Te Anau Trip Overview
Join us for the most in-depth and authentic Milford Sound day trip experience. The only day trip from Te Anau to include a visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory.
Explore Fiordland National Park on the most in-depth day trip experience from Te Anau. Sit back and relax as your expert driver navigates the Milford Road. Journey through spectacular natural landscapes as your local coach driver provides engaging and informative commentary and shows you the best short walks and photo stops along the way.
In Milford join our smaller boat, Milford Sound Discover More Cruise. Soak up breath-taking scenic views and get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and waterfalls. Our expert skippers specialist will share their local knowledge.
At the underwater observatory, descend 10 metres below the surface to check out the local sea life and rare black coral. A delicious picnic lunch is included.
Departs summer months only, December to February
Additional Info
Duration: 13 hours
Starts: Te Anau, New Zealand
Trip Category: Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours >> Day Cruises
Explore Te Anau Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Te Anau, Southland, New Zealand
Join us for the most in-depth and authentic Milford Sound day trip experience. The only day trip from Te Anau to include a visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory.
Explore Fiordland National Park on the most in-depth day trip experience from Te Anau. Sit back and relax as your expert driver navigates the Milford Road. Journey through spectacular natural landscapes as your local coach driver provides engaging and informative commentary and shows you the best short walks and photo stops along the way.
In Milford join our smaller boat, Milford Sound Discover More Cruise. Soak up breath-taking scenic views and get within touching distance of impressive rock walls and waterfalls. Our expert skippers specialist will share their local knowledge.
At the underwater observatory, descend 10 metres below the surface to check out the local sea life and rare black coral. A delicious picnic lunch is included.
Departs summer months only, December to February
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Te Anau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
Your journey starts here. Set off on a day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound and enjoy a more intimate experience of Milford Sound. Discover the native wildlife, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains of the fiord on an intimate cruise on a smaller boat.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Eglinton Valley, Milford Sound New Zealand
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.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mirror Lakes Walk, Milford Road,, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Eglinton Valley Camp, 6178 Te Anau Milford Highway, Fiordland National Park 9679, New Zealand
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).
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Lake Gunn, State Highway 94, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Lake Gunn is a strikingly beautiful lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
Stop At: Monkey Creek, Milford Sound New Zealand
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Homer Tunnel, 94 S.h., Milford Sound New Zealand
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: Cleddau River, Southland 9679, New Zealand
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.
Stop At: The Chasm Walk, Milford Road State Highway 94 , Fiordland National Park, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Should weather and time permit, enjoy a short walk here as a part of your Milford Sound day trip with Southern Discoveries. Dramatic views of a rock chasm and waterfalls formed by the rushing waters of the Cleddau River. This is an easy walk along a well maintained trail and is approximately 20 minutes in length.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Te Anau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
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.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Southern Discoveries – Milford Sound Visitor Centre, Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand
Your nature experience starts here. Board your Southern Discoveries vessel and find a seat in front of one of the many full size windows as the beauty begins to unravel around you. Cruise on our small boat while our on board nature guide chats with you and answer questions. Drink glacial water, touch natural artifacts and get under massive waterfalls.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Mitre Peak, Southland 9679, New Zealand
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: Stirling Falls, Milford Sound New Zealand
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.
Stop At: Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
Journey through spectacular landscapes as your experienced, local coach driver provides engaging and informative commentary. Take in some of the best photo stops and short walks on the road to Milford Sound.
Stop At: Southern Discoveries – Milford Sound Underwater Observatory, Milford Wharf Harrison Cove, Milford Sound New Zealand
The adventure continues at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory where you can experience the amazing world beneath the surface. Descend 64 steps (10 metres) underwater into a large viewing area where windows open your eyes to this underwater haven.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Bowen Falls, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound 9679 New Zealand
The permanent Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall at 162m. Not only breathtakingly beautiful, without it Milford Sound couldn’t operate; with it being their sole source of power and water. She quadruples in volume during Milford’s epic storms – one of the best ways to truly enjoy the falls is to stand on the foreshore to feel the spray.
