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SOUTHERN LAKES / THE EXPERIENCE

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback

4.3out of 5, 45 reviews 9 hours Free cancellation

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BEFORE YOU GO

Your day, at a glance.

Duration
9 hours
Group size
Up to 40 people
Guide
English
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Our take

Southern Discoveries' coach in, fly back trip leaves 110 Beach Street at 7am, drives the Milford Road with commentary, includes a 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise and a freshly made lunch, then flies you from Milford back to Queenstown. The listing puts the day at about 9 hours. Passenger weights are needed at booking, and confirmation can take up to 48 hours.

On our Milford Sound day trip comparison it's a text link rather than a card: a variant of the Southern Discoveries coach with only 45 reviews, averaging around 4.3. The listing says it runs in all weather but gives no plan for when cloud grounds the flight, and reviewers describe weather cancellations with mixed refunds. Ask what happens if the flight can't go before you pay the higher fare. Parents must bring child seats.

Good for

  • Travellers who want the road one way and the view from above on the way back
  • Anyone who'd rather skip the 5 hour return drive

Think twice if

  • Your schedule can't absorb a weather change
  • You want a well established review record

Written by Southern Lakes Tours from the listing, traveller reviews and the videos behind our comparison pages. Checked November 2026. How we review tours.

From the operator

Journey in comfort on one of our brand new, low-emission coaches and take in incredible panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. Enjoy entertaining commentary, and let us show you the best stops along the way as you connect seamlessly to your Milford Sound cruise.

Discover native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains on our extended Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and close enough to feel the full force the powerful 15,000-year old Stirling Falls. Specialist nature guide on board shares their local knowledge with lively and informative commentary. This day trip includes a freshly prepared lunch on-board your cruise.

Return to Queenstown by a breath-taking scenic flight, and enjoy views of the pristine alpine lakes and waterfalls that Fiordland National Park is recognised for.

From the listing by Southern Discoveries on Viator.

The tour, stop by stop

  1. Trip departs Queenstown at 6.45am. Travel on a brand new, premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air conditioning, USB charging ports and on board toilet. Enjoy as your local coach driver provides you with interesting and informative commentary as the breath-taking scenery unfolds around you. They'll show you all the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road. This coach will connect with our 1hr 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise. After your cruise, you will meet your pilot and make your way to the Milford Sound Airport for a truly unforgettable Scenic Flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown. The ultimate Milford Sound experience! About 20 min.
  2. 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. About 30 min.
  3. 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. About 10 min.
  4. 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. About 15 min.
  5. 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). About 10 min.
  6. Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
  7. 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.
  8. 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. About 10 min.
  9. 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.
  10. 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. About 150 min.

What's included

  • Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
  • Freshly made Lunch
  • Return Scenic Flight to Queenstown
  • 1 Hour 45 Minute Milford Sound Nature Cruise
  • FREE tea and coffee on board cruise
  • Specialist nature commentary onboard cruise
  • Transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium coach

Not included

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Meeting point

Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (110 Beach Street, Queenstown) to check in for your trip. Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.

Checking in

  • 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.
  • Please make sure you are at your required pickup location at least 15mins prior to departure..
  • A smaller vehicle which does not feature a glass roof may be used with smaller groups for a more personalised experience.
  • All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

Where it ends

Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (110 Beach Street, Queenstown) to check in for your trip. Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.

Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.

Good to know

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
  • All passenger weights MUST be advised 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.
  • Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.

Cancellation

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

How refunds and weather cancellations work is on our booking help page.

How it compares

We compare this tour with the other options on our day trips from queenstown page, with what each one includes and where it leaves from. How we choose tours.

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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback, enlarged photo