Full-Day Milford Sound Exploration: Cruise and Nature Walks from Te Anau
4.9
453 Ratings
Te Anau
Embark on a full-day adventure to Milford Sound from Te Anau. Cruise along the fiord, explore nature walks, and capture stunning photographs with a small group tour.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Milford Sound - Departing from Te Anau, travel in a small group (maximum 15 people) along the scenic Milford Road through the heart of Fiordland National Park. Your local driver/guide will share their knowledge and entertaining stories along the may.

On reaching Milford Sound enjoy a 2-hour small boat cruise to the Tasman Sea. With excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time to enjoy the waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife.

Exploring on foot with a walk in Fiordland is a must, even if it is only a few hundred meters. We stop often to ensure you won’t miss a thing!
Enjoy a series of short guided walks and scenic photo stops on the journey. Lots of opportunities are made for you to experience this natural wonderland with all your senses.
Hike in a the range of different environments, from lush forests to magnificent alpine areas carved by glaciers long ago and discover the native birds, such as the cheeky kea. We will tailor the day to the weather and seasonal highlights to ensure your day makes the most of this incredible world heritage area.

What's Included
  • Sightseeing boat cruise
  • Te Anau accommodation pickup and drop-off (if advised)
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon or morning tea
  • Guided and Self-Guided Walking tours
  • Modern air conditioned minivan (max 15)
  • Local driver/guide
What's Not Included
  • Queenstown pick ups - the tour departs from Te Anau
Additional Information

Take pleasure in a sociable, intimate group (limit of 15 individuals) day trip to Milford Sound from Te Anau, inclusive of a compact boat ride traversing the total expanse of the fjord and reaching the Tasman Sea. Our leisurely schedule guarantees ample chances for visitors to embark on brief hikes, take photos at rest-stops, and discover the area with the guidance of a nature expert.

  • Please come dressed for all weather the tour operates in all weather conditions! A good rain coat and practical shoes are a must when traveling in Fiordland.
  • Please bring any medication you may require during they day.
  • Please note this tour departs from Te Anau, not Queenstown. Allow 2.5 hours to drive safely from Queenstown to Te Anau, find a park and meet at the central meeting point
Location
Fiordland Community Events Centre
Luxmore Drive
If you have not selected your accommodation please meet us at the Event Center, there is plenty of free all day parking here for any vehicle. Please wait on the steps of the facility, or where we can see you, thank you.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(453 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Devinbarricklow
Jun 11, 2024
Great experience - The tour was awesome, well worth the money!!! Our tour guide Jonathan was great and really knowledgeable about the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_v
May 28, 2024
A great day in every way! - Really great day! The guide stopped at several beautiful outlooks along the way, making the trip engaging the whole time - no pong boring van ride! The day was well timed, lunch was great, and the sights were varied and absolutely incredible. Definitely recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Jet55780026994
May 25, 2024
Miharo/Outstanding - Ticked off a bucket list today. The experience was amazing. The guide was lovely, we saw heaps of kea, the landscape spectacular, enjoyed every moment.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marissa_l
May 23, 2024
10/10 Experience - Geoff was absolutely incredible!!! I could not recommend this trip more- I learned so much about Fiordland National Park!! Just a lovely person and absolute stunning views!!
Review provided by Viator
O8990ddpaulc
May 22, 2024
Awesome tour to an amazing place with a wonderful guide. - We did the Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Walk tour with Trips and Tramps. Our guide Jeff (pronounced Jiff in NZ - so that’s how I’ll write it from now on) told us to make sure we include any negative feedback in any review we might leave, as that is how the company improves - by acting upon feedback and then striving to improve clients’ experiences - right down to what they might provide guests for lunch. How good is that - how honest! So here is the negative feedback… Now onto the positive feedback. This trip, with this tour company, with this tour guide is something you don’t want to miss out on. The comfortable, warm, modern bus that took us to Milford Sound arrived on time with a happy and friendly guide (Jiff) greeting us and immediately making us feel at ease. The group was small, enabling us to get to know each other and allowing Jiff to relate to each of us more intimately, answering questions as required, telling endless stories about the history, the geology, the ecology, the natural environment and it’s flora and fauna, whilst constantly delivering one ‘Dad’ joke after another. The journey to Milford Sound was awesome. We were ahead of the big tours and so our stops for sightseeing weren’t overwhelmed by huge crowds. And Jiff knew exactly the best times and places to stop and look at particular sites, tailoring stops dependent upon weather and predicted crowds. Having grown up in the region, his knowledge of the area is limitless. He must deliver the same stories everyday to every different tour group and yet he managed to make us feel that we were the most important group he’d ever had. That is the mark of someone who truly loves his work. Arriving at the terminal at exactly the right time, not a minute early or late, we boarded free of any crowds and enjoyed the spectacular Milford Sound on a smaller vessel, with our very own dolphin accompanying us on our entire journey. Milford Sound is every bit as spectacular as you have been told. It is breathtaking. The vessel was clean and comfortable with free tea and coffee. We met up with Jiff again after the cruise and he offered us the chance to fly up to the glacier adjacent to Milford Sound. He seemed to know everyone there, including the helicopter pilot who dutifully flew us up to stand on top of the world (or so it seemed). It was an amazing experience (but at an additional charge of course - well worth it!) that was an exhilarating add-on. Thank you Jiff for organising that for us. The trip back to Te Anau was every bit as informative and entertaining as the trip to Milford Sound. There are so many places to stop and look at incredibly spectacular scenery and Jiff knows them all. In summary - if you’re visiting New Zealand and you don’t do this tour with this tour company and hopefully with this guide (Jiff), you are seriously missing out. Just do it. 10 out of 10 Trips and Tramps. My only criticism is that Trip Advisor only allows 5 stars. I’d give more if I could.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Holli_k
May 9, 2024
Small Group- Best Decision - This day was truly a dream. Obviously Milford Sound is an absolute must see in New Zealand and this tour really made it a wonderful experience. I had read that the tours from Queenstown were just way too long and you couldn’t make stops along the way… I am so glad I listened! The small group tour from Te Anau was the perfect way to enjoy this jewel. Our guide Geoff was wonderful and funny. He was very knowledgeable and kept the van engaged and kept us safe along the road! Why would you want to drive that road when you really need to be able to look out the window the entire time- this tour was a great decision and I highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Discover03652807268
May 7, 2024
All about Fiordland in a day - Jeff was a fantastic guide. He showed us what the Fiordland looks like in a day; had stops in many fascinating places and educating us about from native birds Kia, Blue duck to the history of first settlers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Est311
May 5, 2024
Nature enthusiasts, this is for you! - What an amazing tour! Our guide was so knowledgeable and kind. The food was spectacular and very filling. We got to see lots of beautiful hidden spots, dolphins, seals, a wild male kea, and waterfalls! Don’t waste your time looking at any other tours, this is THE tour to book!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mobile15188124167
Apr 27, 2024
Outstanding day trip - Absolutely loved everything about the trip. Local knowledge was outstanding and the stops made were beautiful. Could not have planned this ourselves. Would highly recommend doing the small group tour to truly enjoy Milford Sound
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Assunta_c
Apr 21, 2024
Awesome day out - Row was our guide. She was very knowledgeable, and funny making the day a whole lot of fun. Highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 14 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today