Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 45 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback worth booking?
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback is a 9-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $575 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 45 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (45)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $575 per person
Journey in comfort on one of our brand new, low-emission coaches and take in incredible panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. Enjoy entertaining commentary, and let us show you the best stops along the way as you connect seamlessly to your Milford Sound cruise. Discover native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains on our extended Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and close enough to feel the full force the powerful 15,000-year old Stirling Falls. Specialist nature guide on board shares their local knowledge with lively and informative commentary. This day trip includes a freshly prepared lunch on-board your cruise. Return to Queenstown by a breath-taking scenic flight, and enjoy views of the pristine alpine lakes and waterfalls that Fiordland National Park is recognised for.
What you get
About this experience
Journey in comfort on one of our brand new, low-emission coaches and take in incredible panoramic views on the road to Milford Sound. Enjoy entertaining commentary, and let us show you the best stops along the way as you connect seamlessly to your Milford Sound cruise. Discover native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains on our extended Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and close enough to feel the full force the powerful 15,000-year old Stirling Falls. Specialist nature guide on board shares their local knowledge with lively and informative commentary. This day trip includes a freshly prepared lunch on-board your cruise. Return to Queenstown by a breath-taking scenic flight, and enjoy views of the pristine alpine lakes and waterfalls that Fiordland National Park is recognised for.
What's included
Included
- Informative commentary provided by local coach driver
- Freshly made Lunch
- Return Scenic Flight to Queenstown
- 1 Hour 45 Minute Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- FREE tea and coffee on board cruise
- Specialist nature commentary onboard cruise
- Transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound on premium coach
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
What you'll see and do
Queenstown
Trip departs Queenstown at 6.45am. Travel on a brand new, premium glass-roof coach, equipped with reclining seats, extra legroom, air conditioning, USB charging ports and on board toilet. Enjoy as your local coach driver provides you with interesting and informative commentary as the breath-taking scenery unfolds around you. They'll show you all the best short walks and photo stops along the Milford Road. This coach will connect with our 1hr 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise. After your cruise, you will meet your pilot and make your way to the Milford Sound Airport for a truly unforgettable Scenic Flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown. The ultimate Milford Sound experience!
20 minutes here
Te Anau
Te Anau is a beautiful town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Enjoy a short break here on your way to Milford Sound, in order to break up the journey, grab a coffee, and stretch your legs.
30 minutes here
Eglinton Valley
This beautiful valley is glaciated with steep sides and a flat floor. It's between half a kilometre to two kilometres wide and has a shingle riverbed floor, which is constantly being changed by the Eglinton River. This is an incredible stop you will make as apart of your journey to Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries.
10 minutes here
Mirror Lakes Walk
Enjoy a stroll among small lakes with stunning reflections of the Earl Mountains, should weather be permissive on the day. This is an easy, short walk off the Milford Road.
15 minutes here
Interpretation panels show the effect of avalanches on the Milford Road and provide information on the wildlife of the Eglinton Valley. Visitor amenities include toilets and a telephone (card payment only).
10 minutes here
Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
Pass by without stopping
The Cleddau River is a beautiful river of New Zealand. It flows into the head of Milford Sound. You'll see many parts of this river as you journey along the Milford Sound road.
Pass by without stopping
Monkey Creek
Take in great views of the upper Hollyford Valley while you fill up your water bottle from this glacier fed spring. Friendly Keas (a New Zealand alpine parrot) love this area so it's a great stop for some kea spotting.
10 minutes here
Homer Tunnel
At an altitude of 945 metres above sea level and 1.2 kilometres in length, the unlined road tunnel allows access through sheer rock to Milford Sound with a gradient of 1 in 10. Completed in 1953, traffic lights control the traffic flow through the tunnel. An incredible part of your journey along the Milford Road.
Pass by without stopping
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life. Boat tours are a popular way to explore.
150 minutes here
Exchange your pass and board your Nature Cruise. Your journey on the water starts here!
10 minutes here · Admission included
Bowen Falls
The stunning Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall. It plunges 162m from a hanging valley into the head of Milford Sound and provides electricity for the Milford Sound township by feeding a small hydroelectric scheme, as well as being the water source for the settlement.
Pass by without stopping
Stirling Falls
Milford’s second-highest waterfall is the Stirling Falls, a staggering 151m in height – three times the height of Niagara Falls, but the 1,300m mountain behind displaces this incredible height. This is the famous waterfall that Hugh Jackman ‘jumped off’ in the movie Wolverine. The sheer drop of the Stirling Falls allows boats to get right underneath – it’s an incredible feeling to have the power of 151m worth of glacial water falling so close to you.
Pass by without stopping
Nestled behind the world famous Mitre Peak, the Sinbad Gully is characterised by extremely steep glacially carved walls punctuated by near vertical granite cliffs. These walls slowed pest invasion into the gully and as a result a number of unique native species remain in the Sinbad. Southern Discoveries is passionate about preserving Milford Sound’s beauty for future generations which is why it’s a key partner in a major conservation project – the Sinbad Sanctuary Project. The aim is to see the valley of New Zealand’s most photographed mountain (Sinbad Gully is at the base of Mitre Peak) become a sanctuary for native species.
Pass by without stopping
Your Pilot will escort you to the Milford Sound Airport, where you will depart for your return Scenic Flight to Queenstown. Marvel at many of the pristine alpine lakes and waterfalls that Fiordland National Park is recognised for, including the Sutherland Falls which span 580m (1900ft). This is an unforgettable way to see this beautiful part of New Zealand. Flight time is 35 minutes.
10 minutes here
Mitre Peak is a beautifully dramatic mountain in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed mountain peaks in the entire country.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (110 Beach Street, Queenstown) to check in for your trip. Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (110 Beach Street, Queenstown) to check in for your trip. Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Southern Discoveries
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
- All passenger weights MUST be advised at the time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sunscreen and insect repellent advisable
- Appropriate child restraints are not provided by the operator. These must be provided by the parent or caregiver - without this you may be turned away and unable to travel - please be prepared.
- Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 45 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
45 verified traveler reviews for Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Small van, twice the stops of large buses
Had a full van with 14 people. It does almost twice the number of stops as large buses and depends on the efficiency of the group. There is good variety for the various stops. They vary in length as some are quick photo ops while others are walking trails. The reverse route is the way to go as it avoids the large bus tourist groups, giving you a better opportunity to enjoy and get that Insta shot. Mervin was a great bus driver and tour guide and even able to find kangaroos at the end of the day. He gave interesting fun facts on Melbourne up to the Great Ocean Road.
via Viator
Milford Coach and Fly Back Turned Bad
The trip started by the sound system not working well. Broke up continuously do that we could not understand the safety induction or instructions. The guide and driver could not fix it. We had booked a coach and fly back tour to Milford because we had other commitments. We were not able to fly back. We were driven back by coach instead. It was not clear when and how we would get refunded the difference ot the two fares.
Response from the operator: Kia ora, Thank you for letting us know, and we're really sorry the sound system issues affected your journey. We're also sorry the fly-back leg couldn't go ahead as booked due to weather. Refund details can vary depending on the platform and operator, so our on-the-day team don't always have full visibility to correctly provide that information — please reach out to our reservations team with your booking details and they can help. Ngā mihi nui
via Tripadvisor
Fabulous experience. Even...
Fabulous experience. Even though the coach trip was long, it was extremely scenic and interesting. Cruising the Milford sound was spectacular and the flight back was one of the best things we have ever done. Awesome day.
via Viator
Awesome Milford Trip
Great trip. Great company. Stan the Tour Guide/bus driver very knowledgeable, great sense of humour. We where to bus, boat and fly back from Milford, but weather conditions where not good. Great communication with what was happening. Was being refunded without question. Would definitely do it again, with the same company. Brilliant day.
via Viator
Wow!! Milford rocks!
This was amazing!!! Bus from Queenstown… boat tour… and the flight back! Airplane… but I am sure helicopter would give you the same sense of wonder! NZ is beautiful! Seeing from the flight back to Queenstown was a memory that will last a lifetime!!
Response from the operator: Kia ora Keith, Land, sea and sky all in one day — it doesn't get much better than that. Really glad the scenic flight back added that extra layer to an already incredible experience. NZ really does have a way of leaving a mark. Ngā mihi nui
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $575 to $988
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Southern Discoveries, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.5.
See everything Southern Discoveries runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback cost?
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Prices start at $575 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Queenstown is not rushed.
Is Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 45 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback?
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Around 16 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Queenstown can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Queenstown within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback?
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Included: Informative commentary provided by local coach driver; Freshly made Lunch; Return Scenic Flight to Queenstown; 1 Hour 45 Minute Milford Sound Nature Cruise; and FREE tea and coffee on board cruise. Not included: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback?
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Please head inside the Southern Discoveries office situated at the above address (110 Beach Street, Queenstown) to check in for your trip. Please make sure you arrive at least 15mins before your departure time. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Queenstown. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback?
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Across 45 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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