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SOUTHERN LAKES / THE EXPERIENCE

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

4.6out of 5, 572 reviews 13 hours Free cancellation

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BEFORE YOU GO

Your day, at a glance.

Duration
13 hours
Group size
Up to 48 people
Guide
English
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Our take

awesomeNZ runs a 13 hour glass roof coach day from Queenstown with up to 48 passengers, with a picnic lunch, WiFi and gratuities included, plus hotel transfers from selected properties. Otherwise you meet at the Athol Street bus stop 15 minutes before departure. The listing gives about 1 hour 30 minutes at Milford for the cruise, with stops at Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek and the Homer Tunnel. It has about 570 reviews averaging around 4.6.

The Beachpackers took this tour: a 6:30am pickup downtown, commentary from the guide most of the way, and back at sunset after about 12 hours. Their one complaint was leaving the Eglinton Valley too soon. On our Milford Sound day trip comparison it's the glass roof coach with lunch in the price, a better deal than GreatSights'. Some marketing calls it small group, but the listing's maximum is 48.

Good for

  • Travellers who want the glass roof and lunch in one price
  • Anyone staying at one of the listed pickup hotels

Think twice if

  • You want a genuinely small group
  • You'd like the full 2 hours on the water

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

Experience stunning scenery on an unforgettable day trip to Milford Sound. The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in the south west of the South Island, and is famed for its remote atmosphere and rugged beauty. It is New Zealand’s best known fiord and the only one that can be reached by road. Maori are believed to have discovered Milford Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to collect the prized pounamu (greenstone). In the early 1800s John Grono was the first European settler to land in the sound, which he named after Milford Haven in Wales. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather. Cliffs rise high into the air from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards, some as high as 1000 metres.

From the listing by awesomeNZ Milford Sound Day Tour on Viator.

The tour, stop by stop

  1. Shaped like a lightening blot, Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's third largest lake. You will be able to see views of the lake as you depart Queenstown.
  2. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather. Cliffs rise high into the air from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards, some as high as 1000 metres. When it rains in Milford Sound (and it often does) those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect. See the mirror lakes of Earl Mountains About 10 min.
  3. A chance to fill up your water bottles with incredibly fresh Glacier feed water About 10 min.
  4. This is weather dependent, photo stop of valley tunnel About 10 min.
  5. Discover this remote and beautiful Fiord with a day tour and cruise Including Lunch. The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in the south west of the South Island, and is famed for its remote atmosphere and rugged beauty. It is New Zealand’s best known fiord and the only one that can be reached by road. Maori are believed to have discovered Milford Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to collect the prized pounamu (greenstone). In the early 1800s John Grono was the first European settler to land in the sound, which he named after Milford Haven in Wales. About 90 min.

What's included

  • Picnic lunch
  • Glass-roof coach transport with free WiFi
  • Hotel transfers (selected properties)
  • Milford Sound scenic cruise

Not included

  • Gratuities

Meeting point

Bus stop Athol St in middle of the carpark (all-day parking is NOT available here)

Please arrive 15minutes prior to departure time.

Checking in

Before you Go, If you have any questions or comments prior to your departure including hotel pick ups or dietary requirements please call us on 0800 744 487 free phone in New Zealand or + 649 583 5790. We are open between 0630 to 1800

Please show your reservation number to the driver on the day.

Where it ends

Bus stop Athol St in middle of the carpark (all-day parking is NOT available here)

Please arrive 15minutes prior to departure time.

Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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 Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown, enlarged photo