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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 23 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Mark Chipperfield

This gorgeous 22km long fjord – one of New Zealand’s most accessible – is hallmarked by beautiful upland scenery, crowned by the Mitre Peak. Despite the crowds, it remains an awe-inspiring landscape of snow-capped mountains, dense forests and spectacular waterfalls.

There are several bucket list ways you can get out into the wilderness and appreciate it in all its natural glory.

The most popular way is on a pleasure cruise along the Milford Sound waterway – justifiably ranked as one of New Zealand’s signature experiences. A range of cruises are available, from thrill rides on jetboats to gentle two-hour tours on historic steamboats. You can also take an overnight cruise along the entire fjord to the Tasman Sea.

You could take it all in from the water on a kayak, soar over Mitre Peak on a helicopter or spend 4-days hiking the world-renowned Milford Track around it, through pristine, fern-filled rainforest.

Price from: £10
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

Milford Sound is 295kms (about a 4-hour drive from Queenstown). A number of organised tours depart from Queenstown – some involving a (much faster) flight to get there. If time allows, you can make your way down to Te Anau, the ‘gateway to the fjords’, 2.5 hours’ drive from Queenstown. For those who are self-driving, a public car park is located 10 minutes’ walk from the boat harbour. Air Fiordland operates regular flights from Queenstown to Milford Sound.

 

 

 

When to do it

Cruises operate all year round, seven days a week. Departure times vary by operator. The earliest cruises depart around 9am (summer) and 9.45am (winter). The last cruises depart around 3.30pm (summer) and 1.45pm (winter).

The access road gets clogged with cars and coach tours, so go early before the crowds. Australia and NZ school holidays are the peak tourism times; avoid if possible.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Morning Tea Cruise on Historic Motor Yacht from Te Anau

Te Anau

Morning Tea Cruise on Historic Motor Yacht from Te Anau
Join us for an elegant cruise on the historic motor yacht "Faith" on Lake Te Anau. This relaxed 3-hour experience includes a guided walk in the Fiordland National Park, a delightful morning tea and refreshments, and cruising home under sail. You have 3 uniformed crew hosting you while on board, and 2 nature guides to show you the delights of New Zealand scenery. This option is restricted to 16 passengers to ensure a comfortable, personable experience.

Price: N145

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [58 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Afternoon Te Anau Cruise on Historic Motor Yacht

Te Anau

Afternoon Te Anau Cruise on Historic Motor Yacht
Join this tour for an elegant cruise on the historic motor yacht "Faith" on Lake Te Anau. This relaxed 3-hour experience includes a guided walk in the Fiordland National Park, a delightful afternoon tea and refreshments, and cruising home under sail. You have 3 uniformed crew hosting you while on board, and 2 nature guides to show you the delights of New Zealand scenery. This option is restricted to 16 passengers to ensure a comfortable, personable experience.

Price: N145

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [114 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown or Te Anau

Queenstown

Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown or Te Anau
An extended and leisurely cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea on a cruise designed for the free, independent traveler. Nature cruises have a relaxed and flexible itinerary designed to allow guests to see and experience what makes Milford Sound world renowned. Spend around two hours nudging into waterfalls, spotting wildlife and listening to the informative commentary from our specialist Nature Guide who mingles with guests. Keep a look out for wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. If you wish to pre-purchase a picnic lunch, please contact the supplier directly after making your booking. In total, the coach travel from Queenstown to Milford is around 5 hours. This includes with some viewing spot breaks along the way and a 20-30 minutes stop in Te Anau. For those travelling from Te Anau the journey is around 2.5 hours to Milford (one way). The cruise is 2 hours long. Please note, the cruise will take place on board a wide selection of purpose built RealNZ boats.

Price: N169

Min age: 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [117 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness

Te Anau

Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness
This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in Fiordland National Park - far from the crowds found elsewhere. Fiordland Jet is is the only scenic commercial operator on these waterways, which means guests can enjoy an authentic kiwi experience in a small, personalized group tour. As a locally owned and operated business, we are taking tourism back to what it use to be - personal - and invite you to explore our beautiful home as one of the family. No rushing. No lines. Just wide open spaces and jaw dropping scenery. This is not the typical jet boat 'ride' - this is a journey - time to explore and learn about this amazing area and its rich history all while having heaps of FUN!

Price: N173

Min age: 0

Rating 4.98 / 5 [381 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

Te Anau

Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau
Enjoy a friendly, small group (maximum 15 people) day excursion to Milford Sound from Te Anau, including a small boat cruise along the full length of the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea. Our relaxed timetable ensures plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy short walks, photographic stops and exploration with the nature guide.

Price: N184

Min age: 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [325 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Full-Day Tour from Te Anau

Te Anau

Milford Sound Full-Day Tour from Te Anau
Be mesmerized by the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound on this full-day tour from Te Anau.

Price: N189

Min age: 0

Rating 4.59 / 5 [91 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Underwater Observatory with lunch ex Te Anau

Te Anau

Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Underwater Observatory with lunch ex Te Anau
Join us for the most in-depth and authentic Milford Sound day trip experience. The only day trip from Te Anau to include a visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory. Explore Fiordland National Park on the most in-depth day trip experience from Te Anau. Sit back and relax as your expert driver navigates the Milford Road. Journey through spectacular natural landscapes as your local coach driver provides engaging and informative commentary and shows you the best short walks and photo stops along the way. In Milford join our smaller boat, Milford Sound Discover More Cruise. Soak up breath-taking scenic views and get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and waterfalls. Our expert skippers specialist will share their local knowledge. At the underwater observatory, descend 10 metres below the surface to check out the local sea life and rare black coral. A delicious picnic lunch is included.

Price: N225

Min age: 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [8 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full-Day Milford Sound Extraordinaire Tour from Te Anau

Te Anau

Full-Day Milford Sound Extraordinaire Tour from Te Anau
This full-day Milford Sound extraordinaire tour from Te Anau will have you traveling along the spectacular Milford Road. With fun commentary and plenty of local knowledge provided you will have a chance to see keas, seals, dolphins and the Fiordland crested penguin. Enjoy an amazing morning tea that includes wonderful date scones, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits, chocolates Experience an amazing 20-minute walk to the Chasm. You will have the chance to do the most spectacular 30-minute walk to Milford Sound. It is the Marian Cascade which is a continuous cascading waterfall draining from a glacier fed lake. Your day will be topped off with a 2-hour cruise on the famous Milford Sound.

Price: N229

Min age: 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [722 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Coach and Nature Cruise with Buffet Lunch from Te Anau

Te Anau

Milford Sound Coach and Nature Cruise with Buffet Lunch from Te Anau
Journey in comfort on one of our brand new, low-emission coaches and take in incredible, panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. Enjoy entertaining commentary, and let us show you the best stops along the way as you connect seamlessly to your Milford Sound cruise. Discover native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains on our extended Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and close enough to feel the full force of the powerful 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls Waterfall. Specialist nature guide on board sharing their local knowledge with lively and informative commentary. Freshly prepared Lunch included alongside FREE tea and coffee with a licensed bar on board.

Price: N245

Min age: 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Guided Private Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau(Cruise Included)

Te Anau

Guided Private Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau(Cruise Included)
Private guided tour in a luxury Tesla Model X. Our knowledgeable guides offer personalized tours into the world-renown Milford Sound from Te Anau. Every tour includes a 2-hour cruise that takes you past the iconic Mitre Peak(shared with others).

Price: N250

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [73 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Small Group, Award Winning, Full Day Milford Sound Experience from Queenstown

Queenstown

Small Group, Award Winning, Full Day Milford Sound Experience from Queenstown
Milford Sound is arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand and a must-see for any traveller. Whether seen in sunshine or rain, the incredible views are guaranteed to leave you awestruck. This is a small group tour for travellers seeking an all-inclusive, uniquely-kiwi, personalized trip to Milford Sound.  We keep things personal using our fleet of modern Mercedes vans. Enjoy your journey with only 16 people, in a vehicle with premium features such as leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi and Spotify. Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with in-depth knowledge of the area, as we travel from Queenstown through Te Anau and into the Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Road. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as our guide's favourite off-the-beaten-track spots. Enjoy a 2-hour small uncrowded cruise while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer! You can also add on a picnic lunch to enjoy onboard.

Price: N250

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [1109 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Coach and Nature Cruise with Buffet Lunch from Queenstown

Queenstown

Milford Sound Coach and Nature Cruise with Buffet Lunch from Queenstown
Journey in comfort with Milford Sound's original cruise operator on one of our low emission coaches. Take in the incredible, panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. Enjoy entertaining commentary, and let us show you the best stops and short walks along the way as you connect seamlessly to your Milford Sound cruise. Discover native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains on our extended Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and close enough to feel the full force of the powerful 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls waterfall. Specialist nature guide on board sharing their local knowledge with lively and informative commentary. Delicious and freshly prepared Lunch alongside complimentary tea and coffee included on the cruise, with a licensed bar on board.

Price: N295

Min age: 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [230 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Luxury Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise

Queenstown

Luxury Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise
Travel with a family-owned and operated company. Milford Sound Day Tour, enjoy maximum space with our day tours.     Sit back, stretch out, relax, and enjoy the scenery in the warmth and comfort of our luxury small coach. The most luxurious way to travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a Full-Day Tour, our drivers are local kiwis who know all about this region and its stories. Enjoy our Full Milford Sound Cruise before hopping back on the bus for your return journey to Queenstown.

Price: N295

Min age: 0

Rating 4.48 / 5 [293 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Scenic Fly-Cruise-Fly departing Queenstown

Queenstown

Milford Sound Scenic Fly-Cruise-Fly departing Queenstown
We will fly you from Queenstown over the Southern Alps with breathtakingly spectacular and endless panoramic views of lakes, forested river valleys, waterfalls, jagged razor-backed ridge lines and snow covered peaks.

Price: N595

Min age: 0

Rating 4.93 / 5 [550 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise with Scenic Round-Trip Flight from Queenstown

Queenstown

Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise with Scenic Round-Trip Flight from Queenstown
Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound and enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains, lakes and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. Surrounded by some of the most magnificent scenery in the world, you’ll board your cruise and travel the length of the fiord out to Tasman Sea. Complete your journey with an unforgettable flight over the dramatic Southern Alps back to Queenstown.

Price: N597

Min age: 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [192 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half-Day Milford Sound Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

Queenstown

Half-Day Milford Sound Flight and Cruise from Queenstown
Milford Sound is an area of extraordinary natural beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe-inspiring scenery and prolific flora and fauna. This tour with Air Milford allows you to combine the stunning flight to Milford Sound with a beautiful cruise on the fiord. Relax as you enjoy the best of both worlds from above and from the sea.

Price: N610

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [498 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half-Day Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Flight from Queenstown

Queenstown

Half-Day Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Flight from Queenstown
Air Milford hosts you on an intimate experience, combining two incredible scenic flights into Fiordland National Park with a Nature Cruise through the fiord itself. Enjoy reserved seating for Air Milford passengers aboard the cruise and commentary from the passionate skippers while exploring the nooks and crannies along the edge of the fiord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail. Enjoy return flights to Milford Sound so you can experience its beauty from all angles.

Price: N610

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [134 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air

Queenstown

Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air
You are guaranteed a window seat with unimpaired views as you fly this incredible route to and from Milford Sound through a landscape of unbelievable grandeur and beauty. Encounter real mountain flying and marvel at the most remarkable snow-capped mountains and glaciers onboard our fixed-wing aircraft. Your knowledgeable, highly skilled local pilot providing interesting and informative commentary. Flying across the Southern Alps, out to the West Coast and the Tasman Sea before flying through the Fiord itself to land in Milford Sound. Once in Milford, your pilot will accompany you to the boat terminal. Discover the natural wonders of Milford Sound aboard your cruise vessel with open-air viewing decks, a perfect location for some wildlife spotting. The Fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins, and dolphins, who love playing in the wake of the boat. You will cruise the length of the Fiord out to the Tasman Sea with a pass under Sterling Falls on the return.

Price: N619

Min age: 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [259 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half-Day Milford Sound Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - 203

Queenstown

Half-Day Milford Sound Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - 203
Explore the spectacular Fiordland National Park by air on this half-day Milford Sound helicopter flight from Queenstown. Fly over Milford Sound by helicopter with a guide, and gaze out over the cliffs, waterfalls, and forests below. Stop for a stroll in Milford Sound for fine views over Mitre Peak, then land on a West Coast beach and Mt. Tutoko glacier. Along the way, gain insight into Milford Sound’s impressive geography and see sides of the region many visitors miss. This 2.5-hour tour includes round-trip travel from your Queenstown hotel.

Price: N1,200

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [25 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

New Zealand’s South Island

South Islands, New Zealand

New Zealand’s South Island

A primordial playground with truly spectacular scenery on the grandest scale, outdoor adventure activities galore, colourful and compelling Maori culture and terribly nice Kiwis.

Round-ups that include this experience