Milford Sound

Coach | Cruise | Fly

A Full Day Fiordland adventure by land, sea and sky.

Adult

15+ years old

Price from
$ 779
NZD
  •  

Child

3-14 years old

Price from
$ 589
NZD
  •  

Infant

0-2 years old and under 15kgs/33lb

Price from
$ 179
NZD
  •  

Duration

Full Day

Coach Departure

7.00am from Queenstown

Flight Departure

3.00pm from Milford Sound

Coach Time

5 Hours

Cruise Time

1 hr 45 mins

Flight Time

40 mins

Minimum Age

No minimum

Availability

Year-Round

Trip Includes

Highlights

Book your Milford Sound Coach | Cruise | Fly

Milford Sound FAQ's

What time is check in for my coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound?

When making your booking on our website, please select your pickup point from the Pickup Location dropdown list. Your estimated time for pickup will be listed next to your accommodation. If you don’t require a pickup and will either drive or walk, you’ll meet the coach at the Southern Discoveries Queenstown Visitor Centre at St. Omer Wharf, 110 Beach Street. Please arrive by 6.40am to collect your Boarding Passes. For more information, please contact Southern Discoveries on 0800 264 536.

How long is this trip?

This is a Full Day experience. From checking in with Southern Discoveries for your morning coach, to landing back at Queenstown Airport, is approximately 9 hours.

Should the weather prevent us from flying on the day of your booking you would coach back to Queenstown returning at approximately 8pm

If you have plans immediately either side of your experience with us, please let us know.

What should I bring?

We suggest you bring the following with you to make it a great day out:

  • Any essential medication
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray
  • Camera – make sure it’s fully charged
  • Warm clothing layers – you’ll want to enjoy the open-air viewing decks where it can get chilly
  • Sensible footwear
  • Bottle of water
  • Snacks – a picnic lunch is included, but you can work up quite the appetite taking in the beautiful scenery along your journey!
How long is the coach ride?

The coach ride with our partners Southern Discoveries, departs Queenstown at approximately 7.00am. You will arrive in Milford Sound for your Nature Cruise after approximately 5 hours, with plenty of photo stops and short walks on your way in.

What is the Southern Discoveries Geo Maps app?

Download the Southern Discoveries app, Geo Maps, before your departure onto your phone to hear commentary along your coach journey to Milford Sound, with the audio activating automatically when you near points of interest.

 

This app utilises GPS triggers, so it doesn’t require WIFI to work.

 

It is available in the following languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Chinese Simplified.

 

You will find a QR code link to this app in your email confirmation.

Will I need to bring a car seat for the coach journey?

In accordance with New Zealand law and for your safety, all children aged 6 and under must be correctly secured in an approved child seat while traveling in any Southern Discoveries coach. If you need to hire an approved child seat, we recommend you contact Tots on Tour on +64 3 442 0409.

Depending on the size of the car seat, this may be flown back with you or it may need to return by coach to be collected from Southern Discoveries later in the day.

How long is the cruise?

Your Nature Cruise through Milford Sound with our partners Southern Discoveries is 1 hour 45 mins.

Is food included with the cruise?

Yes, a kiwi-style buffet lunch is included with this experience, which includes a selection of delicious hot and cold dishes and salads freshly prepared on board using local produce.

Complimentary tea, coffee and water is available. A selection of small snacks are available to purchase onboard. You are also welcome to bring snacks of your own.

Is there an indoor area on the cruise?

Yes, the cruise has a large indoor area with comfortable seating and tables.

What will I see on the cruise?

Your cruise through Milford Sound is on a boat with a large open-top deck and comfy interior cabins with full-height windows for optimal viewing. Take in the stunning scenery of Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Copper Point, and the Tasman Sea. Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and penguins.

How long is the scenic flight?

Your flights between Queenstown and Milford Sound are approximately 40 minutes each way.

Is the cruise suitable for an infant?

We would say the cruise is suitable for all ages.

Is there a nappy changing facility/station available inside the cruise?

Yes, there is a nappy changing facility onboard the cruise.

What happens if the weather prevents us from flying back to Queenstown?

Because of the weather-dependent nature of flying in the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, we cannot guarantee the return flight portion of your experience. The safety of our passengers is always our highest priority and in the event of adverse weather, you will return to Queenstown by coach, arriving back at approximately 8 pm and the flight portion of the trip will be refunded. Glenorchy Air is not responsible for any missed connections or activities if flights are delayed or canceled due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.  

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Coach along the stunning Milford Road from Queenstown in comfortable air-conditioned coaches with USB charging ports, glass roof with large windows and entertaining commentary
  • Stop for short walks along the way with highlights including Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek, Knobs Flat, the Homer Tunnel, Christie Falls and The Chasm
  • Nature Cruise through Milford Sound with open-air viewing decks, perfect for wildlife spotting
  • A picnic lunch is included with this experience. We have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available.
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and water are included on your nature cruise
  • Meet your Glenorchy Air pilot and enjoy a breathtaking scenic flight back to Queenstown with unimpaired views from your window seat
  • Inspiring aerial views of glacier-fed braided rivers, endless snow-covered mountains and incredible glaciers
  • See your pilot’s favourites Lake Quill and the Sutherland Falls on your return flight to Queenstown from your window seat!
  • Upon returning to Queenstown, we offer complimentary transport to your Queenstown accommodation.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Departure time shown when booking is the return flight time of 3pm, the coach departs approximately 7 am.

Click here for this trip’s most frequently asked questions.

Adult

15+ years old

Price From
$ 629
NZD
  •  

Child

3-14 years old

Price From
$ 429
NZD
  •  

Infant

0-2 years old and under 15kgs

Price From
$ 119
NZD
  •  

Book your Milford Sound Coach | Cruise | Fly

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

The 3pm time shown as ‘departure’ when initially selecting your experience is the time our flight is due to depart Milford Sound. Check in for your coach will be with our partners Southern Discoveries at approximately 7am depending on where you are staying. Full details will be confirmed during the booking process.

We suggest you bring the following with you to make it a great day out:

  • Any essential medication
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray
  • Camera – make sure it’s fully charged
  • Warm clothing layers – you’ll want to enjoy the open-air viewing decks where it can get chilly
  • Sensible footwear
  • Bottle of water
  • Snacks – a picnic lunch is included, but you can work up quite the appetite taking in the beautiful scenery!

The coach ride with our partners Southern Discoveries, departs Queenstown at approximately 7.00am. You will arrive in Milford Sound for your Nature Cruise after approximately 5 hours, with plenty of photo stops and short walks on your way in.

In accordance with New Zealand law and for your safety, all children aged 6 and under must be correctly secured in an approved child seat while traveling in any Southern Discoveries coach. If your customer needs to hire an approved child seat, we recommend you contact Tots on Tour on +64 3 442 0409.

Depending on the size of the car seat this may be flown back with you, it may need to return by coach to be collected from southern discoveries later in the day.

Your Nature Cruise through Milford Sound is 1 hour 45 mins.

Your flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown is approximately 40 minutes.

Yes, a picnic lunch is included in your booking to be enjoyed on your cruise through Milford Sound. We have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available.

 

Complimentary tea, coffee and water is available. A selection of small snacks are available to purchase onboard. You are also welcome to bring snacks of your own.

Yes, the cruise has a large indoor area with comfortable seating and tables.

Your cruise through Milford Sound is on a boat with a large open-top deck and comfy interior cabins with full-height windows for optimal viewing. Take in the stunning scenery of Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Copper Point, and the Tasman Sea. Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and penguins.

We would say the cruise is suitable for all ages.

Yes, there is a nappy changing facility onboard the cruise.

Due to the weather-dependent nature of flying in the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, it is unfortunate that there are occasions where the forecast is not suitable for flying and we will be unable to offer you your return scenic flight to Queenstown. The safety of our passengers is always our highest priority and in the event of adverse weather, you will return to Queenstown by coach, arriving back approximately 8pm.

Get to Milford Sound faster

Looking to take a Nature Cruise through Milford Sound, but don't have all day? Check out our popular Milford Sound Fly | Cruise | Fly.

Fly | Cruise | Fly