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Milford Sound Nature Cruise: Experience Wildlife, Waterfalls, and Mountains with Buffet Lunch
4.7
338 Ratings
Queenstown
Embark on a Milford Sound Nature Cruise and experience the wonders of wildlife, waterfalls, and mountains. Enjoy a buffet lunch, expert commentary, and breathtaking views.
Duration:
12 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Southern Discoveries - Queenstown Visitor Centre - • Travel on a premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air-conditioning. Low emission and brand new fleet. • USB charging ports and onboard toilet • Experienced, local coach drivers provide engaging and informative commentary, and show you the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road • Coach connects with our Milford Sound Nature Cruise for a 1hr 45mins cruise of Milford Sound • Specialist nature guide on board provides entertaining and informative commentary • FREE tea and coffee - Queenstown - Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Renowned for adventure sports, it’s also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. Take in the sights as you head out of town and toward the incredible Fiordland. - Te Anau - Te Anau is a beautiful town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Enjoy a short break here on your way to Milford Sound, in order to break up the journey, grab a coffee, and stretch your legs. - Eglinton Valley - This beautiful valley is glaciated with steep sides and a flat floor. It’s between half a kilometre to two kilometres wide and has a shingle riverbed floor, which is constantly being changed by the Eglinton River. This is an incredible stop you will make as apart of your journey to Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries. - Mirror Lakes Walk - Enjoy a stroll among small lakes with stunning reflections of the Earl Mountains, should weather be permissive on the day. This is an easy, short walk off the Milford Road. - Eglinton Valley Camp - Interpretation panels show the effect of avalanches on the Milford Road and provide information on the wildlife of the Eglinton Valley. Visitor amenities include toilets and a telephone (card payment only). - Lake Gunn - Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand. - Monkey Creek - Take in great views of the upper Hollyford Valley while you fill up your water bottle from this glacier fed spring. Friendly Keas (a New Zealand alpine parrot) love this area so it’s a great stop for some kea spotting. - Homer Tunnel - At an altitude of 945 metres above sea level and 1.2 kilometres in length, the unlined road tunnel allows access through sheer rock to Milford Sound with a gradient of 1 in 10. Completed in 1953, traffic lights control the traffic flow through the tunnel. An incredible part of your journey along the Milford Road. - Cleddau River - The Cleddau River is a beautiful river of New Zealand. It flows into the head of Milford Sound. You’ll see many parts of this river as you journey along the Milford Sound road. - Milford Sound - Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life. Boat tours are a popular way to explore. - Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre - Exchange your pass and board your Nature Cruise. Your unforgettable journey on the water starts here! - Mitre Peak - Mitre Peak is a beautifully dramatic mountain in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed mountain peaks in the entire country. - Stirling Falls - Milford’s second-highest waterfall is the Stirling Falls, a staggering 151m in height – three times the height of Niagara Falls, but the 1,300m mountain behind displaces this incredible height. This is the famous waterfall that Hugh Jackman ‘jumped off’ in the movie Wolverine. The sheer drop of the Stirling Falls allows boats to get right underneath – it’s an incredible feeling to have the power of 151m worth of glacial water falling so close to you. - Sinbad Gully - Nestled behind the world famous Mitre Peak, the Sinbad Gully is characterised by extremely steep glacially carved walls punctuated by near vertical granite cliffs. These walls slowed pest invasion into the gully and as a result a number of unique native species remain in the Sinbad. Southern Discoveries is passionate about preserving Milford Sound’s beauty for future generations which is why it’s a key partner in a major conservation project – the Sinbad Sanctuary Project. The aim is to see the valley of New Zealand’s most photographed mountain (Sinbad Gully is at the base of Mitre Peak) become a sanctuary for native species. - Bowen Falls - The stunning Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall. It plunges 162m from a hanging valley into the head of Milford Sound and provides electricity for the Milford Sound township by feeding a small hydroelectric scheme, as well as being the water source for the settlement.
What's Included
- Informative commentary by local coach driver
- FREE Tea & Coffee
- USB charging ports on board coach
- Specialist nature guide commentary on cruise
- Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- Return transport from Queenstown on premium coach
- Freshly prepared Lunch
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.
Additional Information
Travel comfortably with the original cruise operator of Milford Sound in our low emission vehicles. Marvel at the breathtaking, unobstructed landscapes during your trip to Milford Sound. Benefit from engaging narration and experience the premium stops and short strolls we offer en route as you conveniently transition to your Milford Sound cruise.
Uncover the indigenous fauna, grand waterfalls, and majestic mountains on our extended Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Feel the awe-inspiring rock walls’ proximity and experience the overwhelming power of the ancient, 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls waterfall. Trained nature experts onboard to share vibrant and informative insights about the region.
Includes delectable and freshly made Lunch in addition to complimentary tea and coffee on the cruise, and a licensed bar available onboard.
- Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
- Appropriate child restraints are NOT provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared.
Location
Southern Discoveries - Queenstown Visitor Centre
Beach Street
Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (110 Beach Street, Queenstown) to check in for your trip.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(338 Ratings)
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Claudialovetravel
Jun 9, 2024
A tour that you will never regret! - It was a fantastic trip so I have to write my first review online.
We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to our coach driver, Paul Brown. We feel blessed to have had him today. Brownie is undoubtedly the best coach driver and tour guide we've had. His professionalism and wealth of knowledge were incredibly impressive.
Besides, Souther Discoveries offer lots of good deals on their webpage, it's even cheaper than the third party webpage that I booked with. I wish I knew it earlier.
Southern Discoveries and Brownie created unforgettable family memories for me and my family. We hope that more people will have the opportunity to experience the amazing service that we had today. We will definitely recommend their service to you. I have to share with you that Queenstown is now our favorite holiday destination. #SouthernDiscoveries #SDShareandWin
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Xantippy
Jun 7, 2024
Great to leave the driving to Sonya & enjoy the beautiful drive - Sonya was our coach driver, and she was great. In addition to driving us safely to/from the sound, she provided information along the way, and gave us great suggestions for our remaining stay in the Queenstown area (try the awesome "blue cod" at one of the local restaurants). It is a long drive to/from the Sound so it was a blessing to take a bus so we could nap on the return trip (as most in the bus did).
The drive to/from the Sound was beautiful, and it doubled as time to mentally prepare for driving on the left side of the road for when we later rented a car. The cruise on Milford Sound was also nice, although we actually enjoyed the drive to/from the Sound as much or more than the Sound itself. The Sound is beautiful, but it didn't seem any more spectacular than Alaska. Maybe it's because we were there in May (fall) when there are not as many waterfalls tumbling into the sound.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raymond_p
Jun 1, 2024
Queenstown at its' best. - The beautiful scenery , very knowledgeable driver and enough time given to view the sights properly.
Review provided by Viator
Ukusanz
May 30, 2024
Mr. Keith was the best - I joined to tour the next day I arrived in New Zealand. Although the weather wasn't good, I had a great time. Milford Sound was stunning, even in the rain. Our guide/driver Keith was very knowledgeable, attention to details and had a good sense of humor. He is definitely one of the best guide for Milford Sound tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liu_z
May 3, 2024
Listen to the Milford Sound - There are lots of splendid visions on the road：the rain，the mount，the blue fiord，the wind，which make me excited. Anyway，this is unforgettable travel.
Review provided by Viator
Wayne-librarian
Apr 28, 2024
All that we had hoped…and more - After an early morning pickup near our hotel, drive/guide Keith proved an excellent driver and tour guide whose knowledge was encyclopedic. It revealed how much he loves this spectacular land and his desire to share it.
The four hour coach ride was punctuated with well timed and selected stops as we wound our way through the valleys and climbed into to mountains before the drop down into Milford Sound.
That’s when the ‘spectacularity’ really ramped up.
We picked a perfect day. As we are here in shoulder season, we were able to make our reservations just a few days ahead for the day with the best forecast.
And it was…the best day!
Our buffet lunch was delicious. The waterfalls were everywhere. And the stop at the underwater observatory was interesting if not awe inspiring. I’m glad we did it.
Highly recommend this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anonymous855
Apr 30, 2024
Tour driver, Paul, shared great Maori legends & stories en route...extra nice - Our tour was on time and that is the result of Paul being very conscientious. His storytelling was delightful and helped the long bus trip move along quicker. The bus had a sun roof and we stopped for restroom breaks frequently. Overall, it was a good experience. Lunch buffet was good and well supplied and we were incredibly fortunate to have beautiful weather. The only way to add the last star was to give us more time on the actual boat. We were out and back at the dock too quickly for me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_b
May 17, 2024
Underwellmed - Personally think it’s overrated after hearing about it from other people, 12 1/2 hr day round trip , coach driver was great , very knowledgeable with great commentary, after driving in decided to fly back 1 hr trip and to get a greater overview of the area
Review provided by Viator
Loretta
May 3, 2024
Bus journey was great.. but the boat was overcrowded. - We did this tour on Friday,
The day before we were phoned by the company offering us a free upgrade to view the underwater observation place. We accepted gratefully. But unfortunately it was not mentioned on the day?
The bus ride there and back again was fantastic. Roland was a great driver and told us very interesting things about the area.
The actual boat ride was crammed with to many people. A very large group of people were singing loudly in their own language and dancing on board and not to be outdone another group decided to have their own singing and dancing show. Because of these people we were not able to hear the commentary by the on board crew about the area and waterfalls.
Unfortunately we did not enjoy the experience as much as we had hoped we would.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q6451fbtrevort
Apr 29, 2024
Safety warning. - The coach driver was not very professional. The boat trip was great a 5 plus.
The coach trip was very stressfull.
In the first 30 minutes of our trip the coach driver had whilst driving the bus.
Received and carried out a phone call.
Kept reading his day/run sheet, taking his eyes off the road.
Kept turning around to talk to a passenger who he obviously knew. This passenger was seated in the first row near the door. When the passenger spoke he would look directly at them.
I did not feel safe and spent the whole trip watching the driver ready to yell at him if he was about to run off the road.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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