Milford Sound Day Tour Review: Is the Long Day Trip from Queenstown Worth It?

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Milford Sound Day Tour Map

The above map shows all the stops in this Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown itinerary.

HOW TO USE THE ABOVE MILFORD SOUND DAY TOUR MAP:

Action	Description
Click a Colored Point of Interest	Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest
Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right	Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account
On Larger Map view, Select and Tick the “Day # Directions” Checkbox(es)	The directions from each Point of Interest will appear and follows the itinerary in order as listed for that day
On Larger Map view, click the STAR ☆ under “Milford Sound Day Tour“	Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account to access anytime on Computer* or on Phone App**
* On Computer: In your Google Maps, Click “Saved” on left bar → Click “Maps” → Click “Milford Sound Day Tour“	** On Phone App: In your Google Maps app, Click “You” on bottom bar → Scroll to bottom → Click “Maps” → Click “Milford Sound Day Tour“

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Tour Pick-Up

The tour offers pick up at one of the few hotels that you can select when booking your tour, or in Manage Booking. Since not all Queenstown hotels were in this list, including the one I stayed at, I had to search each hotel and choose the hotel closest to mine as the pick-up point.

Since the tour bus has to pick up from several locations, the tour company messaged the day before to confirm my pick up location and the pick-up time.

We left to walk to the pick-up location a bit early to use the restroom at the hotel before the bus arrived.

Then right around 7:15 AM, the shuttle bus arrived, we boarded, and the journey to Milford Sound began. This meant we can sit back, relax, enjoy the views, and not stress about driving, especially on the famously winding Milford Road.

Road Trip Views and Stops

The journey from Queenstown was a highlight in itself. We passed:

• Rolling farmland filled with herds of sheep! So many sheep!
• Beautiful snow-capped mountain peaks
• Dramatic alpine valleys in Fiordland National Park
• Unique waterfalls streaming down towering rock cliffs

Along the ride, our guide also gave fun facts, Maōri history, and local stories and insights. His commentary really helped make the time go by quickly.

Not to mention, our tour had several stops along the way to Milford Sound that also helped break up the long drive:

Te Anau Rest Stop

The first stop on the tour is at an Alpine Centre Cafe & Bar in Te Anau. Here, you can use the toilets, stretch your legs, and grab some coffee. Right outside of the centre are also 2 statues of the now-extinct Moa bird. These statues show the full size of these majestic birds that are up to 12 feet tall (3.6 meters) and went extinct sadly due to hunting.

You’re not at this rest stop for long to be able to enjoy a full breakfast meal, but you can at least stock up on some snacks and water.

Eglinton Valley

The next stop is at a viewpoint of the Eglinton Valley. Eglinton valley is wide and flat but is completely surrounded by tall snow-capped mountains formed by large ancient glaciers. The stop here is short but you’re given plenty of time to take photos with the awesome backdrop of the valley.

Mirror Lakes Walk

Mirror Lakes is a popular stop for those visiting Fiordland National Park. Here, there’s a wooden walkway with an amazing view of the nearby towering mountains, and the Mirror Lakes. On a calm day, the still water will reflect the surrounding mountains on it, creating a mirror effect, just as the name suggests.

Unfortunately when I visited, there were some winds that created water ripples so I wasn’t able to see the perfect reflection, but the view was still nice.

Lake Gunn

The stop at Lake Gunn is a peaceful stop at a calm crystal-blue lake surrounded by mossy trees and more mountains. When we parked here, our guide also pointed out a cool tree that had fallen down, but then new trees began growing out of it. A great reminder to how incredible nature is.

Milford Sound Lookout

The last stop before getting to the Cruise terminal is at a Milford Sound Lookout. Here, you get a sweeping panorama the dramatic landscape that was carved by an ancient glacier. The mountains sharply tower over the entire valley, and really makes you feel tiny, but in the best way possible. On the nearby cliffs, you may even see streams of waterfall falling down the rock face. Such a unique and breathtaking stop, even if it is a short one.

Milford Sound Cruise

Once we arrived at the docks to board the Milford Sound cruise, we immediately saw the dramatic mountains of the fjord. I couldn’t wait to board the cruise! But before boarding, we each got a bagged lunch that included a sandwich, chips, and water to be enjoyed during the cruise.

Then once we boarded, we cruised along the water passing incredible views of towering cliffs covered with lush greenery, waterfall pouring into the fjord, and snowcapped mountains framing every view.

Milford Sound completely captivated me and I took TONS of pictures. When we circled around, we went right up to Stirling Falls where we got close enough to feel its powerful mist. Be sure to bring a waterproof jacket for this part!

The Drive Back

After the cruise, we hopped back on the bus for the return journey back to Queenstown. Most people napped (including me), and there was another stop along the way to take a break and use the restroom. The peaceful ride back through the mountains was the perfect way to end the tour.

We arrived back in Queenstown around X PM, relaxed, tired, but satisfied with our long day out.

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Is It Worth It?

Here are pros & cons to help decide:

👍PROS	⚠️CONS/WHAT TO CONSIDER
One of the most breathtaking natural sights in New Zealand	Very long day (12–13 hours)
Stress-free: transportation, stops, and cruise arranged for you	Early wake-up required (around 7 AM or earlier)
Scenic stops along the drive	Can feel rushed if you prefer to explore slowly
Professional commentary + local insights	Weather can be rainy/overcast (though dramatic!)
No need to drive twisty mountain roads	Limited food stops — pack snacks
Cruise included with chance to spot wildlife	Motion sickness possible on winding road & boat
Great for photos: waterfalls, peaks, fjords	Crowds during peak travel seasons
Relaxing way to see the Fiordland region	Less flexibility than self-drive or overnight stays
Good value considering distance & inclusions	Return drive after a full day can be tiring

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