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Please request transport when making your booking and we will get back to you regarding availability. When we are informed in advance about guests with hindered mobility, we make every effort to mitigate the impact by assigning rooms in proximity to the main areas. However, it’s important to note that our vessels are not optimally equipped for potential needs. We recommend each passenger brings no more than a carry-on sized bag due to space restrictions in the cabins. For a list of what to bring please see the 'more info' section or your booking confirmation. Overnight parking is available in the Realnz coach area outside of the Milford Terminal for $30, from 3.30pm until 11am the following morning.
We’ve collated popular Milford Sound day tours here and prices start from just $179 including the cruise.
Tours from Te Anau also don’t leave until around 9 am so you get a little bit of a sleep-in on your holiday! You can reserve this tour for $264 NZD per person, and I recommend booking it in advance. The absolute best Milford Sound cruise is this small boat boutique cruise, so you can get right up to the stunning landscape of the fiord. This was the best decision of my trip so far - highly recommend.
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Scenic cruise lures Kiwis to Milford Sound with $1 fares - New Zealand Herald
Scenic cruise lures Kiwis to Milford Sound with $1 fares.
Posted: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
I must've gotten lucky, because most of the other guests had booked a year in advance. Visiting Milford Sound in the rain is not just worth it, it's a unique and magical experience! Unlike typical preferences for sunny weather, Milford Sound truly comes alive in the rain. The rain adds a moody atmosphere, transforms the landscape, and fuels an impressive display of hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the rugged mountains.
Fiordland
This helicopter tour from Queenstown soars over Milford Sound and lands for a 2-hour cruise. Upon flying back, you’ll land on top of Mt Tutoko to walk on a glacier. On the helicopter flights, you’ll have commentary from your pilot and might even spot dolphins and seals in the water. The best month to visit Milford Sound is all year round! Contrary to specific months, any time from January to December offers a spectacular experience. On sunny days, witness the stunning contrast of blue skies against majestic mountain peaks.
A sound, on the other hand, is a river valley flooded by the sea following a rise in sea levels or depression of the land, or a combination of both. Throughout Fiordland the fiords are officially mapped as sounds. Guests should always allow extra time for themselves to check in and board their vessels. You are required to check-in at the RealNZ counter 30min prior to departure.
Day Unseen Fiordland & Stewart Island
For a relaxing journey, we recommend allowing plenty of time for photo stops, lunch/drink breaks and for exploring the local area. Spending the night in this very special part of the world means truly taking in its splendour. Our small group cruises accommodate a maximum of 22 passengers per night, in nine climate-controlled cabins each with ensuite and sea views. If you are not confident about driving in winter conditions then take a RealNZ coach to Milford Sound so you can relax and take in the stunning scenery. Doubtful Sound is located in the heart of Fiordland National Park where the mountains are still very impressive but not as high as Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a sea surface area roughly ten times larger than Milford Sound.
If driving, make sure you fill your vehicle with petrol in Te Anau before travelling to Milford as there are no petrol stations at Milford Sound or en route. The journey to Milford Sound is just as spectacular as the destination itself. Milford Sound is around 5-6 hours (one-way) from Queenstown and around 3 hours from Te Anau by road.
My last option is something I have never had the pleasure of doing but honestly is a dream of mine! Spending the night on a Milford Sound cruise is the most epic way to explore the fiord. The next way I highly recommend you to consider is the bus ride to Milford Sound with a return flight back to Queenstown.
Seal Rock
If relaxation is more your style, then you can choose to soak up the views from the deck, read a book, or interact with our knowledgeable crew. As evening falls, enjoy a lavish three course buffet carvery in the dining saloon. Evening dining includes a three-course meal (vegetarian option available – please advise if required at the time of booking). Then relax in the company of fellow travellers or indulge in some star-gazing before retiring to your private cabin. In the morning enjoy a choice of cooked and continental breakfast, served in the dinning saloon.
All tours combine the cruise in Milford Sound and many include a lunch option. You’ll also get plenty of opportunities to stop for those iconic photographs en-route and the local drivers provide great commentary to keep you entertained throughout the day. RealNZ offers one-night overnight cruises in Milford Sound and one or two-night overnight cruises in Doubtful Sound. For the most adventurous explorers, we offer multi-day Discovery Cruises in Fiordland’s remotest fiords, as well as around the quiet beaches and forest of Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island. However, if you’re looking to make the most out of your scenic flight experience, you can land on top of a glacier too!
They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates. On your cruise, you can see New Zealand Fur Seals (very common), Fiordland Crested Penguins, dolphins, and a range of New Zealand bird species. Milford Sound has been a tourist attraction for over a hundred years, but in the early days, the journey to Milford was done on foot or horseback. In a busy place like Milford Sound, having a more intimate experience is everything and well worth searching for. The best part is that we’ve actually outlined the best cruise to do in Milford Sound instead of just giving you every option available, which really doesn’t narrow it down. Because, let’s be honest, not every cruise in Milford Sound is worth the hype.
Milford Sound cruises must be experienced to be believed. The stunning sheer cliffs surrounding you, the inky blackness of the water and the frosty alpine peaks looming over it all combine to create a stunning tableau. Have already told others to go on the overnight cruise it was the best trip we have been on. Our large family group of nine sailed on the Fiordland Jewel for their overnight cruise in Milford Sound, and I am finding that words fail me in trying to convey how wonderful it was. We were in the midst of a 3-week trip to New Zealand and Australia, and this was without doubt the highlight of the entire trip. Our friendly professional driver will pick you up from your accommodation and return you there following your cruise.
There are a number of Milford Sound overnight tour packages available, including self drive options and options with coach transport included. You could also book a scenic flight back from Milford Sound. If you’d like to experience Milford Sound without the crowds, and spend a little longer out on the water, you might be interested in an overnight cruise. Exploring Milford Sound offers a unique opportunity to witness these creatures in their natural habitats. Whether you're walking through the temperate rainforest, driving the mountain road, or embarking on a scenic cruise, the chances of encountering wildlife are high.
If you’re self-driving then be sure to read my post on the perfect Milford Sound itinerary from Queenstown. Although the article starts in Queenstown, just use the stops and estimated times as a guide from Te Anau onwards. The Fiordland Jewel is beautiful and comfortable, the staff exceedingly friendly and helpful, the food was excellent, and staterooms and beds very comfortable. The cruise crew were all friendly and welcoming and made sure we had a great time. Having the opportunity to swim, kayak and jump of the boat was exciting and made our experience so much fun. Our ultimate guide will give you all the tips you need to plan that special holiday in the south island including Queenstown, Te Anau, Stewart Island and Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
Afternoon cruise up most of the Milford sound then anchored overnight and the next morning cruised up to the Tasman Sea then back to docks. Small crew does triple duty to make sure everyone is well cared for onboard. Unlike the Milford Sound Track, a Milford Sound cruise is amazing at any time of the year! In fact, going on a cruise in Milford in winter (as we did once) was perfect because it was not very busy and the surrounding mountains were covered in snow!
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