Milford Sound
Just like marshmallows over a campfire, board games, and Saturday night rugby, an adventure into Fiordland National Park is great alone but always sweeter shared with close friends or workmates. If Milford Sound has been that luxury group trip your friends will take ‘one day’ or you’re looking for a truly unique and memorable corporate event in Queenstown, planning doesn’t have to be a nightmare for the lucky designated coordinator.
With Southern Discoveries, all of the bucket list Milford Sound activities (and more) are able to be tailored, elevated, and made more exclusive to accommodate the various needs and wants that can change from person to person. From the choices en route to the bon appétit, let’s run through some of your options.
Travel: the sky is the limit
Whether you want more quality time and sightseeing stops aboard a Southern Discoveries coach or going for outright awe and efficiency with a helicopter or plane flight, we can do that!
Our comfortable coaches will take you into Fiordland National Park by road, a highlight being Milford Road, with some of the most stunning stops on the way. Want some bonding time with your group? The journey by road can be made completely private to accommodate your group, having the added bonus of custom viewing stops upon request.
To dial your experience up by several thousand feet, opt for a scenic flight into Milford Sound. When you’re this high up, there are simply no bad views for anyone! Seeing the Southern Alps in-flight includes spotting untouched glaciers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes that can ONLY be seen from a scenic flight; a unique memory for any luxury group travel experience.
If you’re choosing between a flight or coach journey, check out this blog that compares the two options but keep in mind that each can be made totally exclusive to your group.
Cruise with your crew
Cruising Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries is one of the best and most popular ways to discover such a huge and mystical fiord. To maximise the Milford cruise experience and minimise the crowds, groups are able to treat themselves to exclusive vessels just for them, such as the intimately sized Lady Stirling, or reserve private spaces aboard a larger vessel just for you, such as a VIP room on the Pride of Milford.
A private charter or an exclusive room is the perfect way to cruise Milford in luxury, admiring the plunging cliffs and wildlife on the outer decks before returning to a secluded private space for lunch and photo-sharing!
Curious about the wildlife living in Milford Sound? Read more about what your group should be on the lookout for.
Food with friends
As a designated trip planner always knows, the food will be a hot topic when everyone begins to reflect on their adventure. Arranging food options for a group of varying tastes and appetites can be difficult, but it’s so much easier when the cuisine and serving choices are completely customisable, whether fussy or flexible.
A most notable difference to the usual food choices on a Milford cruise, that delicious seafood platters are available, hot or cold, which are not included as normal food options for everyday travellers. As well as this, you could request high tea, full-to-the-brim cheese boards, or platters to be flown in with your group. We like a challenge and love to try to deliver the exact dining experience you’re looking for; chat to us about your needs.
With a fully licensed fleet of vessels, wine, beer and bubbles can all be served in your private room or space.
Overnight options
The magic of Fiordland doesn’t have to rub off at the end of your cruise. Southern Discoveries can work with your group’s needs to host you at the incredible and remote Milford Lodge overnight so you can stay immersed in nature a little longer. Milford Lodge is the only accommodation in Fiordland National Park, so there isn’t much that will interrupt your group’s stargazing, riverside relaxing, or soundtrack of the rainforest. This luxury lodge is perfect for corporate retreats, couples, or groups that like to schedule in some seclusion in private rooms.
Putting it all together
Overwhelmed with the seemingly limitless possibilities? Here are a few ideas for your complete Milford experience that could be the perfect treat for your group.
- Your group can take an exclusive flight from Queenstown and land for a picnic brunch on a remote ridge in the Southern Alps. There is no better view than the mountains with a mimosa in hand. Continue to Milford Sound for a private cruise experience before taking a return flight back to Queenstown.
- Head to Milford Sound on the transport of your choice and enjoy an exclusive VIP room on your Milford cruise. Rather than heading back to Queenstown the same day, stay at Milford Lodge to experience Fiordland once the day-trippers are gone. After a coffee next to the rainforest, head back to Queenstown the next day via the transport of your choice.
- After arriving in Milford Sound, combine your exclusive cruise with a private guided kayaking tour to see the sights from a whole new perspective.
Working closely with our knowledgeable team to customise your experience really extends the realm of possibilities for your full-day, exclusive experience in Milford Sound. From private heli-tours to a secluded chance at stargazing, Southern Discoveries wants to make your small group or corporate event as unique as your crew because we know that Milford is better with mates!
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