Milford Sound cruise from Queenstown: Glass-roof coach tour

Watch waterfalls and peaks unfold above you through a glass-roof coach on the way to Milford Sound.

A full-day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park combines a luxury coach journey through mountain valleys with a 1 hour 45 minute cruise on a glass-roofed vessel. You travel through the Eglinton Valley, stop at Mirror Lakes for a short walk among beech forests, and cruise past Mitre Peak and the fjord's waterfalls from both open decks and covered viewing areas.

Options for this experience

3 options

From NZ$ 299 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Tour & Cruise 07:20 Guide in English A full-day tour of Milford Sounds and Fiordland National Park, leaving from Queenstown. Covers a sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound.

Tour, cruise and picnic lunch 07:20 Guide in English A full-day tour of Milford Sounds and Fiordland National Park, leaving from Queenstown. Covers a sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound.

Tour, cruise and buffet lunch 07:20 Guide in English A full-day tour of Milford Sounds and Fiordland National Park, leaving from Queenstown. Covers a sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Milford Sound tour from Queenstown

• Depart from Queenstown
• View Lake Wakatipu
• Stop at Te Anau for breaks
• Travel through Eglinton Valley
• Walk at Mirror Lakes
• Refill water at Monkey Creek
• Pass Homer Tunnel area
• Enjoy Milford Sound cruise
• See Mitre Peak from cruise
• Return via Te Anau stops

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. Lake Wakatipu passing by
2. Eglinton Valley 10m
3. Mirror Lakes Walk 15m
4. Monkey Creek 15m
5. Homer Tunnel passing by
6. Mitre Peak passing by

What’s included

• Local guide with live commentary.
• air-conditioned glass-roofed coach with free WiFi.
• 1 hour 45 minute sightseeing cruise on the Pride of Milford with access to both covered viewing areas and open decks.
• optional picnic lunch or buffet lunch at checkout.

Times

• Every day 07:20

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Before you book

Group Up to 49 1 private ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Audio guide Spanish, German, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 8 with pickup ›

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (15 and older) · Child (under 15)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby

Operated by GreatSights

Prices and times updated today

Traveler reviews

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The experience

The day starts in Queenstown and follows Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake, toward Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Your local guide provides live commentary as the coach climbs into the mountains. The Eglinton Valley opens up with a 2.4-kilometer sight line to the tree-line, carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. At Mirror Lakes, you can walk a short boardwalk among 135-million-year-old beech forests and listen for native Bellbirds and Tui while Black Scaups dive in the water, or stay on the coach if you prefer. Monkey Creek offers fresh mountain water straight from the source: cold enough to refill bottles and sometimes visited by Kea birds.

The Homer Tunnel marks the final climb before Milford Sound. Once you board the Pride of Milford, the glass roof and large viewing decks let you see Mitre Peak and the fjord's waterfalls from inside the cabin or out on deck. The vessel carries snacks, noodles and drinks for purchase. The cruise lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, then the coach returns you to Queenstown. The full day runs 12 and a half hours door to door.

You can add a picnic lunch or buffet lunch at checkout. Contact the operator to confirm dietary preferences if you choose the picnic option. The air-conditioned coach has free WiFi, and the tour suits all fitness levels. Glass-roofed coaches may occasionally be replaced by standard coaches due to operational needs, though the operator prioritizes the glass roof when available.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 15).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the actual cruise on Milford Sound?

The cruise lasts 1 hour 45 minutes on the Pride of Milford, a glass-roofed vessel designed to view the fjord from both covered and open decks.

What is Mitre Peak and why is it worth seeing?

Mitre Peak rises nearly vertically 5,560 feet from the water of Milford Sound and is one of the most photographed mountains in New Zealand. It appears as a single point from most viewpoints, though it is actually five closely grouped peaks. The mountain sits on the shore of Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Do I have to walk at Mirror Lakes or can I stay on the coach?

The Mirror Lakes Walk is optional. The coach drops you at one end of the boardwalk and picks you up at the far end after about 10 minutes if you want to walk, or you can remain on board.

What is special about the water at Monkey Creek?

Monkey Creek water flows directly from the mountains and is one of the few remaining places in the region safe to drink without treatment. It is extremely cold and refreshing, and you can refill water bottles there.

What does the 12 and a half hour day include?

The full duration covers the coach journey from Queenstown through the mountains, stops at Te Anau, the Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek and Homer Tunnel, plus the 1 hour 45 minute cruise on Milford Sound and the return to Queenstown.