/
New Zealand
/
Otago
/
Queenstown Lakes District
/
Queenstown
/
Tours & Activities
/
Milford Sound Coach Tour with Lunch from Queenstown
1 day
Popular
Lunch
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: GreatSights, Carpark 9-11 Athol Street, Queenstown 9300 New Zealand
Tour departs from this location
Duration: 1 minute
Pass By: Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown New Zealand
oLake Wakatipu is the longest lake in New Zealand and the third largest. Wakatipu is a Maori word meaning, ‘Hollow of the Demon’. The lake has an unusual rhythmic rise and fall in the water level, approximately 12cm every 5 minutes. In Maori legend this strange rhythmic rise and fall of the water level, is said to be the beating heart of a monster from the deep depths of the lake.
Stop At: Kiwi Country, Town Centre, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9600 New Zealand
Te Anau is known as the Walking Capital of the World. The mountains to the left are the Kepler Mountains, home of the Kepler Track, one of the popular walking tracks in the area. Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park. The town has a permanent population of approximately 2,500 people but this fluctuates greatly in summer when the town gets an influx of fishermen, hunters, outdoor pursuit seekers and holiday makers. It’s a popular holiday destination. We stop here for morning & afternoon breaks and comfort stops.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Eglinton Valley, Milford Sound New Zealand
Eglington Valley is named by Quintin MacKinnon, who named the valley after the Earl of Eglington of Scotland. We will be following the Eglington River whose source is the small lake of Lake Fergus, which is situated in the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. The glacial valley of the Eglington is not only a truly magnificent place for photos, but also a perfect place to put the size of this valley into perspective. The distance from this road to the base of the tree-line; out to the left is 2.4km. An extremely large glacier was responsible for clearing out this valley thousands of years ago. Everything in this region is huge so it is very easy to lose perspective of this as we travel through the mountains
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Mirror Lakes Walk, Milford Road,, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Mirror Lakes where most of the time the nearby mountains are reflected in the lakes. Being small, the lakes have less chance of being roughened by the winds compared to their larger counterparts and the large quantity of tannins leached from the soil into the waters give these lakes a much clearer mirror effect than many of the other lakes in the region. It is here you have the opportunity to walk along a boardwalk listening for Bellbirds and Tui’s which are protected native birds, whilst watching Black Scaups dive for food on the bottom of the lake between the various species of beech trees. These forests are said to be 135 million years old. We will drop you off at one end of the walkway and you can re-join the coach in 10 minutes at the far end of the board walk if you wish to go for a walk.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Knobs Flat, Fiordland National Park 9679, New Zealand
Knobs Flat is the camp or home for the road workers who spend 365 days a year ensuring the road is maintained and safe for travel, especially during autumn, winter and early spring; this is essential due to avalanche risks. The Earl Mountain Range is off to our left, in the distance is the Eglington River and the Livingstone Mountains are on our right. Knobs Flat takes its name from the glacial hillocks that protrude up from the valley like sand dunes as a reminder of glacial windblown moraine. In the forest areas around here you will often see pink, blue and orange ribbons attached to trees. These are markers; part of the Department of Conservation eradication programmes
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Mitre Peak, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed peaks in the country. Part of the reason for its iconic status is its location. Close to the shore of Milford Sound, in the Fiordland National Park in the southwestern South Island, it is a stunning sight. The mountain rises near vertically to 5,560 feet (1,690 m), i.e. just over a mile, from the water of Milford Sound, which technically is a fjord. The peak is actually a closely grouped set of five peaks, with Mitre Peak not even the tallest one, however from most easily accessible viewpoints, Mitre Peak appears as a single point. Milford Sound is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO.
Pass By: Homer Tunnel, 94 S.h., Milford Sound New Zealand
As we head up towards the Homer Tunnel, on the right hand side you can see the remains of a camp including the oven in which the meals and bread were cooked. The shed to the left was designed to house the snow plough and was built in 1983. After its construction it was found that the doorway had not been made wide enough and the plough was not able to be housed there. It is now kept at the camp at Knobs Flat. The building today is known as the Chapel as it is one of the few areas of this region that has never been affected by avalanche.
Stop At: Monkey Creek, Milford Sound New Zealand
Monkey Creek is named after one of three Government employees entrusted yearly to camp here and find a path through the mountains. Eventually his monkey like climbing skills allowed him to find a path, which though not particularly safe, was used for many years for guided walking tours. It is here we have the opportunity to drink the water or full your water bottles. Because this water is flowing directly from the mountains it is one of the few remaining places it is safe to taste fresh water without contamination and you realise without chemicals doesn’t really have a taste but is extremely refreshing. Be careful filling your water bottles because the water is very cold. Also don’t be surprised if a Kea or two drop in to say hello!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Milford Sound, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9679 New Zealand
Our Premium Cruise vessel has been specifically designed to capture the views of Milford Sound with its unique glass roof and large viewing decks. The ‘Gem of the Sound’ offers an outstanding experience never seen in Milford Sound with an exceptional level of comfort and hospitality. A selection of snacks and noodles can be purchased on board along with a wide range of drinks from New Zealand and around the world. Visit the stunning Milford Sound on board an equally premium vessel that will look after you and your unique experience.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Stop At: Kiwi Country, Town Centre, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9600 New Zealand
Te Anau is known as the Walking Capital of the World. The mountains to the left are the Kepler Mountains, home of the Kepler Track, one of the popular walking tracks in the area. Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park. The town has a permanent population of approximately 2,500 people but this fluctuates greatly in summer when the town gets an influx of fishermen, hunters, outdoor pursuit seekers and holiday makers. It’s a popular holiday destination. We stop here for morning & afternoon breaks and comfort stops.
Duration: 15 minutes
Read more
Show less
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: GreatSights, Carpark 9-11 Athol Street, Queenstown 9300 New Zealand
Tour departs from this location
Duration: 1 minute
Pass By: Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown New Zealand
oLake Wakatipu is the longest lake in New Zealand and the third largest. Wakatipu is a Maori word meaning, ‘Hollow of the Demon’. The lake has an unusual rhythmic rise and fall in the water level, approximately 12cm every 5 minutes. In Maori legend this strange rhythmic rise and fall of the water level, is said to be the beating heart of a monster from the deep depths of the lake.
Stop At: Kiwi Country, Town Centre, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9600 New Zealand
Te Anau is known as the Walking Capital of the World. The mountains to the left are the Kepler Mountains, home of the Kepler Track, one of the popular walking tracks in the area. Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park. The town has a permanent population of approximately 2,500 people but this fluctuates greatly in summer when the town gets an influx of fishermen, hunters, outdoor pursuit seekers and holiday makers. It’s a popular holiday destination. We stop here for morning & afternoon breaks and comfort stops.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Eglinton Valley, Milford Sound New Zealand
Eglington Valley is named by Quintin MacKinnon, who named the valley after the Earl of Eglington of Scotland. We will be following the Eglington River whose source is the small lake of Lake Fergus, which is situated in the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. The glacial valley of the Eglington is not only a truly magnificent place for photos, but also a perfect place to put the size of this valley into perspective. The distance from this road to the base of the tree-line; out to the left is 2.4km. An extremely large glacier was responsible for clearing out this valley thousands of years ago. Everything in this region is huge so it is very easy to lose perspective of this as we travel through the mountains
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Mirror Lakes Walk, Milford Road,, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Mirror Lakes where most of the time the nearby mountains are reflected in the lakes. Being small, the lakes have less chance of being roughened by the winds compared to their larger counterparts and the large quantity of tannins leached from the soil into the waters give these lakes a much clearer mirror effect than many of the other lakes in the region. It is here you have the opportunity to walk along a boardwalk listening for Bellbirds and Tui’s which are protected native birds, whilst watching Black Scaups dive for food on the bottom of the lake between the various species of beech trees. These forests are said to be 135 million years old. We will drop you off at one end of the walkway and you can re-join the coach in 10 minutes at the far end of the board walk if you wish to go for a walk.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Knobs Flat, Fiordland National Park 9679, New Zealand
Knobs Flat is the camp or home for the road workers who spend 365 days a year ensuring the road is maintained and safe for travel, especially during autumn, winter and early spring; this is essential due to avalanche risks. The Earl Mountain Range is off to our left, in the distance is the Eglington River and the Livingstone Mountains are on our right. Knobs Flat takes its name from the glacial hillocks that protrude up from the valley like sand dunes as a reminder of glacial windblown moraine. In the forest areas around here you will often see pink, blue and orange ribbons attached to trees. These are markers; part of the Department of Conservation eradication programmes
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Mitre Peak, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed peaks in the country. Part of the reason for its iconic status is its location. Close to the shore of Milford Sound, in the Fiordland National Park in the southwestern South Island, it is a stunning sight. The mountain rises near vertically to 5,560 feet (1,690 m), i.e. just over a mile, from the water of Milford Sound, which technically is a fjord. The peak is actually a closely grouped set of five peaks, with Mitre Peak not even the tallest one, however from most easily accessible viewpoints, Mitre Peak appears as a single point. Milford Sound is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO.
Pass By: Homer Tunnel, 94 S.h., Milford Sound New Zealand
As we head up towards the Homer Tunnel, on the right hand side you can see the remains of a camp including the oven in which the meals and bread were cooked. The shed to the left was designed to house the snow plough and was built in 1983. After its construction it was found that the doorway had not been made wide enough and the plough was not able to be housed there. It is now kept at the camp at Knobs Flat. The building today is known as the Chapel as it is one of the few areas of this region that has never been affected by avalanche.
Stop At: Monkey Creek, Milford Sound New Zealand
Monkey Creek is named after one of three Government employees entrusted yearly to camp here and find a path through the mountains. Eventually his monkey like climbing skills allowed him to find a path, which though not particularly safe, was used for many years for guided walking tours. It is here we have the opportunity to drink the water or full your water bottles. Because this water is flowing directly from the mountains it is one of the few remaining places it is safe to taste fresh water without contamination and you realise without chemicals doesn’t really have a taste but is extremely refreshing. Be careful filling your water bottles because the water is very cold. Also don’t be surprised if a Kea or two drop in to say hello!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Milford Sound, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9679 New Zealand
Our Premium Cruise vessel has been specifically designed to capture the views of Milford Sound with its unique glass roof and large viewing decks. The ‘Gem of the Sound’ offers an outstanding experience never seen in Milford Sound with an exceptional level of comfort and hospitality. A selection of snacks and noodles can be purchased on board along with a wide range of drinks from New Zealand and around the world. Visit the stunning Milford Sound on board an equally premium vessel that will look after you and your unique experience.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Stop At: Kiwi Country, Town Centre, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9600 New Zealand
Te Anau is known as the Walking Capital of the World. The mountains to the left are the Kepler Mountains, home of the Kepler Track, one of the popular walking tracks in the area. Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park. The town has a permanent population of approximately 2,500 people but this fluctuates greatly in summer when the town gets an influx of fishermen, hunters, outdoor pursuit seekers and holiday makers. It’s a popular holiday destination. We stop here for morning & afternoon breaks and comfort stops.
Duration: 15 minutes
Included
- 1-hour 45-minute sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound
- Lunch - Buffet lunch
- Local guide
- Live commentary on board
- Glass-roofed coach with free WiFi
- Air-conditioning
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entry/Admission - Milford Sound
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
75%
Original
55%
Reviews
You may also like
See all 20 Collections
Click to discover other experiences
See all
Collections
Tandem Paragliding
5 Activities
Collections
Other Activities
38 Activities
Collections
Adrenaline
34 Activities
Collections
Canyon
18 Activities
Collections
Excursions From Queenstown
30 Activities
Collections
Jeep, Buggy & 4WD
27 Activities
Collections
Mount Cook
9 Activities
Collections
Wine Tour
34 Activities
Collections
Valleys
27 Activities
Collections
Alpine
8 Activities
Sensational scenery from luxury Coach all the way from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Our driver Eric was a very caring and gentle man concerned about our well being with a vast amount of knowledge of the history of the region, couldn't have asked for a better driver. He allowed us various photo opportunities ( spectacular ) and I'm a Kiwi plus toilet stops along the way. We were offered various options subject to weather for returning back to Queenstown 1, with him on the Coach,2, direct fixed wing 14 seater plane 3, Helicopter direct flight to Queenstown 4, Helicopter flying up close to Glaciers and landing on the top of a mountain getting and experiencing really what being on top of the world is like. My Partner and I took option 4 an absolute sensational experience a must do for the bucket list. The trip on the Milford Sounds was another experience second to none, close and personal to our New Zealand Fur Seal ,Close up and under various Waterfalls both sides of the Sounds, right out to the Tasman Sea. being the middle of winter was very cold however the lunch they supplied on board was way beyond our expectations and very much appreciated ( Hot Food ) warmed us up, we were dressed appropriately. Mitre Peak was only visible some of the time, probably the most photographed Mountain in New Zealand.The Juicy company boat we were on and the crew were excellent, the commentary from the captain was exceptional and informative. This is a must do experience for any New Zealander and any visitor from all corners of the Globe to partake in. Just Do It !!!!!!!
My husband and I had a great time on the tour. The bus driver Stew was fantastic and had alot of information to share. The bus was comfortable and we only had 25 passengers on a big bus so we weren't squashed together. The cruise through Milford Sound was amazing!!! The crew were super friendly and the buffet lunch was delicious! Overall an excellent experience from being picked up from our hotel to being dropped off. Would definitely recommend Great Sights tours for going to Milford Sound!!
Great experience of our prehistoric geology and connection with the mother nature. Great service from the Bus Driver and the Yacht Captain and the crew.
We loved our trip to Milford Sound. It is a bit of a drive, but we had an awesome bus driver who kept us entertained the whole time. We liked the stops on the bus that we made along the way. The boat ride was beautiful and very relaxing; out captain got us close to the waterfalls. The boat was very clean and very big. The buffet lunch (included in the price) was good.
Our trip was a 12 1/2 hour combines bus and boat cruise. It was fantastic. Our bus driver, Adrian, was perfect. He gave us information on the trip to Milford Sound and did it with enthusiasm and a sense of humour. The scenery is amazing with a combination of lakes, mountains, forests and farmland. Our stop in Te Anau was well timed after 3 hours on the bus. It’s a nice small town and the travel centre has great food and a wide selection of clothing. When we arrived at Milford Sound we were immediately put on a large catamaran power boat. They fed us a great meal as soon as we boarded. The cruise was stunning with mountains rising straight up out of the fiord. We saw many cascading waterfalls and got extrmely close to 2 of them. We saw fur seals sleeping on the rocks The trip home was uneventful, lots of snoozing, and we arrived at the predetermined time. Thanks for a wonderful day
Tour operator was well organized. Driver was informative outbound. It's a long trip getting there but driving on the left side through winding roads would be much more traumatic. Just as long a return drive of course! You need to have an appreciation of nature's majesty (or why else would you book such a tour?). The mountains and the Sound are remarkable to see. We were lucky and had no rain. The food on the boat is passable. Be kind to your fellow travellers and get back to the bus by the time he tells you to - you need to listen.
I like the tour very much. However, the bus driver was not safety-conscious. He drove the bus before passengers are seated, which cause one passage to fall.
Milford Sound has long been on to-do list but logistics of getting there were off—puttingHowever a comfortable coach, witty and knowledgeable driver and plenty of photo stops made the journey pass quickly. The cruise on the Sound was fantastic with the added bonus of a very high class buffet lunch
Great tour. On time pick-up, great driver and guide. Milford Sound there aren't any words that will do it justice, simply beautiful.
This was a great tour! Milford Sound was one of the highlights of our South Island tour. We wished we could have stayed longer! My biggest problem with this tour was the driver especially on the return trip luckily we sleep most of the way there. The driver chose to go very fast on very tiny 2 lane roads in a gigantic tour bus. This made me very queasy and I am not someone who gets car sick easily. I think we tried to do too much in the short time we had. Lunch was a bit later in the afternoon about 2 or so so make sure to bring a snack. The juicy cruise was awesome. The only downside is that it is really crowded. If we had chosen to do this on our own, I am sure it would have been easier to get pictures etc. The scenery of Milford Sound is well worth everything!
Milford Sound is amazing. The tour stopped along the way at 3 areas for photos, and that was good also. The boat trip on the Sound was superb, and due to the cancellation of one of the other tours, the boat was not crowded at all. The boat captain moved us up next to some seals, and at the mouth of the Sound, a school of dolphins joined us. He also steered the boat very close to one of the spectacular waterfalls. The weather, which can be quite variable, was perfect and quite warm for the time of year. On the negative side which was not really too bad, the bus ride there and back was long, the coach was large and almost completely full, and the driver seemed extremely fascinated by farming production costs and methods. In hindsight, we might have preferred a smaller scale transport, or we might even have decided to splurge on the return trip via plane.