Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown
Overview
Available languages
13 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience stunning scenery on an unforgettable day trip to Milford Sound. The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in the south west of the South Island, and is famed for its remote atmosphere and rugged beauty. It is New Zealand’s best known fiord and the only one that can be reached by road. Maori are believed to have discovered Milford Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to collect the prized pounamu (greenstone). In the early 1800s John Grono was the first European settler to land in the sound, which he named after Milford Haven in Wales. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather. Cliffs rise high into the air from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards, some as high as 1000 metres.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Lake Wakatipu
Shaped like a lightening blot, Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's third largest lake. You will be able to see views of the lake as you depart Queenstown.
Mirror Lakes Walk
Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather. Cliffs rise high into the air from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards, some as high as 1000 metres. When it rains in Milford Sound (and it often does) those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect. See the mirror lakes of Earl Mountains
What‘s Included
Picnic lunch
Glass-roof coach transport with free WiFi
Hotel transfers (selected properties)
Milford Sound scenic cruise
Gratuities
Options
Cruise, Tour & Lunch 7.40am
Tour, Cruise & Lunch 7.20am
Milford Sound Cruise
Picnic Lunch
Glass Roof Coach
Reviews
534 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rainy and worth it!
Patrick N,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s a long day but worth the trip. Need layers and rain gear for sure! Rain made all the waterfalls show up which was very cool.
Life Changing!
J T,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Just picture this. Standing on the top deck of the boat, as you are being guided near a waterfall and being informed on the formation and what is being experienced. Then for a moment, it becomes still and quiet. You're in awe of what youre experiencing. That was our Milford Sound experience. The day is lengthy, as the ride is long. Yet all the beautiful spaces, plus the breaks and stops, make the time fly by. By the time you even arrive to Milford, you've already experienced so much beauty. THEN you get to the masterpiece. Stunning. You feel small in such a big world. It's one of the days I'll remember my entire life.
Milford Sound with picnic
William C,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Long journey there and back but interesting commentary and beautiful scenery so didn't detract in slightest. Milford Sound cruise well worth it. Picnic provided was adequate.
Amazing Experience!
Sarah H,,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide we has was amazing! Had so much local knowledge, historic knowledge and cultural knowledge!
Tour was canceled and I’m...
Anara O,,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Tour was canceled and I’m still trying to get a refund. I called multiple times and spent my money on roaming fees since their Support number was US number
Milford Sound
Randal B,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Our original tour operators Cheeky Kiwi cancelled our trip at 5pm the evening before trip. We rescheduled with another operator but the weather cut our trip short and we were unable to see everything in that amount of time. The bus driver was actually the best part of trip very informative.
Day trip Milford Sound.
KateMalaika,,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic day out to Milford Sound with plenty of interesting stops along the way. Of particular note is the stunning mirror lake and also monkey creek where we got to see some wild kea. Ivan the driver was fantastic with plenty of informative commentary along the way.
Beautiful trip to Milford Sound
Michelle Z,,Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Adrian was a great driver. The trip is long and the roads narrow and windy. It's best to have a driver for this experience. The trip is long. It's a 12 hour day. Most of it is in the bus. We were very lucky to have a 5 hour window when the road to Milford sound was open that day. Our driver was knowledgeable and able to work our trip through the road opening.
Long day but well worth...
Jo M,,Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Long day but well worth the time. The drive was relaxing, bus was very comfortable, Driver very informative, the scenery, you cannot capture the beauty. Milford Sound cruise was great. The rain did not dampen everybody’s enthusiasm
Milford Sound’s Finest: Dani and Abbi
238viennap,,Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My partner and I booked this tour, and we are so glad that we did! Dani, our driver, and Abbi, our tour guide, were extremely experienced and knowledgeable, and kept us entertained on our 8 hours of driving! Dani skillfully navigated the windy roads while providing jovial commentary, and Abbi shared interesting stories about the area. Both gentlemen were passionate about the landscape and continuously offered to take photos of passengers at photo stops. We made many stops, including Lake Gunn, Mirror lakes, Fergus lake, the Chasm, Hundred falls, Homer tunnel, Monkey creek and Eglinton Valley, with a coffee stop at Te Anau. The views were spectacular, like nothing either of us have experienced before. The cruise along Milford Sound was magical, the cloudy and rainy weather meant that we got to experience mystical clouds and little waterfalls - they only run when there’s rain. 10/10 day!!
From NZ$318.00
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Operated by awesomeNZ Milford Sound Day Tour