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Day Trips

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip with Cruise, Walks & Return Transfers

Milford Sound cruise boat with scenic mountain views, Queenstown day trip experience.
Milford Sound cruise boat with fjord views, lush mountains, and waterfalls, New Zealand.
Milford Sound cruise with scenic mountain views and lush greenery, Queenstown day trip.
Milford Sound cruise with scenic views of fjords and waterfalls, Queenstown day trip.

Enjoy a full-day tour of the glacier-carved fjord Milford Sound with round-trip Queenstown transfers. Upgrade for a premium, small-group experience with lunch.

Highlights

  • Join a guided day tour of Milford Sound, exploring scenic stops with hassle-free round-trip transfers from Queenstown.

  • On your way to Milford Sound, you'll get to stop at places like Mirror Lakes and enjoy short walks to take in the area's natural beauty.

  • Enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound, a fjord formed by glaciers, bordered by mountains and waterfalls. Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, and penguins.

  • Enhance your experience by opting for the premium experience with a small group, and lunch included.

  • Fun fact: The Lady Bowen Falls, one of Milford Sound's most iconic waterfalls, also provides electricity and water to the nearby village.

Inclusions

  • Full-day tour of Milford Sound

  • Round-trip transfers from Queenstown

  • Stops with short walks

  • 2-hour Milford Sound cruise

  • English-speaking driver-guide

  • Lunch (as per option selected)

  • Complimentary tea and coffee on-board

  • Small-group experience (as per option selected)

Exclusions

  • Other food and beverages (available to purchase onboard)

Itinerary

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

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4.3
135 ratings
5/5
82
4/5
31
3/5
9
2/5
2
1/5
11
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Guests from Australia, United States, India and over 22 countries have loved this experience
Aya Takeuchi

Aya

5/5

Sep, 2024

First, the driver was great and friendly. His guide was easy for me to understand and showed us many sights. My experience in Milford Sound was invaluable, and the crew always supported us to have fun on board. Lunch was great.
Michele Clarke

Michele

5/5

Jul, 2024

Sabastian was a great driver, we felt very safe. His commentary and sense of humour was great. The stops on the way were great and the cruise was excellent. Thanks for a fantastic day!
Eserani Antonio Munivai

Eserani

5/5

Jun, 2024

Shout out to Brian from Pure Milford (our bus driver and tour guide) for making the return journey a smooth and memorable one. With good weather we managed to make a few stops for breaks and photos along the way. The cruise was spectacular! Since we took the trip in early winter (June), the boat wasn't too crowded. The snowcapped mountains made for majestic views. We were lucky to spot bottleneck dolphins on the way which were a rare treat. Great value for money compared to similar tours by other companies we researched online. Absolutely recommend!
Bruna De Lima Martins

Bruna

5/5

Apr, 2024

The bus driver shared with us some great information on our way to Milford Sound. The cruise was stunning with views to amazing waterfalls. It was raining on that day so we could we a lot of them
Kuduva Nagaiar Kuppuraman Ravi

Kuduva

5/5

Apr, 2024

In addition to Milford Sound itself, the bus drive to it was wonderful. The driver Debby's driving was smooth with detailed commentaries all the way to the ferry terminal. The ferry sailing and commentaries were very good. Lunch served hot with complimentary coffee. I enjoyed the fiords also along the way.

Scenic drive to Milford Sound

Embark on a 4-hour drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Witness the transformation of landscapes as you travel through Southland's farmlands and into the heart of Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the drive continues, lush rainforests and glacier-carved valleys unfold, offering photo-worthy moments at iconic spots like the Eglinton Valley – a testament to nature's artistry – and Mirror Lakes, which mirrors the majestic Earl Mountains.

Milford Sound cruise

The highlight of the trip is a 1-hour 45-minute cruise on the Milford Sound aboard the 'Gem of the Sound', the only glass-roof vessel in the fiord. As the vessel nears the Stirling Falls waterfall, brace yourself for a refreshing spray when the bow ventures beneath! You can opt to upgrade to a premium, small group experience with lunch from an onboard café while soaking in views that feel painted just for you. The vessel's spacious decks, large windows, and HD camera footage ensure you don't miss a moment of this surreal view.

Return Drive to Queenstown

After the cruise, relax on a return drive to Queenstown, reflecting on the day's magnificent sights and experiences.

What to bring

  • Bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, rain jacket, hat, insect repellant, non-slip shoes, and power bank.

  • Wear warm layered clothing and comfortable footwear to stay warm during the trip.

  • Bring cash or an EFTPOS/credit card onboard for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

  • Pack your meds – better to be prepared, just in case they’re not available onsite.

Additional information

  • The experience may be subject to change due to extreme weather conditions.
  • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

  • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Meeting point

  • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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