Milford Sound coach and cruise from Te Anau with lunch

Drive the Milford Road, then cruise beneath Stirling and Bowen Falls

A full-day coach and nature cruise tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, with return transport in a modern coach, a guided cruise of up to two hours, lunch, and free tea and coffee onboard. The driver provides live commentary in English on the drive out, and you can download a free multilingual app to hear the cruise narration in eight languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Eglinton Valley10m
2. Mirror Lakes Walk15m
3. Lake Gunnpass by
4. Monkey Creek15m
5. Homer Tunnelpass by
6. Milford Sound2h 20m
7. Bowen Fallspass by
8. Stirling Fallspass by
9. Fiordland National Park1h

Milford Sound coach and cruise tour

• Check in at Southern Discoveries location
• Depart from Te Anau town
• Stop at Eglinton Valley for photos
• Walk at Mirror Lakes if weather permits
• Pass by Lake Gunn
• Stop at Monkey Creek for water and kea spotting
• Drive through Homer Tunnel
• View Cleddau River along Milford Road
• Arrive at Milford Sound
• Board catamaran for Nature Cruise
• Enjoy views of Mitre Peak and waterfalls
• See wildlife like fur seals, dolphins, penguins
• View Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls
• Explore Fiordland National Park area
• Return to Te Anau

The experience

The day starts with a pickup from Te Anau and a drive south through Fiordland National Park on the Milford Road. Your coach driver shares stories of the area's history and ecology during the journey, with scheduled stops along the way: the Eglinton Valley with its glaciated walls and shingle riverbed, the Mirror Lakes Walk for reflections of the Earl Mountains, Lake Gunn, and Monkey Creek, where alpine keas often gather. The Homer Tunnel, completed in 1953 and carved through sheer rock at 945 metres above sea level, marks the final approach to Milford Sound.

At Milford Sound, you board a purpose-built catamaran for a nature cruise lasting up to two hours. The boat takes you close to Stirling Falls (151 metres high and three times the height of Niagara), and Bowen Falls, which plunges 162 metres into the fiord. Watch for fur seals, dolphins and the Fiordland crested penguin from the deck. Free tea and coffee are available onboard. You can pre-order a picnic lunch or choose from the buffet. The catamaran passes beneath Mitre Peak, Milford Sound's most photographed landmark, and explores the Sinbad Gully's steep granite walls.

The return journey follows the same route back to Te Anau, arriving in the late afternoon. The total trip is 8.5 hours. Download the free Southern Discoveries app before you go to access commentary in eight languages during the cruise. It's available on the App Store and Google Play. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent. The region operates in all weather, so dress for rain and wind. If you're traveling with infants or small children, note that appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator and must be supplied by you.

What’s included

• Return coach transport from Te Anau in a modern, spacious coach with excellent viewing.
• live English-speaking driver commentary on the Milford Road.
• scheduled stops at Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes Walk, Lake Gunn and Monkey Creek.
• Milford Sound nature cruise of up to two hours.
• freshly made lunch.
• free tea and coffee onboard the cruise.
• free multilingual app with eight-language commentary.
• close views of Stirling Falls, Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak.
• wildlife viewing opportunities for fur seals, dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2h before

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

GroupUp to 49

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendly

Operated by Southern Discoveries

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to experience Milford Sound without driving the Milford Road yourself. The coach handles the 8.5-hour day, the driver shares the landscape's history and ecology along the way, and the catamaran cruise brings you directly beneath the fiord's highest waterfalls. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase onboard if you want them.

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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.

What waterfalls will I see on the Milford Sound cruise?

Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls are the two main waterfalls you'll see from the catamaran. Stirling Falls drops 151 metres (three times the height of Niagara Falls), and the boat passes directly underneath it. Bowen Falls plunges 162 metres from a hanging valley and is Milford's highest waterfall.

What wildlife might I spot on this tour?

The cruise passes through habitat for fur seals, dolphins and the Fiordland crested penguin. On the drive, you may see alpine keas, New Zealand's native mountain parrots, especially at Monkey Creek, where they're commonly spotted.

Is lunch included, and what are my options?

Lunch is included and you can choose between a pre-ordered picnic lunch or the buffet available onboard the cruise. Free tea and coffee are also provided during the cruise.

How long is the coach drive each way on the Milford Road?

The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound takes several hours and includes stops at the Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, Monkey Creek and the Homer Tunnel. The total tour duration is 8.5 hours from pickup to return.

Can I understand the cruise commentary if I don't speak English?

Yes. While your coach driver provides live commentary in English, you can download the free Southern Discoveries app before the cruise to hear the catamaran's narration in eight languages. It's available on the App Store and Google Play.