Southern Discoveries

Highlights

• Full-length cruise from the Visitor Terminal to the Tasman Sea and back
• Purpose-built boat with an indoor seating area
• Multilingual commentary via the operator app (8 languages)
• Optional picnic or buffet lunch (must be added at booking)
• Close-in approach to Stirling Falls

About this tour

The Nature Cruise is Southern Discoveries' main cruise: 1.5 to 2 hours on the water from the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, where all its cruises depart.

The route runs the length of Milford Sound: past Bowen Falls, under Mitre Peak, past Copper Point and Seal Rock to the Tasman Sea, and back via Stirling Falls. The skipper narrates in English; the free Southern Discoveries app plays commentary in eight languages through your own headphones.

Practical: tea and coffee are free. A picnic lunch (vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free on request) or the To Kai buffet can be added and must be booked at least 24 hours ahead. Check in at the terminal 20 minutes before departure.

What's included

• Nature Cruise of 1.5 to 2 hours from the Visitor Terminal
• Indoor seating area and outdoor deck
• Multilingual commentary app (8 languages)
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Optional picnic or buffet lunch, must be added at booking

Not included

• Alcoholic drinks (licensed bar on board)
• Return transport to/from Milford Sound

Meeting point

Southern Discoveries counter in the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, where all its cruises depart. Arrive 20 minutes before departure for check-in.

Highlights

• Glass-roof coach with USB charging
• Commentary by app in eight languages, headphones provided on the coach
• 2-hour Nature Cruise out to the Tasman Sea
• Tea and coffee on board, picnic or buffet lunch as an option

About this tour

Southern Discoveries' own coach day from Queenstown. Pickup is at many points in town and the day finishes at 110 Beach Street. The coach stops for 30 minutes in Te Anau in both directions and makes short stops in the Eglinton Valley, at Mirror Lakes and at Monkey Creek. The driver commentates in English; the free Southern Discoveries app covers the route in 30 sections and eight languages.

At Milford Sound you join the 2-hour Nature Cruise on a purpose-built catamaran, past Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls and out to the Tasman Sea. Tea and coffee are free. A picnic lunch or the To Kai buffet (on selected departures) can be added when you book.

What's included

• Glass-roof coach (may be replaced for operational reasons)
• Live commentary and app commentary
• 2-hour Milford Sound cruise
• Tea and coffee
• Lunch, if you choose that option

Not included

• Child seats (bring your own, otherwise children cannot travel)
• Food for infants

Meeting point

Pickup at a point in Queenstown chosen when you book. The tour finishes at 110 Beach Street.

Highlights

• Up to 2 hours 15 minutes on Milford Sound
• Nature guide on board for the whole cruise
• Indoor cabins and an outdoor deck
• Visit to the skipper in the wheelhouse

About this tour

The longest cruise Southern Discoveries runs: up to 2 hours 15 minutes from the Milford Sound Visitor Centre at Freshwater Basin. A nature guide comes along the whole way and talks about how the fiord was formed and the wildlife you may see, such as fur seals, dolphins and, with luck, Fiordland crested penguins.

The boats get close to Stirling Falls and the rock walls. You can visit the skipper in the wheelhouse. Tea and coffee are free; a picnic lunch (regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free) must be booked at least 24 hours ahead. You get to Milford Sound yourself, by car, coach or plane.

What's included

• Cruise of up to 2 h 15
• Commentary from a nature guide
• Outdoor deck and covered seating inside
• Tea and coffee
• Picnic lunch, if added when booking

Not included

• Transport to Milford Sound
• Drinks and snacks from the bar

Meeting point

Southern Discoveries, Milford Sound Visitor Centre, Freshwater Basin.

Highlights

• Boat transfer from Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point
• Self-guided walk on the Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls, 11 km return
• Nature Cruise of up to 2 hours
• Walk first at 9:00 or cruise first at 10:30

About this tour

Two things in one day, both starting at Milford Sound, so you need your own way there. You choose whether to walk first (9:00) or cruise first (10:30).

For the walk a boat takes you in about 10 minutes from Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point, the end of the Milford Track. From there you walk on your own through rainforest to Giant Gate Falls and back, 11 km in up to four hours. The track is well marked; basic fitness is enough.

The Nature Cruise lasts up to 2 hours and runs out to the Tasman Sea. Tea and coffee are free and there is a licensed bar. A picnic lunch can be pre-ordered.

What's included

• Boat transfer Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point and back
• Up to 4 hours on the Milford Track
• Cruise of up to 2 hours
• Tea and coffee on board

Not included

• Walking guide (the walk is self-guided)
• Transport to Milford Sound