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After going on all five cruises on this list, I know you’ll have a blast regardless of which one you choose. It will be a memorable addition to your South Island itinerary, who knows, maybe you’ll get to try a few of these cruises as well. From the moment we set off at 4 pm to when we returned at 9 am the next day the crew treated everyone with 5-star service. They were funny, helpful, and it was easy to see they loved their jobs. There are very few passengers allowed at one time on this cruise which makes everything more intimate and the service fantastic. You’ll make a stop at the Underwater Observatory to see various species of aquatic life, like black coral, up close and learn about the unique nature of the Milford Sound.
Milford Sound Overnight Cruises
You will be also given a picnic-style lunch to enjoy on the boat (but I’d bring extra snacks for this tour as you’ll likely be hungry after all that hiking!). The area is known for Mitre Peak as well as Stirling and Bowen Falls, which gush down the sides of the peaks. Milford is also home to fur seals, penguins, and dolphins – which you may spot on your boat cruise if you’re lucky. Milford Sound has been an important hunting and gathering region for the Maori people and you can see their cultural impact all through the region.
What are the highlights of the Milford Sound Nature Cruise?
Milford Sound cruises vary in duration, typically lasting between 1.5 to 2 hours. The exact length depends on factors such as your chosen vessel, weather, wildlife encounters, and overall conditions. During these scenic cruises, you'll navigate the entire length of the stunning fiord. Explore our fleet to see the average cruising time of each vessel. At 8.5 hours in duration, it is classified as a full-day tour but you will make it back to Queenstown with plenty of time for dinner at one of its fantastic restaurants. Because it’s on a larger vessel you won’t get as close to the waterfalls, but with that said, many people prefer the amenities on these larger boats.
Milford Sound Day Tours
Fiordland Navigator ship that ran aground in Doubtful Sound investigated by TAIC in 2006 - RNZ
Fiordland Navigator ship that ran aground in Doubtful Sound investigated by TAIC in 2006.
Posted: Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Milford Sound is a fiord that is part of Fiordland National Park, one of New Zealand’s gorgeous 13 national parks. Fiords are formed by glaciers eroding over millions of years, creating valleys that can be thousands of meters deep! Milford Sound is only one area of Fiordland National Park, but it is perhaps the most impressive.
Of course, if you rent a car in Queenstown, you can drive yourself to Milford Sound, but keep in mind that after Te Anau, the road is narrow and winding so care should be taken at all times. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound directly. For ease of mind and a more relaxing trip, you can take a scenic flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown or a coach tour.
Booking a tour to Milford Sound has many benefits including a knowledgeable guide who will tell you all about the area and its history as well as the chance to meet like-minded travelers. If you do plan on visiting without a tour, it’s best to spend the night in Te Anau beforehand. You will also explore nearby Lake Manapouri (the gateway to Doubtful Sound) and Mavora Lakes – aka Amon Hen and Emyn Muil from the Lord of the Rings movies. You will be brought back to Te Anau to explore some additional activities of your choosing before boarding your coach back to Queenstown. The journey from Te Anau to Queenstown is approximately 2 hours. However, the only downside is you don’t get to land in Milford itself and experience a boat cruise there.
Transport
Please note we do not include a drink with your packed lunch as we are trying to reduce the use of singe use plastic so please remember to take your water bottle with you. While in Queenstown there are plenty of other activities that will keep you busy… Honestly, there are so many it’ll be hard to choose which ones to do! This tour is arguably the best value Milford Sound tour on this list at only $550 NZD for two days of adventure and a night’s accommodation. Rainbow Reach is known as The River Anduin in the movie series. It costs $1,379 NZD per person and you can book this exact tour in advance here.
I know there are a lot to choose from but deciding really shouldn’t;t be too hard once you consider your budget and the time you have to spare. If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel, then you should seriously consider La Quinta Queenstown. This beautiful hotel is right by the airport but still very quiet. Plus, the views are amazing (although you won’t find me recommending a place without great views!).
Our boats are purpose-built for navigating near the shoreline to get you as close as possible to your incredible surroundings. Tours to Milford Sound from Queenstown and Te Anau depart daily and offer a range of options to suit travelling styles and budgets. All tours combine the cruise in Milford Sound and many include a lunch option. You’ll also get plenty of opportunities to stop for those iconic photographs en-route and the local drivers provide great commentary to keep you entertained throughout the day. What I loved about this tour was the amount of space offered both inside and on the deck.
The staff provided jackets to all who wanted to experience a Glacial Facial, one of the most fun experiences on these cruises. Pulling the boat up under the waterfall we all stared up and opened our mouths for some delicious, but cold, glacial water! Thanks to the jackets we didn’t get wet and everyone was smiling and laughing about the experience we just had.
This is a unique tour that starts with a 40-minute flight over the Wakatipu basin and Fiordland National Park before landing in Milford Sound. Once on the ground, a short boat journey will take you to the beginning of your 2-hour guided hike on the famous Milford Track. The Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks and one of the best hikes in Milford Sound.
Milford Sound Day Trip: The Queenstown Conundrum - Travel Dudes
Milford Sound Day Trip: The Queenstown Conundrum.
Posted: Sun, 09 Oct 2022 02:26:02 GMT [source]
Premium glass-roof coach departs early allowing you to arrive relaxed and ready for your Milford Sound cruise. Expert coach drivers provide time for photo stops and short walks along the Milford road journey. This short and sweet 1-hour scenic flight is a popular option with couples or visitors short on time. At the end of your walk, you will be transferred back to the boat terminal for your 2-hour cruise which gives fantastic views of Bowen Falls, Mount Pembroke, and Mitre Peak.
We guarantee an uncrowded and much more personal experience by limiting passenger numbers on board all cruise departures to 50% of the boat’s capacity. Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits while getting up close and personal with local wildlife and cascading waterfalls. You can book this cruise with or without a picnic lunch, or you can just pack some snacks.
Be sure to soak in all the views of the Milford Track and Fiordland National Park from your small fixed-wing plane. Pick a couple of starters below, and I'll suggest some experiences that I think you'll love. Visitors to Milford Sound can now experience the informative Milford Sound coach commentary through a multi-language app. It's free for all and can be downloaded on either the Apple Store or Google play. Fiordland is a designated World Heritage Site that takes you back in time to a magical wilderness that you may have thought no longer existed.
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