Four of us went on a cruise on Milford Sound. It was very picturesque and the guide was knowledgeable and funny. We decided to take the bus from Te Anau as part of the tour. This was better than driving because we got running commentary and the bus knew where to stop to get great photos along the way. It also meant I could take in the views without driving. The bus also gave us a bag with our lunch to take on the cruise. Lunch was not available on our cruise. It did have tea, coffee and biscuits. If you are in the area, you need to see Milford Sound.

Went on the mv mariner where you stay on board overnight and you get to see and experience the sound without all the crowds. The bus trip which was included in the price was a full size touring bus which was a pleasant surprise. Our driver (Craig) was fantastic and stopped at many lookouts etc and was very informative. Cabin was compact and as suggested an overnight bag is best. Food was quite good and staff were friendly. A great experience.

Wonderful scenic 360 degree views. Thanks to a fabulous weather - we could see Penguin, seal and dolphins. The drive from Queenstown was also fabulous however the stop of Mirror lakes was a big disappointment - No reflection in the Lakes !

This trip takes about 12 hours. We were picked up at 6:55am and were dropped off at 7pm. Long day but worth the experience. Milford sound seems to be the favourite and popular amongst the visitors but I prefer Doubtful Sound. Both are equally majestic. However, Doubtful Sound total drive (return trip) is about 5 ½ hours where Milford Sound is about 9 ½ hours (round trip). From memory, the first drive was about 2 hour 45 minutes. It starts from Frankton Road bus depot and it stops in Te Anau town. You get a 30-minute break and it is another 2 hours to Milford Sound. This is one-way. You take the same road back home. The total driving hours were 9 ½ hours. A bit too much but at night whilst you are sleeping you are dreaming of those beautiful mountains and the Milford Sound. Our driver from Real NZ, Nathan was a responsible driver, professional with a touch of humour. He was very patient as he had to manage over 50 passengers. Not an easy task. I normally tip the drivers as you can appreciate the long driving they have to do and keep focused on the road. Weather: We were in Queenstown in late November but temperatures were dropping to 10°C at night and during the day it goes up to 18°C. The locals have told us that summer in New Zealand starts in late January and temperatures do not go over 30°C. Make sure to have a jacket and a cap. The only suggestion I would like to point out to Real NZ is that if they can stop every 100 minutes (1 hour and 40 minutes) as this will give the passengers some opportunity to shake their legs and get some fresh air. This trip takes roads by the mountain side which means the roads are going to be winding (curvy roads). The road to Milford Sound is beautiful as you get an overdose of mountains, nature, lakes, fjords, sheep farms, cow farms, deer farms, horses. Absolutely stunning!

After the 2 hour road trip by hire car from te Anau we arrived at Milford Sound for our real NZ 2 hour cruise pre booked from the UK Just a word of advice re parking! Don’t park in the fee paying car park at the end of the road near where the ferries go from About 10-15 mins away there are free car parks. In addition there is a free shuttle bus to and from the ferry quay so really its a no brainier not to park there The cruise was really good in excellent weather and a nice not in your face commentary One other thing coffee and cake etc is unavailable from the ferry terminal. You need to buy it ( prices reasonable) from the tourist centre about 5 mins walk away or alternatively BYO

Beautiful experience, highly recommend. The car park here charges an extortionate amount. We paid around £20 to park for a few hours. Be sure to plan your visit times carefully to reflect this.

We were on a 24 hour coach trip from Queenstown. Only @8 people on coach. Had an overnight stay on boat. Food was better than we were expecting. Opportunities to swim off boat, kyack or go on tender. Pod of dolphins swam alongside boat

We drove by car to Milford Sound from Te Anau taking various stops along the way and these stops need to be factored in on planning the journey. Allow 2.5 hours for travel by car and add extra for stops. The road is weather dependent and parts of it are challenging. Check the weather and advisories before setting off plus ensure some provision in case of emergency. Parking at the car park at Milford Sound is tight. Meters have now been installed requiring payment in advance by card on the machine after guesstimating time required. Penalties for overstaying. I've been to Milford Sound on several occasions and suggest that travel by bus is now the way to go in terms of comfort and cost effectiveness. Travelling from Queenstown by road makes it a very long day and from Te Anau less so. Milford Sound is a spectacular Fiord although much smaller than Doubtful Sound which is my preference. There are a variety of vessels offering trips with commentaries and food options. There is a large embarcation area adjacent to the buses arriving and a short walk from the car park. Sandflies are an issue so repellents are essential kit. Milford Sound is definitely a bucket list adventure. The weather in Fiordland is very variable even within a single day. I have been fortunate to see Milford Sound on one of the clearest and brightest days and also on days where the visibility has been extremely limited by mist. If there are a few days to spare in Te Anau, best to check the weather forecast to avoid disappointment.

We spent last Thursday cruising the Fiordland National Park, starting with the stunning Milford Sound. With its countless waterfalls, dramatic peaks, some still snow covered and the dark, deep & still waters it really is a special wilderness. And being as remote as it is, we only saw three other boats and two aircraft during our time here.

I recommend to book your boat ride enough of time in advance, so you secure your place and don't stress out at the last minute. The boat ride takes about 2 hours and it's commented ride with a few stops at the waterfalls or the rocks with seals at the place. Count with a long driving time to get to the place and then to get back. So if you travel from Queenstown, leave early in the morning. There is a very lovely flower field on the way to the place/back that I recommend to stop at and take a few photos with the flowers. You will see a lot of people around, so you shouldn't miss the place.