Take a Milford Sound tour & explore the 8th wonder of the world

Rudyard Kipling thought of Milford Sound as stepping into a postcard come to life, which is probably why he crowned it the 8th wonder! Imagine towering waterfalls rushing down emerald forests, sheer cliffs reaching for the clouds, and a mirror-like fjord reflecting the scenery. Milford Sound tours are the perfect way to experience the raw beauty of New Zealand.

Choose between day trips, boat cruises, and scenic flights to get started on your Milford Sound adventure.

Navigate your Milford Sound tours guide

Choosing where you start your Milford Sound tour from

You have three locations from where you can take a Milford Sound tour: Queenstown, Te Anau, and Milford Sound. We've compared all three options to help you pick the perfect tour.

Milford Sound tours from Te Anau

From Te Anau

Distance from Milford Sound: 118km (1.4 hours)

Why start from here?

The most compelling reason to start from Te Anau is the proximity to the fjord. The drive is picturesque, with gems like Eglinton Valley, Knobs Flat, Lake Gunn, and more for you to explore along the way.

Day tours from Te Anau
Milford Sound tours from Queenstown

From Queenstown

Distance from Milford Sound: 287km (3.4 hours)

Why start from here?

Queenstown is one of the bigger cities closest to Milford Sound, and is near enough to make a day trip out of it. You will even pass by Te Anau on your way! The drive may take you longer if you account for stops, so if you plan to self explore Milford Sound, plan to stay over at Te Anau for the night.

Day tours from Queenstown
Milford Sound tours

From Milford Sound

Distance from Milford Sound: 0km (you're here!)

Why start from here?

Since you've done most of the work by getting to Milford Sound, the only thing left is to explore the fjord! Hop on a cruise and hike through the Milford Track with a tour guide to make the most of your day trip.

Things to consider before booking your Milford Sound tour

There are three different types of Milford Sound tours to choose from: day trips, boat cruises, and flight cruises. Let's break it down further, shall we?

Day trips

You have the option to start day trips from Te Anau or Queenstown. These tours are great for folks coming from out of town to explore Milford Sound.

  • Budget:Day trips from Te Anau are the most budget-friendly option, with prices starting at NZ$195. Day trips from Queenstown are more expensive given the longer distance from the fjord. These tours start at NZ$245 and can go up to NZ$279.
  • Duration: Day trips from Te Anau last about 8 hours, which is shorter than tours from Queenstown that go up to 12-13 hours.
  • Inclusions: All day trips include pick-up and drop-off from Te Anau or Queenstown, expert tour guides, boat cruise of the fjord and lunch/snacks. Upgrade your day tour to include a trek at ​Milford Track, known to be the finest walk in the world!

Boat cruises

These tours are a great option for folks in Milford Sound to experience the beauty of the ​Fiordland National Park.

  • Budget: Standard ​boat cruises are the budget-friendly option, starting at NZ$125. If you want a premium boat cruise experience, go for the Overnight Milford Sound Cruise starting at NZ$1,364.
  • Duration: Standard boat cruises last 2 hours, giving you time to explore more of the Fiordland National Park. While overnight cruises last between 10-31 hours, including your stay on the boat and transfers (if selected).
  • Inclusions: Standard and small boat cruises include a boat cruise of the fjord, live commentary by the captain, & lunch/snacks onboard. These tours do not include return transfers. Variants like premium and overnight cruises on the other hand, do offer return transfers (if selected), in addition to the boat cruise, premium food, cabins, and other inclusions.

Flight cruises

Scenic ​flight cruises start from Queenstown and are a good fit for folks who want a premium travel to and exploration of Milford Sound.

  • Budget: This experience starts at NZ$675 for a 4-hour tour of the Milford Sound.
  • Duration: Flight cruises last about 4.5 hours, but can be longer depending on how you customize your tour.
  • Inclusions: You can opt between two-way flights to Milford Sound or going to the fjord via coach and return back by flight. Your tour will also include a 2 hour boat cruise, live commentary by the captain, and lunch/snacks onboard.

Your Milford Sound tour options explained

Guided wilderness Walks in Milford Sound

Milford Sound day trip

Duration: 12-13 hours (depending on the selection)

Inclusions: boat tour of Milford Sound, tour guide, return transfers, lunch/snacks

Price: from NZ$195

Enjoy a comfortable commute from Te Anau and Queenstown along with a tour of Milford Sound, with a dedicated tour guide, and access to attractions like Homer Tunnel, Lake Gunn, the Tasman Sea & more.

Recommended experiences:

  • From Te Anau: Milford Cruise, Lunch & Return Transfers
  • From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip with Cruise, Walks & Return Transfers
Lady enjoying the view at Milford Sound

Milford Sound boat cruise

Duration: 2-7 hours (depending on the selection)

Inclusions: boat tour of Milford Sound, live commentary by captain, snacks onboard

Price: from NZ$125.

Cruise along Milford Sound and view landmarks such as ​Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, and Seal Point from the deck while enjoying live commentary from the captain, and onboard refreshments.

Recommended experiences:

  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Small-Boat Milford Sound Cruise
  • Overnight Milford Sound Cruise
  • Premium Milford Sound Cruise
Flight to Milford Sound with Cruise from Queenstown

Milford Sound flight cruise

Duration: 5-13 hours (depending on the selection)

Inclusions: flights to and from Queenstown and Milford Sound, boat tour of Milford Sound, snacks onboard, tour guide

Price: NZ$645

Hop on a flight from the city, straight to Milford Sound, where you can enjoy a serene cruise and spot attractions like Mitre Peak, Seal Rock, and more, while you enjoy live commentary from your captain. Don't forget to catch the flight back to the city!

Recommended experience:

  • From Queenstown: Milford Sound Scenic Flyover & Cruise

Things to see & do on your Milford Sound tour

Milford Track

Milford Track

Explore the world-famous Milford Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks, with scenic landscapes and diverse ecosystems, attracting hikers from around the globe. You'll get to trek this track on your day trip tour.

Mitre Peak
Giant Gate Falls
Mirror Lakes
Earnslaw Burn Glacier

Plan your Milford Sound tour

Boat Cruises, Milford sound
  • Boat cruises: 10:30am, 11am, 11:15am, 1:15pm, 1:30pm, and 3:15pm daily. Boat tours usually last 2 hours.
  • Day trips from Queenstown/Te Anau: 6:30am, 7:15am, & 8:15am daily.
  • Day trips from Te Anau: 7:45am, 10am, & 11am daily. Day trips can easily take up an average of 12 hours, including transfers.
  • Flight tours: 10am & 12:30am daily (fly cruise fly tours), 6:30am, 7am, & 7:30am (coach cruise fly tours). These tours will take up to 5 hours of your day, including transfers.
Kayaking Milford sound
  • Summer months between December and February are the busiest time of the year. The weather is mostly sunny and great for outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. This is the busiest time of year at the fjord.
  • Shoulder season between September to November and March to May are the best times to visit Milford Sound. Not only is the weather pleasant enough, the crowds are lesser during this time.
  • If you want to see the waterfalls in full form, your best bet is to visit during the winter months, between June to August. However, the weather is mostly cold and wet.
Best time to book a tour

Milford Sound is located in the Fiordland National Park, and is accessible via road and flights.

Address: Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand | ​Find on maps

  • Flights and AC coaches are the most convenient ways to reach Milford Sound since the drive down can get tricky. In case you do wish to drive down yourself, Te Anau and Queenstown are the two best places to start from.
  • The drive from Queenstown will take you through Te Anau to reach Milford Sound; the full trip should take around 4 hours if you drive without stopping. It's best to stop at Te Anau to refuel your car and grab some snacks for the road.
Getting to Milford Sound
Flight transfers

Milford Sound guided tours offer city transfers from Te Anau and Queenstown. Choose between two types depending on your budget and time:

  • Bus transfers: Get picked up from the city in luxury coaches that will take you to and from Milford Sound. They are more budget friendly than flight transfers and you can stop at landmarks along the way. Tours with bus transfers are longer than flight transfers but are a good option for folks who want a full road trip experience.
  • Flight transfers: Folks who want a shorter trip to Milford Sound, while passing by the Tasman Sea, Lake Wakatipu, & Mt Aspiring National Park among other attractions, should consider going for a ​Milford Sound flight cruise. These tours are more expensive, but you can customize your commute type to fit your budget.
Stays and hotels

Milford Sound has one main stay option, Milford Sound Lodge, which has both luxury chalets and sites to park your caravan. You can find a lot more stay options at Te Anau, covering high end, mid-range, and budget stays.

Lodging in Milford Sound
Cafes and restaurants

Milford Sound is sparsely populated, so you won't find many dining options in the small town. Here are your options for a bite to eat at Milford Sound:

  • Milford Sound Information Centre: Grab a coffee or quick bite to eat from this cafe at the visitors center at Milford Sound.
  • Pio Pio: Dig into some local dishes like Fiordland venison, Merino lamb, & Marlborough salmon, at this restaurant at Milford Sound. P.S.: they serve breakfast, lunch, & dinner, and have outdoor seating.

If you need extra sustenance for the road, it's best to make a pit stop at Te Anau and do a quick grocery run.

Prepare for rain
  • Prepare for rains: Milford Sound is known for its chilly, wet weather; you will need to wear full sleeved clothing, preferably in layers. Raincoats and umbrellas are also a good idea to carry along, in case of sudden downpours. P.S.: there is a high chance of getting splashed when the boat goes near a waterfall.
  • Carry binoculars: You can spot animals like seals, dolphins and penguins during your cruise much more easily if you bring a pair of binoculars..
  • Motion sickness: If you're prone to seasickness, motion sickness bands or medications can help ensure a more enjoyable experience on the water. Ask the onboard staff in case you need assistance.
  • Preserve the environment: Be mindful of the fact that you are visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Avoid feeding wildlife, stay on designated trails during hikes, and dispose of waste responsibly.
Plan you experience

Frequently asked questions about Milford Sound tours

How much does a Milford Sound tour cost?

Milford Sound tour prices start at NZ$125 and can go up to NZ$1,364, depending on the inclusions and type of tour you choose.

What are the different types of Milford Sound tours available?

There are three types of Milford Sound tours you can choose from. Day trips are the most convenient way to explore the fjord, if you are starting from the city. It includes return transfers to and from the city, a tour guide, and a boat cruise of Milford Sound; prices start at NZ$245. ​Boat cruises are the most affordable option for folks who plan to ​drive to Milford Sound. You get a 2-hour cruise on a luxury boat and lunch onboard, starting at NZ$125. ​Flight cruises are a unique way to explore Milford Sound, with one-way or round trip flights to the fjord, boat cruise, and a tour guide. These tours are more expensive, with prices starting at NZ$645.

What is the cancellation policy for a Milford Sound tour?

In most cases, you can cancel your tour up to 24 hours before your experience begins and get a full refund issued. Some tours require you to cancel up to 48 hours before the experience to get a refund.

Why should I go for a Milford Sound tour?

A Milford Sound tour is the best way to experience the beauty of the 8th wonder of the world, without having to worry about commutes or missing out on special landmarks along the way. Most tours come with options for return transfer to Te Anau or Queenstown, a tour guide, and the opportunity to explore ​Milford Sound attractions like Homer Tunnel, Lake Gunn, Milford Track, Mitre Peak & more. Choose between day trips, boat cruises, and flight cruises depending on your budget, and get ready for a hassle-free exploration of New Zealand.

How long does a Milford Sound tour last?

The duration of your tour depends on the tour type and inclusions. Day trips take an average of 12 hours, including returns. A flight cruise will take close to 5 hours, including returns. A boat cruise will take you 2 hours.

Are Milford Sound tours suitable for children?

Yes, all Milford Sound tours are kid-friendly. Tours with hikes may not be the best idea for children under the age of 8, as they require mild to moderate physical activity for an extended period.

Are Milford Sound tours wheelchair friendly?

Flight tours and boat cruises are wheelchair friendly. However, ​Milford Track hikes that are part of some day tours are not recommended for folks with reduced mobility.

What attractions can I see on my Milford Sound tour?

You will pass by several landmarks on your way from Queenstown or Te Anau to Milford Sound. Explore the Homer Tunnel, Lake Gunn, Mt. Aspiring National Park, and more on your Milford Sound tour.

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