e-mail refused, and responded much later. +-: the cruise is pleasant but not essential. We expected more impressive once in the heart of the fjord. Especially since it lasts less than 2 hours! For eight hours of round trip, it hurts. -: the value for money of the food on board. We took the buffet option. Fortunately we had a discount as it is clearly not worth its full price of $60 per person.
Bring a coat even on a...
Thomas M,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Bring a coat even on a sunny day. Often windy. Spectacular scenery and good narration. Top deck front is good viewing point.
From NZ$165.00
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Operated by Southern Discoveries