Top Te Anau Day Trips & Excursions

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most visited natural wonders and this full-day tour allows you to experience the UNESCO-listed landscapes from all angles. Soar over the mountains and lakes of the Fiordland National Park on a small-plane flight; enjoy a 2-hour cruise across Milford Sound; zip along the Dart River on a jet boat; and get close to nature on a forest hike.

Upon reaching Milford Sound, board a luxurious catamaran for a 1 hour 45 minute cruise. Peer through panoramic windows of a luxury coach while you travel through the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, before a memorable sightseeing cruise past Mitre Peak and the magnificent cliff-side waterfalls of Milford Sound.

Join a Doubtful Sound cruise from Queenstown and discover this alpine gem nestled in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Traveling by coach, you’ll take a ferry across Lake Manapouri and cross over Wilmot Pass for your 3-hour catamaran cruise. You’ll be struck by the fiord’s vivid beauty as you search for dolphins, fur seals and penguins amid a dramatic landscape of soaring granite peaks and crystal-clear waters. 

See the sheer cliffs of Milford Sound from the air and water on a 4.5-hour tour from Queenstown by sightseeing plane and catamaran. Fly over Fjordland National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Centre landscape, then touch down at Milford Sound for a cruise with lunch and drinks served on board. This 4.5-hour tour is perfect for photography and wildlife watching, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Queenstown hotels is included.

Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Explore the stunning fiord by air and water during a half-day excursion. The exhilarating, round-trip helicopter flight from Queenstown includes a glacier landing on Mt. Tutoko. Perhaps spot dolphins, seals, and penguins during an unforgettable cruise.

Experience the landscape of Milford Sound and Fjordland National Park on mountain roadways, a 1-hour, 45-minute nature cruise, and a sightseeing flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. Along the way you’ll see some of the South Island's most remarkable scenery, such as Eglinton Valley, the Mirror Lakes, Stirling Falls, and Sutherland Falls, and Milford Sound is ideal for spotting wildlife. This 9-hour combination tour includes transport by glass-roof coach, catamaran boat, and plane, as well as lunch, refreshments, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Enjoy an adrenaline-fuelled introduction to the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Fiordland National Park. Your action-packed full-day itinerary kicks off with a fishing and jet boating excursion along the Waiau River, followed by a thrilling helicopter flight over the dramatic fiords. After touching down on Mount Luxmore for a picnic lunch (included), you’ll set out to hike a 3-hour stretch of the famous Kepler Track. This small-group tour includes hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Te Anau.

Get a comprehensive tour of Milford Sound with this combination coach and boat cruise. Book ahead to ensure you see the area’s highlights; first traveling along Milford Sound Road in a glassed-in coach for panoramic views, stopping for photo ops and short walks. Then transfer to a boat for a scenic cruise on the Tasman Sea, during which you will dig in to a buffet lunch with unlimited coffee and tea.

Tucked away in the South Island’s beautiful fiordland region, Milford Sound ranks among New Zealand’s most impressive natural attractions—but its remote location makes access challenging. On this tour, enjoy round-trip transport from Te Anau to Milford Sound aboard your premium glass-roof coach and admire panoramic views over the countryside scenery. With buffet lunch included, take to the water for a Milford Sound cruise, and discover native wildlife among the towering waterfalls.

Admire the rugged beauty of Milford Sound from the water on this full-day luxury coach tour with cruise from Queenstown. Travel through the New Zealand countryside by air-conditioned coach as a guide sheds light on the region’s diverse flora and fauna. Pause on route for photo stops, and capture fine views over the peaks and forests. During your Milford Sound cruise, marvel at the mighty waterfalls crashing over the high cliffs, and watch the waves for dolphins, penguins and seals. A simple picnic lunch is provided on board.

See Fiordland in style on this luxury day tour. The glass-roofed bus allows you to see the wide-angled scenery uninterrupted on the drive from Queenstown. Cruise on Milford Sound in a boat that’s smaller than many others, allowing you to visit small bays and coves and see wildlife from up close. Return to Queenstown via spectacular scenic flight over fiords, valleys, and mountains.

A Milford Sound scenic flight over the Southern Alps back to Queenstown completes this full-day tour by land, sea and sky. Before your 1-hour and 45-minute cruise, travel by coach to the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, stopping at the Mirror Lakes. You’ll see the world-famous fiord, including Mitre Peak, and other natural glories from the water, then get a bird’s-eye view from the air that will take your breath away.

With waterfalls cascading down mighty cliffs and some of New Zealand’s most impressive natural scenery, Milford Sound is one the South Island’s must-see destinations—but its remote location makes it hard to reach alone. On this tour, spin through the New Zealand countryside in comfort from central Queenstown with your guide. Admire panoramic views from your glass-roof coach, and cruise the calm waters with Kiwi-style buffet lunch included.

A Milford Sound cruise, scenic drive and return helicopter ride complete this extraordinary day trip from Queenstown. See the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park by land, sea and air, starting with vivid landscapes viewed through your glass-roof luxury coach along Milford Road. The 2-hour cruise covers the entire length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea, while the 40-minute helicopter flight takes you over Mt Tutoko and Lake Wakatipu, with a brief landing on Donne Glacier (weather permitting).

Enjoy a Milford Sound cruise during a one-way day trip, departing Queenstown to Te Anau, the gateway to World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park. Break for morning tea before traveling through the Eglinton Valley and pausing at Mirror Lakes en route to majestic Milford Sound, where glacier-scarred rock walls like famous Mitre Peak rise from the sea. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off with commentary on board the coach and cruise boat.

Travel along the spectacular Milford Road on a full-day Milford Sound tour from Te Anau. Have the chance to see native wildlife like the endangered kea (an alpine parrot), seals, dolphins, and the Fiordland crested penguin. Visit Gunns Camp, take short walks to beautiful sights including the Chasm and Marian Cascade, and take a 2-hour sightseeing cruise on the Milford Sound. Includes entrance fees, boat cruise with live commentary, morning tea, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Be mesmerized by Milford Sound on a full-day trip from Te Anau to Queenstown. Travel through World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park and go sightseeing on a Milford Sound cruise past majestic Mitre Peak. Enjoy a buffet lunch or opt for a Japanese-style bento box (if selected). Includes hotel pickup and drop-off with commentary on board the coach and cruise boat.

Embark on a Milford Track guided walk with picnic lunch and catamaran cruise during this day trip from Te Anau. A nature guide leads you on a leisurely hike through ancient beech forest and grassy flats on the first section of the Milford Track, one of the New Zealand Great Walks located in UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. You’ll hike in a small group with a maximum of 12 people per guide, allowing for a personalized experience, suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

On this tour, you’ll visit a destination ranked one of the world’s most beautiful places—Milford Sound. Take the stress out of driving on unfamiliar mountain roads by having round-trip transportation included. You’ll travel with a knowledgeable driver who will entertain you with stories about New Zealand and stop off at interesting viewpoints en route. The highlight of the day is a scenic boat cruise at Milford Sound—spot native wildlife and see picturesque mountain views.