Experience

Milford Sound from Te Anau

Trips & Tramps offers two very different ways to experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes, from a relaxed sightseeing day to an active, immersive wilderness walk.

Te Anau is the closest township to Milford Sound, with a scenic drive of around two hours each way along the famous Milford Road. The journey passes through glacier-carved valleys, mirror-like lakes, towering granite cliffs and the impressive Homer Tunnel, making the drive an experience in its own right. Travelling with a guided tour is the best, and safest way to enjoy this spectacular route while learning about the natural and cultural history of Fiordland National Park.

Te Anau is one of New Zealand’s true hidden gems. Located on the edge of a vast, glacier-carved lake and surrounded by wilderness, it’s the ideal base for exploring Fiordland. Staying a night or two allows you to experience the ‘real’ Fiordland - relaxed, uncrowded and deeply connected to the landscape.

Two Ways to Experience Milford Sound

We offer two guided Milford Sound tours from Te Anau, each designed for a different style of travel and level of activity.

Coach, Cruise & Walks

Coach, Cruise & Walks is a relaxed and informative day trip, ideal for those wanting a comprehensive and leisurely Milford Sound experience. Travelling by small coach from Te Anau, you’ll enjoy regular scenic stops along the Milford Road, short nature walks, and plenty of opportunities for photos. The Milford Sound cruise takes place in the morning, allowing you to experience the fiord at its quietest. After the cruise, you’ll spend much of the afternoon exploring Fiordland, with time for walks, scenic stops and interpretation along the road back to Te Anau, all led by a knowledgeable local guide.

Milford Track & Cruise

Milford Track & Cruise is a more active and immersive Milford Sound experience. This option combines a guided walk on the world-famous Milford Track with a scenic cruise on Milford Sound. The focus is on being in the landscape rather than travelling the road, there are no scenic stops along the Milford Road on this tour. Instead, your time is spent walking through ancient rainforest, alongside rivers and beneath towering peaks on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. This experience is best suited to those with a good level of fitness who want a deeper, more immersive connection with Fiordland’s wilderness.

Because Te Anau is significantly closer to Milford Sound than Queenstown (by around two hours of driving each way), both tours allow you to spend less time on the road and more time experiencing the natural beauty of Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park.