Milford Sound Day Tours
A day tour to Milford Sound offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery to be viewed anywhere in the world. You can choose to experience Milford Sound in various ways like taking a day cruise, a coach and cruise package, staying overnight on a cruise, or a scenic flight.
Travelling through Fiordland National Park, your coach-cruise-coach tour can start in Queenstown, but you can also book a Te Anau to Milford Sound day tour. Board your bus or coach and travel through stunning scenery along the Milford Road and into Fiordland, where your cruise boat awaits you.
Milford Sound tours include a cruise around the fiord so you can experience its wonders up close and see landmarks like Mitre Peak and amazing wildlife such as dolphins and seals. Cruise the inmost reaches of Milford Sound to the open Tasman Sea and back.
What you can expect
During your tour, your driver guide will entertain you with information about the region. Many visitors say the commentary and friendly service from their driver guide is what makes the day truly special. The top Milford Sound tour companies also offer extras like leather seats and free wifi to make your day more comfortable. Some also offer the option to convert your tour to a coach-cruise-fly tour.
For the ultimate experience, consider a Milford Sound Helicopter Tour from Queenstown. You can experience the incredible Milford Sound from both the air and ground.
We recommend Milford Sound tours operated by the companies listed below.
Our Recommended Tour Operators
Choose from our carefully selected tour operators for your Milford Sound adventure.
awesomeNZ
Locally operated and designed for adventure!
Tour Highlights
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Commentary from local driver guides
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Modern glass-roof coaches with free Wi-Fi
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Multiple photo stops along Milford Road
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Departures from Queenstown or Te Anau
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Optional picnic lunch available
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Scenic 1 hour and 45 min Milford Sound cruise
GreatSights
New Zealand’s premier sightseeing tour company
Tour Highlights
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Premium glass-roof coaches with onboard facilities
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Expert commentary from professional guides
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Complimentary hotel pickups and drop-offs
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GPS-operated multilingual headsets are available
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Cruise Milford Sound and see the famous sights
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Optional picnic lunch add-on
InterCity
Great value day tours with New Zealand’s #1 bus network
Tour Highlights
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Great value pricing on full-day sightseeing tours
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Departure options from both Queenstown or Te Anau
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Modern coaches with free Wi-Fi
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Scenic cruise on one of Milford Sound’s most popular vessels
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Part of New Zealand’s largest bus network
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Tour can be booked using InterCity FlexiPass hours
This is the company that offers one of the best value tours to Milford Sound. The passionate team at awesomeNZ have a long history of great customer reviews and ensures every trip to Milford Sound is a day to remember! awesomeNZ has daily tours to Milford Sound from Queenstown or Te Anau, and here are some of the highlights:
Here are some of the daily awesomeNZ Milford Sound tour highlights:
Commentary from local driver guides to keep you entertained and in the know
Modern, glass-roof coaches with English commentary and free Wi-Fi
Milford Sound cruise with optional picnic lunch (at extra cost)
Lots of photo stops along the Milford Road
Full-day tour from Queenstown or Te Anau
Their Milford Sound tours from Queenstown are well known for offering premium service, guides and comfort. GreatSights Milford Sound tours run daily, with departures not just from Queenstown, but also Milford Sound tours from Te Anau.
On the Milford Sound tour, passengers enjoy scenic views from glass-roofed coaches and there are lots of photo opportunities along the Milford Road on the way to the scenic cruise. The cruise itself takes place on board Milford Sound’s newest and most luxurious cruise ship. The vessel has expansive outdoor viewing decks, as well as glass ceilings, and screens showing live footage inside.
Highlights of GreatSights Milford Sound tours include:
Full-day tour from Queenstown or Te Anau
Complimentary hotel pickups and drop-offs
Luxury glass-roof coaches with onboard toilets and free Wi-Fi
Expert commentary from local driver guides
GPS-operated multilingual headsets available in Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese
Milford Sound cruise, with optional picnic lunch (extra cost)
InterCity operates New Zealand’s largest domestic bus network and they also offer a wide variety of affordable day tours – in fact, its Milford Sound tours are great value when compared to those on offer by other companies.
InterCity’s Milford Sound tours highlights are:
Great value, bus travel can be paid with FlexiPass hours
Full day tour from Queenstown or Te Anau
Usually operated in a glass-roof coach with free Wi-Fi
Available with picnic lunch as an optional extra
FAQs
Milford Sound Tours
Because the weather in Milford Sound can change, it’s a good idea to be prepared for every possibility. We recommend wearing or bringing with you:
- a hat (to protect you from the sun in summer, and keep you warm in winter)
- sunglasses
- a waterproof and windproof layer
- at least one warm layer
- comfortable footwear you can walk in
Milford Sound day tours from Queenstown are a full-day adventure, typically taking 12-14 hours. The journey itself is a major highlight, with four hours of scenic driving each way along one of the world’s most beautiful roads, including multiple opportunities for photos and short walks. The experience is topped off with a 1.5-2 hour cruise on the fiord. Tours from Te Anau are a bit shorter, usually 8-10 hours.
Milford Sound is spectacular year-round, but each season offers different experiences. Summer (Dec-Feb) has the warmest weather and longest days. Autumn (Mar-May) offers stunning colours and fewer crowds. Winter (Jun-Aug) brings snow-capped peaks and dramatic weather. Spring (Sep-Nov) features waterfalls at their most powerful from snowmelt.
Yes, there are several restroom stops along the Milford Road, including at Te Anau Downs, and the Mirror Lakes viewing area. All cruise boats have onboard restroom facilities.
Most tours include lunch options or stops where you can purchase food. You’re welcome to bring snacks and water bottles. Some operators offer picnic lunch upgrades. Hot drinks are often available on cruise boats. Check with your specific operator about their food policies and inclusions.
The coach portion of the tour is suitable for most travellers. However, boarding cruise boats may require navigating steps and potentially uneven surfaces. Most modern cruise vessels are accessible, but it’s best to inform your operator of any mobility concerns when booking so they can provide appropriate assistance.
Common wildlife sightings include fur seals, dolphins (particularly bottlenose and sometimes Hector’s dolphins), and various bird species including the rare Fiordland penguin. You might also spot albatross, petrels, and native forest birds along the route. Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed but are quite common, especially seals and dolphins.
Tours operate in most weather conditions, as Milford Sound is beautiful in all weather – including rain, which creates spectacular temporary waterfalls. However, in extreme conditions like heavy snow blocking the road or dangerous weather, tours may be cancelled or rerouted. Operators will contact you if changes are necessary and typically offer full refunds for cancelled tours.