Road Status
Road Status provided by Transit New Zealand
You can also ring NZTA’s freephone number 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449) available 24/7
Getting to Milford Sound by Car
The road to Milford Sound is highly scenic and has many beautiful stops and short walks. If you plan on driving yourself you may like to download our self-drive info sheet and check out some of the amazing spot along the way. As any local will tell you the drive to Milford is as important as the sound itself.
Milford Sound Public Car park
GPS Instructions.
147-157 Milford Sound Highway, Southland, New Zealand, 9679
-44.672314, 167.927994
Car parking at Milford can be in short supply so please allow extra time to find a park in the summer months.
Take an easy 5 minute scenic walk to the terminal building via the raised walkway and check in at 20 minutes before the departure time at the Cruise Milford Desk on your left as you enter through the main entrance.
By Coach from Te Anau
Join the Cruise Milford small coach tour for an amazing journey to Milford Sound. Our extended day trip to Milford Sound from Te Anau ensures that you see all the best bits that Fiordland has on offer. We include extra walks along the way and also your nature cruise on world-famous Milford Sound.
Departing Te Anau at 7.45am the tour takes you along Lake Te Anau to the Fiordland National Park. Our knowledgeable local guides will astound you with jewels of information about the National Park and the people who lived there.
Along the Milford Road we will take you to all the best photo stops and a few special places that only locals know about! With at least 15 stops along the journey you will need plenty of space on your camera. The engineering feat of the Homer Tunnel will amaze as you travel underneath the mountain. The operation of blasting through the rock to make the tunnel is truly staggering.
On arrival at Milford Sound your guide will provide you with our delicious picnic lunches and take you to the wharf ready to board the boutique Cruise Milford vessel. The skipper and crew will give you a warm welcome and will be your personal guide throughout the cruise as they mingle amongst the guests.
Your local driver-guide will meet you after the cruise to continue your journey in the Fiordland National Park. The only tour to visit the Hollyford Valley we will take you to a spectacular cascading waterfall followed by our famous picnic in the park for morning or afternoon tea. If the amazing Fiordland rain makes an appearance, we will take you to the historical Gunns Camp where the log fire will be offering a warm welcome. This is the only remaining camp that was used for the building of the road to Milford Sound. There will be time to explore the museum, camp shop and historical cabins.
On arrival back in Te Anau we will drop you back at your accommodation.
Our coaches are small and comfortable with quality leg room, and numbers are limited to 16. We will guarantee you the best possible day.
Coach and Cruise from Queenstown (Small Boutique Tour)
Join Cheeky Kiwi Travel & Cruise Milford on this fully guided, small group day tour from Queenstown to the world-renowned Milford Sound; the crowning jewel of Fiordland.
Start your day with Cheeky Kiwi Travel in a small group comfortable mini bus for your fully guided tour into Fiordland National Park. Highlights of the drive include Lake Wakatipu, Devil’s Staircase, the truly majestic Darran Mountains, Mirror Lake, The Chasm and Homer Tunnel, with multiple stops along the way for photo opportunities and Kea bird spotting (the world’s only alpine parrot).
We then travel through the mind-blowing Homer Tunnel, emerging as the valley descends sharply down to Milford Sound, with its hundreds of waterfalls cascading into crystal clear waters.
At Milford Sound you board the No.1 rated cruise boat in Milford Sound, Cruise Milford for an intimate cruise on our smaller boat that gets right up close with nature and wildlife.
On board your cruise you will have up-close views of thousands of waterfalls, Mitre Peak and local wildlife, providing you with hundreds of amazing photo opportunities along the way. Your hosts will bring the experience to life with commentary and show you best parts of this natural wonder.
After your cruise we begin the return journey back to Queenstown with Cheeky Kiwi Travel.
At the end of the day your guide will drop you back to your Queenstown accommodation.
Tour Inclusions:
- Fully guided small group return tour from Queenstown (maximum 16 passengers)
- Guided Nature Cruise of Milford Sound with Cruise Milford
- Picnic Lunch
- Hotel pick ups and drop offs (specified hotels and pickup points only)
- Regional Highlights Tour including Lake Wakatipu, Devil’s Staircase, Mirror Lake, The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Hollyford River, Darran Mountains and Kea Bird and wildlife spotting
- Refreshments and snacks whilst driving
- On screen entertainment in vehicles
- Multiple stops to purchase food, buy souvenirs or take photos
- Wifi and charging ports available in vehicle
- Transport in modern and comfortable 12 or 17 seater minibuses
By Coach from Queenstown (transport option)
This options for transport from Queenstown is operated by the Grayline Coach Service. They operate a 50-seater coach with glass roof and toilet on-board.
Departing Queenstown at 06:45am, we travel along the side of Lake Wakatipu and through the farming region of Southland before making a 30 minute coffee and rest stop at Te Anau. From Te Anau, we travel the Milford Highway, making stops along the way at great photo opportunities like the Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Monkey Creek and The Chasm. You will arrive in Milford to connect with the boutique Cruise Milford vessel.
Following your cruise, your driver will meet you and transfer you back to Te Anau for another short coffee and rest stop and then on to Queenstown arriving back at approximately 8pm. We pick up and drop off at all major downtown Queenstown hotels and bus stations along Frankton Road including the main Frankton bus shelter. If you are staying out of the main area, then please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist with connecting you to one of the bus pick ups points.
