Milford Sound Full-Day Tour from Te Anau
Overview
Inclusions
- 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound
- Lunch - Picnic Lunch
- Local guide
- Live commentary on board
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry/Admission - Milford sound Hwy
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Lake Te Anau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
o Te Anau is known as the Walking Capital of the World. The mountains to the left are the Kepler Mountains, home of the Kepler Track, one of the popular walking tracks in the area. Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park. The town has a permanent population of approximately 2, 500 people but this fluctuates greatly in summer when the town gets an influx of fishermen, hunters, outdoor pursuit seekers and holiday makers. It’s a popular holiday destination. We stop here for morning & afternoon breaks and comfort stops.
Duration: 1 minute
Stop At: Monkey Creek, Milford Sound New Zealand
o Monkey Creek is named after one of three Government employees entrusted yearly to camp here and find a path through the mountains. Eventually his monkey like climbing skills allowed him to find a path, which though not particularly safe, was used for many years for guided walking tours. It is here we have the opportunity to drink the water or full your water bottles. Because this water is flowing directly from the mountains it is one of the few remaining places it is safe to taste fresh water without contamination and you realise without chemicals doesn’t really have a taste but is extremely refreshing. Be careful filling your water bottles because the water is very cold. Also don’t be surprised if a Kea or two drop in to say hello!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mirror Lakes Walk, Milford Road, , Fiordland National Park New Zealand
o Mirror Lakes where most of the time the nearby mountains are reflected in the lakes. Being small, the lakes have less chance of being roughened by the winds compared to their larger counterparts and the large quantity of tannins leached from the soil into the waters give these lakes a much clearer mirror effect than many of the other lakes in the region. It is here you have the opportunity to walk along a boardwalk listening for Bellbirds and Tui’s which are protected native birds, whilst watching Black Scaups dive for food on the bottom of the lake between the various species of beech trees. These forests are said to be 135 million years old. We will drop you off at one end of the walkway and you can re-join the coach in 10 minutes at the far end of the board walk if you wish to go for a walk.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Homer Tunnel, 94 S.h., Milford Sound New Zealand
o As we head up towards the Homer Tunnel, on the right hand side you can see the remains of a camp including the oven in which the meals and bread were cooked. The shed to the left was designed to house the snow plough and was built in 1983. After its construction it was found that the doorway had not been made wide enough and the plough was not able to be housed there. It is now kept at the camp at Knobs Flat. The building today is known as the Chapel as it is one of the few areas of this region that has never been affected by avalanche.
Stop At: Milford sound Hwy, Milford Sound New Zealand
o Our Premium Cruise vessel has been specifically designed to capture the views of Milford Sound with its unique glass roof and large viewing decks. The ‘Gem of the Sound’ offers an outstanding experience never seen in Milford Sound with an exceptional level of comfort and hospitality. A selection of snacks and noodles can be purchased on board along with a wide range of drinks from New Zealand and around the world. Visit the stunning Milford Sound on board an equally premium vessel that will look after you and your unique experience.
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
Pick up at Te Anau on time. Joined big bus, John the driver was very informative along the way. Glass roof was great to see top of mountain. Boat wasn’t over crowded. Thought food was ok, others must have thought great as back for seconds. Long day 9.45-5.30. Very enjoyable
Pick up at Te Anau on time. Joined big bus, John the driver was very informative along the way. Glass roof was great to see top of mountain. Boat wasn’t over crowded. Thought food was ok, others must have thought great as back for seconds. Long day 9.45-5.30. Very enjoyableThe coach ride was fabulous and the boat ride was spectacular. Get on this tour from Te Anau rather than Queenstown
The coach ride was fabulous and the boat ride was spectacular. Get on this tour from Te Anau rather than QueenstownA van picked us up at our hotel in Te Anau and took us to the town center (3 minute ride) to meet the bus tour. The driver/guide was great, giving us enough info to make the trip interesting without talking forever. We stopped a couple of times on the way to Milford for a photo op and a short wal...
A van picked us up at our hotel in Te Anau and took us to the town center (3 minute ride) to meet the bus tour. The driver/guide was great, giving us enough info to make the trip interesting without talking forever. We stopped a couple of times on the way to Milford for a photo op and a short walk. the boat trip was great, riding out through the sound, viewing and getting sprayed by the waterfalls, seeing the seals sunning on the rocks, and talking with a couple of American crew members. the buffet lunch on board was good, with alcohol for purchase. I highly recommend staying in Te Anau for this trip. The hotel rooms are cheaper than Queenstown, the drive to Milford Sound is almost 2 hours shorter than the Queenstown, and there's a range of shops, restaurants, and activities to keep you occupiedWe started off the morning with a stomach full of laughs. Our bus driver/tour guide Adrian was an absolute ball of fun. He was very informative about the surrounding terrain, explaining the origins of how the surrounding mountains were formed by Ice Glaviers and how the passing towns were founded...
We started off the morning with a stomach full of laughs. Our bus driver/tour guide Adrian was an absolute ball of fun. He was very informative about the surrounding terrain, explaining the origins of how the surrounding mountains were formed by Ice Glaviers and how the passing towns were founded. The scenery throughout the 4 hour trip (each way) was breath-taking. We even stopped at designated areas to capture in the picturesque views of the stunning mountains within the multiple valleys the bus drove through. The Milford Sounds cruise was just as amazing as the journey getting there. We started off the cruise with a buffet lunch (which was delicious), which was then encompassed taking photos of these magical waterfalls. But be prepared to get a little wet if you're standing too close on the outside deck. We even saw DOLPFINES on the cruise! Overall, I would highly recommend this Queenstown to Milford Sounds trip to anyone who even has a slight interest in sight-seeing. The overall trip was absolutely amazing and my whole family had a blast getting there and coming back.Boarded the coach in Te Anau, lovely drive through to Milford, stops on the way. Boarded the catamaran, with our lunch box. Well done, certainly filled the gap. Cruise was great, along with the commentary. Drive back was pleasant, able to take in the sights
Boarded the coach in Te Anau, lovely drive through to Milford, stops on the way. Boarded the catamaran, with our lunch box. Well done, certainly filled the gap. Cruise was great, along with the commentary. Drive back was pleasant, able to take in the sightsThe trip was beautiful. It was raining, but the waterfalls were all flowing. Lunch was not great and not worth the trouble. We had to queue for about 15 minutes for food that was not good at all. The cruise was great.
The trip was beautiful. It was raining, but the waterfalls were all flowing. Lunch was not great and not worth the trouble. We had to queue for about 15 minutes for food that was not good at all. The cruise was great.