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Otago Dolphin & whale watching

Our most recommended Otago Dolphin & whale watching

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

1. Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

Enjoy a fun and leisurely day trip to admire the glacial features, wild flora and fauna, and picturesque backdrops of the world-famous fiord at Milford Sound. Start with pickup for the bus journey to Te Anau. Your driver will share their local knowledge as you stop along the way to see spectacular scenery. Marvel at views of waterfalls, wildlife, and the rainforest. Soak up the sights from any of the three indoor and outdoor viewing decks during your cruise and join your jovial crew at the bow as you nose under Stirling Falls for a free shower in some of the world's freshest water.  Benefit from complimentary tea service is available for the entire cruise and espresso coffee, snacks cakes. Additional drinks can be purchased from onboard cafe / bar.

From Te Anau: Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Lunch

2. From Te Anau: Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Lunch

Take a guided tour by comfortable minibus to explore the natural beauty of Milford Sound and the surrounding area. Your tour includes a sightseeing cruise, a picnic lunch, and plenty of scenic stops along the way. Meet your guide in Te Anau and drive along the lakeside, making a stop at Te Anau Downs to soak in the scenery. Enter the Fiordland National Park and visit Eglinton Valley, to admire the landscape carved by an ancient glacier. Continue to Mirror Lakes and see the Earl Mountains reflected in these clear waters. Relax and take photos by Lake Gunn, before continuing towards Hollyford River. Pass the waterfall at Falls Creek as you head higher into the Darran Mountains, stopping at viewpoints along the way. Keep a look out for local wildlife, including kea, the world’s largest alpine parrot. Enter Homer Tunnel and learn this history of this hand-built tunnel, before arriving at Milford Sound. Board the boat for a sightseeing cruise and see impressive views of Mitre Peak. Back on dry land, take a bush walk through The Chasm and snap photos at Pop's View Lookout, on the return journey to Te Anau.

From Queenstown: 2 Day Fiordland National Park Adventure

3. From Queenstown: 2 Day Fiordland National Park Adventure

The ultimate small group Fiordland combo experience combining a premium Cheeky Kiwi Travel tour to the top Highlights around Te Anau & Milford Sound, a Milford Sound boutique cruise, your choice of a Milford Track day walk or a Milford Sound kayaking experience, Overnight accommodation in Te Anau and a picnic lunch all from Queenstown. This tour is the ultimate way to do the Fiordland region right. Itinerary: Day 1: 1. Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu - Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. Your guide will point out highlights while setting the scene for the day. As we wind our way around Lake Wakatipu, with amazing views of ‘The Remarkables’ Mountain Range and the lake, stopping for photos is a must. 2. Lake Te Anau – After more amazing views we arrive in Te Anau, home to Lake Te Anau, NZ’s second largest lake. Here we stop for a break before starting the Highlights Tour and making our way to Lake Te Anau, exploring the edges and visiting our favourite spot. 3. Te Anau Bird Sanctuary - We continue to the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary for a guided tour and to see some of the rarest birds in the country including the Takahe and Kaka. You will learn about these animals and local environment while exploring this Te Anau asset. 4. Dead Marshes & Rainbow Reach - We visit our first famous LOTR attraction, a viewpoint looking over The Dead Marshes from an elevated position. At Rainbow Reach a cable bridge over the Waiau River (known as The River Anduin in LOTR) leads us into the forest and Kepler Track. 5. Lake Manapouri - Gateway to the Doubtful Sounds, explore the shores of this crystal-clear lake and hearing about its history including the construction of the Manapouri hydro dam, the largest in the country. Then have a quick break at a local coffee shop. 6. Mavora Lakes - Next we make our way to one of the most famous LOTR sights and hidden gems of the region, Mavora Lakes. Enjoy free time to explore, eat lunch or act out some LOTR scenes! 7. Te Anau - We return to Te Anau to check you into your accommodation and free time for the afternoon. Day 2 8. Fiordland National Park - Visit Eglington Valley, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, Hollyford River, Falls Creek, the Darran Mountains and Homer Tunnel on the way to Milford Sound. 9. Milford Sound - Board your cruise with Cruise Milford, TripAdvisors No. 1 Cruise operator in Milford Sound. Offering a boutique cruise on a smaller, less crowded boat and with a crew that gives an informative and personal tour, this tour brings you closer to wildlife and nature. Unbeatable 10. Mitre Peak - While on the boat cruise you will be able to marvel at the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak, the iconic Milford Sound mountain. 11. Pop's View Lookout, Te Anau and Queenstown - - After your cruise, do not fear the adventure is not over, there is the return journey with many more amazing stops.

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What people are saying about Otago

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 152 reviews

Easy pick up and drop off. Everything was clearly explained. Guide had lots of good info about many different things on the way down. Had extra stops on the way down for photo opportunities of scenery and wildlife (but these are subject to availability). The boat trip was great. Loved being out on the different levels decks for easy access to seeing the amazing scenery- so majestic!! Very worth seeing!! Lunch was provided and had a good range in the bag - pie, apple, cheese and crackers, chips, muesli bar. It is a long day bussing back but can sleep on the bus .

My husband and I booked a 9.40am day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound return. The bus driver had lots of stories about Mouri heritage and was informative about the scenery we drove through. There were plenty of stops along the way for photos. The cruise was spectacular and lunch provided was very good. It was quite late when we returned to Queenstown but thoroughly enjoyed our day

Amazing time. We drove from Kingston and took three tour to Milford Sound. I'm glad I didn't there directly as I would have missed so much. Our driver, Dave, was knowledgeable and attentive with a great sense of humor. Knew all the best places to stop. The boat into the Sound was comfortable and a great experience.

Although we had an issue with overlooking and had to wait for one hour, the weather was perfect for the day and we enjoyed the trip to Milford Sound. It could have been a better experience without the hassle to change the coach and the frustration. Overall it is worth the trip.

Scott was a really knowledgeable and helpful guide and made the day an outstandingly memorable one.