Milford Sound Day Trip: Coach, Cruise and Underwater Exploration with Lunch from Te Anau
5.0
20 Ratings
Te Anau
Embark on an immersive Milford Sound day trip from Te Anau. Cruise through stunning landscapes, explore the underwater observatory, and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.
Duration:
13 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Te Anau - Your journey starts here. Set off on a day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound and enjoy a more intimate experience of Milford Sound. Discover the native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains of the fiord on an intimate cruise on a smaller boat.
- 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.
- The Chasm Walk - Should weather and time permit, enjoy a short walk here as a part of your Milford Sound day trip with Southern Discoveries. Dramatic views of a rock chasm and waterfalls formed by the rushing waters of the Cleddau River. This is an easy walk along a well maintained trail and is approximately 20 minutes in length.
- 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 takah 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.
- Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre - Your nature experience starts here. Board your Southern Discoveries vessel and find a seat in front of one of the many full size windows as the beauty begins to unravel around you. Cruise on our small boat while our on board nature guide chats with you and answer questions. Drink glacial water, touch natural artifacts and get under massive waterfalls.
- 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.
- Milford Sound - Journey through spectacular landscapes as your experienced, local coach driver provides engaging and informative commentary. Take in some of the best photo stops and short walks on the road to Milford Sound.
- Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Underwater Observatory - The adventure continues at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory where you can experience the amazing world beneath the surface. Descend 64 steps (10 metres) underwater into a large viewing area where windows open your eyes to this underwater haven.
- Bowen Falls - The permanent Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall at 162m. Not only breathtakingly beautiful, without it Milford Sound couldn’t operate; with it being their sole source of power and water. She quadruples in volume during Milford’s epic storms - one of the best ways to truly enjoy the falls is to stand on the foreshore to feel the spray.
What's Included
- Savor a freshly prepared picnic lunch, complete with coffee and tea.
- Learn about the area with informative commentary from a local coach driver.
- Explore the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory for unique underwater views.
- Enjoy a two-hour nature cruise in Milford Sound with insightful commentary from a knowledgeable skipper.
- Convenient return transport from Te Anau to Milford Sound on a premium coach.
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by yourselves.
Additional Information
We invite you to partake in the most comprehensive and genuine Milford Sound day adventure. It’s the only day excursion from Te Anau that includes a stop at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory.
Embark on the most thorough day adventure in Fiordland National Park from Te Anau. Enjoy the comfort of your seat as your proficient driver maneuvers the Milford Road. Traverse through extraordinary natural terrains as your local bus driver delivers captivating and insightful narratives and takes you to the top-rated short walks and photo spots en route.
Upon reaching Milford, board our smaller vessel, the Milford Sound Discover More Cruise. Immerse in awe-inspiring scenic panoramas and get close to imposing rock walls and waterfalls. Our specialist skippers will impart their local expertise.
At the underwater observatory, go down 10 metres beneath the surface to observe the indigenous marine life and elusive black coral. A scrumptious picnic lunch is provided.
- 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.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
- Coach commentary highlights. • Free Multi-language commentary app provides informative commentary along the Milford Sound road on our Coach. • It is recommended to download the app prior to the journey. It is available in English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, Korean (South Korea), Portuguese, Spanish • Includes 30 sections of commentary from Queenstown through to Milford Sound. • Guests are required to use their own headphones when using the app on the coach. We will be running a live English commentary and want to minimise disruption to other passengers. • The app is not available for the Cruise component.
Location
80 Lakefront Drive
Lakefront Drive
Southern Discoveries Te Anau Visitor Centre, 80 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, 9600
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
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180sheilah
Mar 22, 2024
Fantastic Experience - The whole trip was well planned, with interesting talks and amazing views. Fantastic day out and would thoroughly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jillwv4349zh
Mar 22, 2024
Great trip - First class operation from being picked up in Te Anau. Our driver, Keith was incredibly knowledgeable about the whole route to Milford Sound and gave us lots of interesting facts and figures about New Zealand’s history. Great photo stops and Keith gave us good advice about the best places to take the photos.
Great cruise, again very communicative Captain who gave us lots of interesting information throughout. The underwater observatory was well worth the visit, saw lots of fish, starfish, coral and even a diving seal! Picnic lunch was substantial and the complimentary tea and coffee on the boat was a nice bonus. No complaints at all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lesley_j
Feb 27, 2024
The pouring rain making... - The pouring rain making the hills look as if they were made of water. Incidentally this made for no biting bugs but spectacular scenery. Marvellous commentary from our driver Keith
Review provided by Viator
France456
Feb 20, 2024
Fantastic day out - Absolutely fantastic day out. Jamie our driver/guide was great, really friendly and knowledgeable. We had plenty of stops on the drive to Milford Sound to take photos. The boat trip & observatory were well worth doing, the scenery is spectacular. The picnic lunch was also very good!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vanessa_v
Jan 30, 2024
Excellent tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound - Excellent driver/tour guide. Humorous,well informed very entertaining.
Milford Sound very atmospheric and the Underwater Observatory very interesting
Review provided by Viator
Fearless07515087334
Dec 27, 2023
Amazing - Amazing views all the way through…. ❤️. Definitely one of top wonders in the world. Also had a chance to visit underwater observatory, to look into deep of lake and saw few fishes there. Totally best experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kenneth_l
Dec 16, 2023
Exceptional guide to a majestic and magnificent site! - Bus ride from Te Anau to Milford Sound was comfortable.
Boat ride was superb! Getting up close to waterfalls and getting drenched was a wonderful experience!
Guests who wish to stay dry might want to stay indoors when nearing the waterfalls. But my advice: If there ever was one time you want to get drenched whilst decked in jacket and pants, let it be this!
The underwater observatory made the tour special. I dont think other similar tours offer this. But be prepared to descend 60 steps and ascend the same 60 steps to get back to the boat.
Lunch on board the boat was so-so. Do bring along your own sandwiches if you want to.
Special mention to our bus driver Jamie! He was knowledgeable and able to share his experience in a very entertaining manner!
Review provided by Viator
H8383yaalisons
Dec 15, 2023
Milford Sound adventure. - Great family day, good lunch pack amazing underwater observatory. Enthusiastic knowledgeable staff. Loved the kayak as well. Seems expensive but not so bad with all that was included.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joanag1952hf
Dec 11, 2023
The Amazing Sound - Everything from beginning to end was amazing!! The location of the bus was very easy to find and the company was very welcoming. The bus was very comfortable and the bus driver was great! He was very informative as well as entertaining. When we arrived at Milford Sound it took our breath away. It cannot be put into words. The boat ride and tour was A plus. The lunch was very good. So much food. One of our party members had the vegetarian and said it was wonderful. I would highly recommend this tour and Southern Discovery.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explorer50134511412
Nov 8, 2023
A MUST DO Experience - Stunning trip into the Sound complimented by a magnificent cruise. The mountains were majestic, and we appreciated the commentary. Would have liked more information on the engineering factors associated with the observatory as it is very unique. A huge thank you to Southern Discoveries, your staff did you proud! A MUST DO experience for everyone
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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