Milford Sound Cruise & Milford Track Hike from Te Anau

Two of New Zealand's most famous walks in a single day, with the Milford road thrown in.

A full-day tour from Te Anau combining a Milford Sound nature cruise and a self-guided walk on the Milford Track, with return coach transfers and water taxi transport included. The cruise lasts up to two hours. The track walk covers 11km and takes three to four hours. A multilingual app guides you on the track, and a live English-speaking guide narrates the cruise. The day starts with a scenic drive through Fiordland National Park, including a stop at Mirror Lakes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Fiordland National Parkpass by
2. Mirror Lakes Walk5m
3. Milford Track4h · entry included

Milford Sound cruise and track hike

• Drive scenic Milford Sound Road
• Stop for short Mirror Lakes walk
• Join Milford Sound nature cruise
• Transfer to Deepwater basin
• Take water taxi to Milford Track start
• Hike Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls
• Return by water taxi to Deepwater basin
• Drive back to Te Anau

The experience

How do you fit two of New Zealand's most famous attractions into one day without driving yourself? This tour threads them together with coordinated transfers that handle all the logistics. You leave Te Anau in the morning, drive the Milford Sound Road with photo stops along the way, pause at Mirror Lakes for a short walk, then board the nature cruise at the fiord. The cruise runs up to two hours, and the crew shares stories about the geology while you watch for seals and dolphins and get close to the thundering waterfalls.

After the cruise, a water taxi takes you ten minutes across to Sandfly Point, where the Milford Track walk begins. You explore the track at your own pace (11km total, usually three to four hours) through ancient beech forest, listening for native birds and walking toward Giant Gate Falls. A multilingual app provides information as you go, so you're not dependent on a guide for the details. When you finish, the water taxi brings you back to Deepwater Basin, and your coach driver meets you there for the return to Te Anau.

The day is long and the walk is moderate: you'll need at least a moderate level of fitness, and the terrain is forest trail rather than alpine scramble. The route is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Lunch is not included but can be added at checkout if you want it.

What’s included

• Return coach transfer from Te Anau.
• scenic drive through Fiordland National Park with photo stops.
• five-minute walk at Mirror Lakes.
• Milford Sound nature cruise of up to two hours with live English-speaking guide.
• water taxi transport to and from the Milford Track.
• self-guided walk on the Milford Track (11km) with multilingual app information.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 200

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, German and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Southern Discoveries

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Te Anau or arriving without a car: the coach transfers mean you don't drive the Milford Sound Road yourself, and the coordinated schedule packs both attractions into one full day without gaps or backtracking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years); Infant (under 5).

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.

Can I do the Milford Track walk without the cruise, or do I have to book both?

This tour bundles both experiences in one day. The cruise and the track walk are coordinated stops on the same itinerary, so you book them together.

What's the Milford Track walk actually like, is it steep or technical?

The Milford Track walk covers 11km at a moderate pace through beech forest on a well-formed trail. It's not technical or scrambling, but you do need moderate fitness and three to four hours to complete it comfortably.

Do I need to bring my own lunch, or is food provided?

Lunch is not included in the standard tour, but you can add it at checkout. Many travelers pack their own or buy supplies in Te Anau before departure.

How much of the day is actually spent driving, and what's the Milford Sound Road like?

The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound takes most of the morning and includes photo stops at scenic points and a five-minute walk at Mirror Lakes. The Milford Sound Road itself is one of New Zealand's most scenic drives, and your coach driver handles all the driving so you can take in the views.

What language does the guide speak on the cruise?

The live guide on the Milford Sound cruise speaks English. The Milford Track walk uses a multilingual app, so you get information in your preferred language as you walk.