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Day Trips

Coach & Discover More

Discover More Coach & Cruise is currently unavailable

Check out our Coach & Nature Cruise.

Departs Queenstown or Te Anau

See Milford Sound from above and below the water

Most in-depth day trip experience

Departs Queenstown or Te Anau

See Milford Sound from above and below the water

Most in-depth day trip experience

About

A spectacular tour from Queenstown or Te Anau. Explore the Milford road plus the world renowned Milford Sound Discover More Cruise. Included; descend below the surface at New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory.

Please note that our Coach & Discover More experience is currently unavailable. Our Nature Cruise is operating as normal.
An in-depth coach and cruise experience in Milford Sound
Get closer to seals and if you're lucky, dolphins and rare Fiordland Crested Penguins, with help from your onboard nature guide
Take a closer look at the unique underwater environment of Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve
Includes entry to Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
Includes FREE tea and coffee
Licenced bar on board on your cruise vessel
Departs from Queenstown or Te Anau
Download the Southern Discoveries app for multilingual commentary for our coach and cruise.

Southern Discoveries Ltd wishes to notify our customers about the natural risks and hazards prevalent in Milford Sound, the remote location where our operations are situated. Detailed information of these risks and hazards can be found here.

8hrs 30 mins

The underwater observatory is situated in Harrison Cove and only accessible by boat.

View amazing sea life 10 metres below the surface of Milford Sound.

Enjoy unique viewpoint stops on the Milford Road.

Amazing glass-roof coach provides expansive scenic views

The perfect day trip for the whole family to enjoy

Map

Lunch

Fresh Lunch options

Welcome aboard, and get ready to dine in style! Your Milford Sound Coach, Cruise & Underwater Observatory lunch options are listed to your right.

Freshly prepared picnic lunch is available to purchase on all Milford Sound cruises
Please note we do not include a drink with your picnic lunch as we are trying to reduce our use of single use plastic so please take your water bottle with you
A selection of snacks are available to purchase onboard all vessels
A fully licensed bar is available on all vessels, except the Lady Stirling
Free tea and coffee is available on all cruises
All meat is certified halal
The menu may vary at times due to seasonal supply
Please note that the ingredients and contents of each meal are only a guide and these may be subject to change
Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available – please indicate your preferences when you are booking online
If you have specific dietary requirements or special group requests, please call to discuss with the reservations team
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own alcohol onboard our vessels
We only accept credit card or cash payments, we can not accept eftpos or debit cards

Picnic Lunch

A Picnic lunch is available for purchase on all departures.

The picnic lunches are freshly prepared daily. It includes:

Sandwich with selected meat and salad for standard option
Cheese and crackers
Seasonal fresh fruit
Crisps
Cookie
Small chocolate bar

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.

Picnic lunch options; regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. When you book online please select your preference.

"Breathtaking"

Trip Advisor reviews

Excellent cruise and staff! Great Experience! Breathtaking Amazing trip along Milford Sound Best tourist experience ever! Awesome day on the water! Epic Adventure! Highlight of our holiday

FAQ

What’s the difference between the cruises?

We provide some of the best Milford Sound cruise deals in New Zealand. To compare our day trips, check out our Cruise Comparison table, where you can see our range of cruises and the vessels.

Does the coach & cruise day trip from Queenstown include lunch?

Many of our Milford Sound experiences include a picnic OR Buffet lunch on board the cruise. When booking, you will see which departures include lunch and which do not. You can also bring your own lunch if you prefer.

Where do we stop on the Milford road?

Our coaches stop at three to four significant points of interest on the Milford Road. Find out more on our Road to Milford Sound map.

How do we get picked up for our coach trip to Milford Sound?

All coach departures offer pick-up from most main accommodation providers. When you book online, select pick up from your accommodation, and indicate where you would like to be picked up from. Or simply make your way to our Queenstown Visitors Centre or Te Anau Info Centre.

Can I book a coach trip and add a pick-up point later?

You need to indicate your pick-up point when booking your coach online. If you do not indicate a pickup location, we will expect you to board at the Queenstown Visitor Centre or the Te Anau Visitor Centre. The coach will depart from our Visitor Centres at the time indicated. You need to be there 15 minutes before departure to collect your Boarding Passes. If you need to change your pick-up option, please call Reservations on 0800 264 536.

We’re getting picked up from your visitor centre in Queenstown. Is there parking?

There are many parking options within 200 metres of the Queenstown Visitor Centre at St Omers Wharf, but no parking outside the Queenstown Visitor Centre. If your accommodation is in the town centre it is a very pleasant walk to the Queenstown Visitor Centre located on the waterfront at St Omers Wharf. If you have selected Queenstown Visitor Centre as your pick up location and you would like to change it, you can do this by calling or emailing our reservations team.

Do you have a webcam in Milford Sound?

Yes, you can view how the weather and day looks. Check out our webcam here.

What is included in the buffet lunch?

Our To Kai lunch includes a range of meats, salads and seasonal vegetables with hot and cold options available. We can cater to most dietary requirements - please note this on your booking. All our meat is certified halal.

What is included in the picnic lunch?

The picnic lunch includes a sandwich with selected meat and salad, cheese and crackers, seasonal fresh fruit, crisps, a cookie and a small chocolate bar. We can cater to most dietary requirements – please note this on your booking.

Where does the coach stop on the way to Milford Sound?

It can depend on traffic and road conditions, but we aim to stop at Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, or Monkey Creek. If coming from Queenstown there will also be a break in Te Anau at a café or similar.

What time does the coach get back to Te Anau?

The coach will return to Te Anau at approx. 5:30pm

What time does the coach get back to Queenstown?

The coach will return to Queenstown at approx. 7:30pm.

Do I need a child seat for my child on the coach?

In accordance with New Zealand Law, all infants and children aged under 7 years must be correctly secured in an approved child seat while travelling in any Southern Discoveries coach. If you need to hire an approved child seat, we recommend you contact Tots on Tour on +64 3 442 0409.

Can I get a refund for my booking?

We have a 24-hour cancellation and amendment policy, so as long as you notify us more than 24 hours before departure we can amend your booking to another day or cancel for a refund.

More FAQ's

Get in touch

in New Zealand

0800 264 536

Overseas

+64 3 441 1137

reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz