Milford Sound Full Day Tour from Te Anau with Cruise
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Travel the Milford Road in our luxurious & comfortable vehicles specially designed for small groups tours to Milford Sound. Modern comforts such as bucket leather seats, extended leg room, high performance air conditioning, small bag storage space, table trays & USB charging. Guided by our local expert commentary, we take you to all the main photo & experience stops but also add in a couple of extra special ones not listed here. Three short & optional nature walks are included. Upon arriving in Milford Sound, your two-hour nature cruise awaits you aboard our cruise partners boat - the Milford Haven. Boasting a restaurant and bar, you can dine in comfortable seating enjoying a hot or cold add-on lunch while the mountains, waterfalls and wildlife go by. We reserve seats & tables on the cruise so you have your own guaranteed space within the boat. See our website for full details.
Your experience
Stop 1
Following departure form Te Anau, we have a 25min drive to Te Anau Downs. If the weather is appropriate, we stop here for a photo and sightseeing looking across Lake Te Anau and down the Middle Fjord.
Stop 2
Following a 20min drive, we arrive at Mirror Lakes. This short 2-minute nature walk on well formed tracks and boardwalks will have you at the tranquil Mirror Lakes, the backdrop of the Earl Mountains behind them. This is a challenge for any travelling photographer to capture the essence of the lakes - their mirror reflection.
Stop 3
Eglinton Valley is a 5min drive from Mirror Lakes and offers a stunning contrast of green, native bush covered mountains, against the foreground of tan fields. Guests will have a chance to explore the long lush fields. Beautiful at any time of the year.
Stop 4
It is a 15min Drive from Eglinton Valley and we include a 5min toilet stop at Knobs Flat before arriving at Lake Gunn. Situated between the inflow and outflow of the Eglinton River, Lake Gunn is a perfect opportunity to stretch the legs again and enjoy the serene peace & quiet, only broken by surrounding birdsong.
Stop 5
A 15min drive from Lake Gunn, this is an optional nature walk of 25-minutes. From the carpark, we cross the roaring Hollyford River and walk up the track 10-minutes to the Marian Falls. You will enjoy stunning cascading falls & chasms.
Stop 6
Monkey Creek is a 10min drive from Marian Falls carpark and is a common area to meet the Kea, a mountain parrot only found in the South Island of New Zealand. This is an opportunity to take a close up photo of these cheeky birds.
Stop 7
We have a 30min drive to Milford Sound, but stop for another 20mins at The Chasm on the way. Our destination for the tour is the beautiful Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We spend 2.5 hours in Milford Sound, mostly aboard your nature cruise where you will experience the entire fjord, wildlife encounters, waterfalls and all the scenic beauty there is to see.
Stop 8
On the return leg we have a 40min drive to this stop. We stop at the Hollyford Lookout, sitting high above the Hollyford Valley. Here you will get an appreciation for the glaciers that carved out these valleys. A photo opportunity and a chance to stretch the legs.
Stop 9
After Hollyford Valley, we enjoy a quiet journey back to Te Anau, with an optional toilet stop again at Knobs Flat if needed. Our drive time is 70mins + drop-offs.
What’s included
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Cruise ticket
- Snacks
Meeting and pickup
This meeting point is at: Milford Road Merchant Cafe, 225 Milford Road, Te Anau.
Before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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