Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend you book in advance to secure your place on our tours, as space is limited, particularly during the months of November through to March.

We pride ourselves in providing a quality modern fleet of vehicles, all are purchased NZ new and custom fitted to our touring requirements.  Our fleet includes;

• Hybrid vehicle, Toyota and Kia, suitable for private charters 2-3 people.
• Hyundai Staria, suitable for 2-6 people.
• Mercedes Sprinters, short wheel base for 6-11 people or long wheel base for up to 16 people.

Yes we do like to leave fairly early in the morning, and you are on holiday but we do so for a very good reason!  We wish to maximise the quality of your day by avoiding the midday crowds at Milford Sound and making the most of the calmer morning weather conditions. Every fine, sunny day during summer months results in a strong day breeze developing mid to late morning which causes the fiord to chop up. Our early starts make the most of the calmer water conditions for excellent photo opportunities and brilliant wildlife observing.

We offer a variety of trips to suit everybody of all ages, including family groups. Take a look around the photos and choose the one that appeals to you and if you cannot decide if it will be suitable, don't hesitate to contact us!

Our trips are mostly done at a leisurely pace, and our local guides love to share their knowledge of the area. Plus our small groups, ensures the guide will be there if you need them. Our Milford Track guided walk does have a tighter timeline, so we have to set a steady walking pace of around 3 km per hour. Please see the walk details on each page description for further details.

As a general guide we recommend you are capable of walking for 3-4 hours to enjoy the guided hike. Although the tracks are well-formed, they can be rough and rocky underfoot in some places, and the weather can make the hike more challenging on some days.

Note: a guided walk is not recommended for guests with neurological conditions that affect stability, mobility, and decision making. It is also not suitable for those with recent knee injuries, recent surgery, moderate to severe joint issues and moderate to severe heart conditions. Finally, a group guided walk is not suitable for those who may wish to physically extend themselves by going further or faster than the average person, or for those who are not interested in participating in a group activity. However, we believe in giving everyone the opportunity to experience these Great Walks in a way that meets their wants and needs, and we can accommodate most restrictions on a private basis. If you think you fall into one of the categories listed above, please contact us to discuss booking a private trip.

Our Milford Sound tours and guided walks (except Milford Track) depart from the Te Anau township. Accommodation pickups within the town boundaries are available if details are provided. Alternatively our central pick up is the Fiordland Event Centre 20/22 Luxmore Drive, Te Anau.  There is plenty of free all day parking for all size vehicles (including campervans) here.

The exception is our Milford Track guided walk which has the option to depart from Milford Sound, if you have selected this departure point you will need to make your own way there. Milford Sound is a recommended 2 hour drive from Te Anau, plus you need to allow time to park, so we recommend a 6.00 am departure from Te Anau. Milford Sound Tourism has implemented paid parking in the main Milford carparks. The cost is currently set from $10 per hour. This fee is payable by credit card only. On the Deepwater Basin Road there is free parking on a gravel overflow car park. We recommend you be at Milford parked up by 8.00 am in the gravel car park on Deepwater Basin Road if you wish to have free parking. From here it is a 20 minute walk to the main Terminal building where we meet.

Our groups are always small and personal, we take a pride in ensuring a quality interaction! If you are choosing a scheduled trip we have the following maximum numbers;

Milford Sound From Te Anau - These have no minimum number and will go year round (except the odd day, including 25 December being a Christmas Day), because we are the local Milford Sound posties! The maximum number we take on these trips is 15 in one group.  We will run more than one coach most days, though it is a good idea to book early to avoid missing out. On Milford Sound we travel on the Mitre Peak Cruise, which will have more people on board (maximum 75 people), as it is not exclusive to our tours.  However there is plenty of space and lots of good viewing!

Fiordland Guided Day Walks - The Milford, Routeburn and Kepler guided walks have a maximum group size of 12 and 1 Trips & Tramps guide.  Lake Marian is limited to a maximum group size of 6 people. All walks have a minimum number of 2 to proceed, so if you are a single traveler we do recommend checking in advance to confirm the departure. 

Private Tours and Transport - If you wish to travel with just your companions, or have a special request we can run a trip just for you.  We can cater for 1-16 people in a group... or more if you wish to travel in multiple vehicles. Contact us to see what we can do for you.

For all excursions our child rates are applicable as follows;

Infant 0-4 years inclusive

Child 5-15 years inclusive

If you are booking an infant on the Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Walk from Anau we will not provide any lunch for them (due to the potential for choking hazards). However we have car seats available that can be fitted in the vehicle prior to your collection, meaning one less hassle for you. So please ensure you let us know their age so we can sort this out.

Child Policy on guided walks

Please note our guided walks are recommended for children 8 years + only. However younger children may be catered for on a private guided walk, please contact us for more details.

Unfortunately we are unable to take infants or young children on our guided walks for health and safety reasons. The major concern is the weather and the pace set. We cannot guarantee fine weather, and should it be raining on the day (which Fiordland is prone to) young children do not have the ability to keep warm enough.  

The owners of Trips and Tramps, Steve and Kate, have 4 children of their own and so this age limit has been decided based on their own personal experiences.

We often get asked what the main differences are between our Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Walk and the Milford Track and Cruise package.

So we have made a summary for you to assist when making your decision about which trip is right for you. Alternatively check out the more indepth blog - What is the best trip for me at Milford Sound?