Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions for our trips to the spectacular Milford Sound. Alternatively contact us and one of our local experienced team will be able to help.
Costs and Package Details
How much does it cost?
$169 for Coach-Cruise-Coach. Children cost $89
$520 for Coach-Cruise-Fly. Children cost $315 (Weather permitting).
(Prices when booked in Queenstown, Online specials available for advance bookings)
Does that include lunch?
Lunch can be pre-ordered for the boat at an extra $17 for a picnic lunch or $32 for an Obento (Japanese) lunch or Indian Lunch box. The coach will stop at a cafe in Te Anau in the morning and evening to enable you to buy coffee and snacks. You are welcome to bring your own lunch along with you.
Can I get a vegetarian lunch?
Yes. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be requested when pre-ordering the picnic lunch.
Weather
What is the weather going to be like?
Fiordland's magical waterfalls, lakes, rivers and streams are due to its rainfall. The temperature can vary from 15-20 degrees celcius in summer and 5-9 degrees celcius in winter. You should bring along a wet weather jacket and dress sensibly to enjoy your day.
Does it matter if it's raining?
A large part of why Fiordland is so magical are the waterfalls which makes the fiords dance while the mist hangs over them. They are hundreds when it rains and it's often the best time to go. The scenic cruise has large viewing windows so you can view them from inside the boat, keeping you dry!
The day trip takes approximately 12 hours, including the cruise and breaks. Milford is 317kms from Queenstown and takes around 4 1/2 hours to drive one way.
Does the coach stop along the way?
The coach will stop at Te Anau for approximately half an hour on both the outward and return journeys. The journey from Te Anau to Milford also has stunning scenery so the coach will make photo stops and allow for some short walks.
Is there a commentary on the trip?
Yes. Our Kiwi drivers have a great deal of knowledge of the areas you are driving through so will give you full commentary on the way to Milford. The cruise also offers commentary around the fiords (and is multilingual).
What time does it pick up and drop off?
Our coach starts accommodation pick ups at 7.50am and leaves Queenstown at 8.15am.* You will be dropped off again at approximately 8pm.
* Summer times (during the winter we leave an hour earlier due to limited daylight)
Are we on the coach for 12 hours?
No. There are frequent stops along the way with a half hour stop in Te Anau in both directions, and also a 1 hour 40 minute boat cruise.
Can I get picked up at my accommodation?
Yes, we pick up at most hotels around Queenstown. Please contact us to see where your closest pick up will be.
Can I get picked up from Te Anau/dropped off in Te Anau?
Yes. We pick up in Te Anau at 10.30am on the lake front and drop off again at 5.30pm.*
* Summer times (during the winter we leave an hour earlier due to limited daylight)
Does the coach have a glass roof?
Yes, our main coach has a glass roof enabling you to see more of the scenery around you as you travel to and from Milford. We cannot however guarantee the glass top coach as this can sometimes be taken off the road for maintenance without prior notice to guests although the alternative coach is still a luxury comfortable one with huge windows.
Are there toilets on the coach?
There are no toilets located on the coach due to hygiene reasons. However, we do stop at frequent intervals and other requests can be made to stop on the way if need be.
I get car sick - what is the coach ride like?
The road to Milford is a long country road that takes 4 1/2 hours to drive. The coaches are large comfortable 51 seaters with air-conditioning and make frequent stops for fresh air.
Can I drive there on my own?
Yes. There is one road so it is easy to follow. The road however is long and windy and with such amazing views you may want to look at the scenery rather than watching the bends in the road! The road conditions in winter can be dangerous with ice and snow. You should make sure you have a set of snow chains for your vehicle if driving in winter. There are also no petrol stations around Milford so make sure you fill your tank up in Te Anau before you leave there. The return journey is 634kms from Queenstown to Milford.
Are there places to buy food and drink?
Free tea and coffee is provided on the cruise. The cruise also has a small selection of snacks and drinks available to purchase. Lunch can be pre-ordered the day before at a cost of $15 for a picnic lunch or $30 for an Obento lunch. The coach will stop at a cafe in Te Anau in the morning and evening to enable you to buy coffee and snacks.
Do you have baby seats available for infants?
We do not have seats available at Kiwi Discovery, however we can organise the hire of child seats through Plunket. A fee will apply to hire the seat.
Can we bring our own car seat for our infant?
Yes. You are more than welcome to bring your own car seats. The coach seats fit all standard child seats and can be installed upon pick up.
The Cruise
Can I use credit cards on the boat?
The boat will accept credit cards and cash but not EFTPOS (Switch cards).
What cruise do you use?
We use the Scenic cruise operated by Real Journeys. The summer cruise has English only commentary however interpretation sheets in many languages are available. Real Journeys are a locally owned company who've been doing tours in Fiordland for over 50 years!
Does the boat have an underwater viewing platform?
The cruise boat we use has no underwater observatory however you can see as much from the cruise anyway.
How long is the cruise?
1 hour and 40 minute Scenic Cruise.
How many people does the boat hold?
The Milford Sovereign boat used for the Scenic Cruise holds 310 passengers. It is 40 metres long and has three large observation decks. On average there are only between 70-150 people at any time on the cruise so plenty fo space to move around.
I get sea sick - what is the cruise ride like?
The Scenic Cruise boat is a large purpose built, spacious vessel, 40 metres in length so is very stable on the water. There are three viewing decks for fresh air. The geography of the sound with high surrounding mountains prevent any large rolling waves although it can be windy.
Can I fly back?
Yes, there is usually an option to upgrade and fly back to Queenstown. Your driver will advise you if there are flights that day. The flight back takes approximately 40 minutes over the stunning Southern Alps.
Will I need to wear walking shoes?
There is an opportunity for some short scenic walks on the way so it is advisable to wear sensible footwear for walking and for the weather. Trainers or sneakers will be fine too.
Milford Sound
What wildlife do you see at Milford?
There is an opportunity to see seals, penguins and dolphins on and around the water, along with some of New Zealands birdlife. On rare occasions there have been whales at Milford Sound. Although you are very likely to see seals, it is hard to guarantee that you will see everything.
Does the cruise get close to the waterfalls?
Yes, very close. You might even get wet! Milford Sound is very deep so regardless of size of boat, skippers can get very close to the waterfalls.
Is it better to go to Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound?
The scenery at both are very different. Where Milford Sound has steep dramatic mountain walls, is 13kms in length and is the most accessible of fiords, Doubtful Sound is around 10 times larger and 3 times longer than Milford Sound but not quite as high. To get to Doubtful, a boat is taken across Manapouri Lake and then a bus over Wilmot Pass to reach the cruise boat at the fiord, making it a little more remote.
Can I walk around Milford Sound?
There are no main accessible walking tracks around Milford Wharf as the mountains rise straight out the water, the only real way to see the sound is on the cruise. There are however a few stops along the way to allow short walks around the area. The famous Milford Track ends at one end of Milford Sound at Sandfly point. This is a 4 day hike that needs to be booked in advance. We have packages available for this so please contact us if you are interested.
