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Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise
5.01 review
Highlights & inclusions
Nature guide: onboard to share stories of the fiord's history, geology and wildlife.
Stay aboard a traditional scow-style vessel.
Private cabins with ensuite bathrooms or shared, bunk-style compartments.
Generous buffet dinner including dessert, with a cooked and continental breakfast the following morning.
Water activities: explore the fiord by kayak or tender boat, guided by a specialist guide (weather permitting).
Wildlife spotting opportunities: watch for seals, dolphins, tawaki (Fiordland crested penguins), native birds and seabirds.
From
$558.62AUD
Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to experience
1. Select date
June 2026
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Hot Deal
Last minute deal
2. Select participants
Adult • Single
0
Adult • Twin/Double
0
Children • Twin-Share Cabin Ages 2-15
0
Adults• Family Share• 3 guests required
0
Children• Family Share• 3 guests required
0
What you can expect
Experience the magic of Milford Sound with an overnight cruise that lets you truly connect with the untouched beauty of Fiordland. As evening settles over the fiord, you’ll be surrounded by peaceful grandeur, towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and mirror-like waters. Enjoy the rare tranquillity of this World Heritage landscape with onboard accommodation, freshly prepared meals, and guided nature experiences under a canopy of stars.
As you relax on the deck, keep your eyes peeled to spot some of the fiord's unique wildlife including dolphins, penguins and seals, while admiring the fiord's many spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforests, rugged mountains and more. As day turns to evening, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious carvery lunch in the ship's dining saloon, before relaxing in the company of your fellow travellers or indulge in some stargazing before retiring to your private cabin.
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Location
What you need to know
Note
- All food and beverage purchases aboard the vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, do not accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both guests and staff
- Payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- RealNZ is going cashless on all food and beverage purchases in experience.
- This means that all food and beverage purchases aboard our vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, will no longer accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both our guests and staff.
- Our payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Note: Fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres.
Inclusions
- Spacious viewing decks, dining saloon/fully licensed bar and observation lounge
- Private cabins with ensuite bathrooms (twin, double or single occupancy)
- Four-course evening buffet meal including appetisers, soups, salads, hot dishes, carvery meats and a selection of desserts (vegetarian options available on request)
- Cooked and continental breakfast
- Specialist nature guide on board
- Leisurely, extended full-length cruise of Milford Sound
- Wildlife viewing opportunities including seals, penguins, and dolphins
- English only commentary
- Interpretation hand-out sheets (eight languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Thai).
- Kayaking and exploring by tender craft
Itinerary
- An overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner is the ultimate dinner, bed and breakfast experience
- Depart from the Milford Sound wharf in the late afternoon and cruise the full length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea accompanied by a specialist nature guide. The cruise style is relaxed, allowing plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife
- The Milford Mariner then anchors in a sheltered cove, where you can join the nature guide and explore in the vessel’s tender craft (small boat) and kayaks. Or, if you prefer, you can simply relax on deck
- As evening falls, enjoy a carvery buffet in the dining saloon
Seasons
- Peak season: November - March - prices are dynamic, from price will show for low season.
Time
- Cruises depart at 4.00pm (day 1)
- Returns at 9.15am (day 2)
- Check-in is required 30 minutes prior to departure
Departure Location
- This experience departs from Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Milford 9679.
FAQs
- How long does it take to travel to Milford? If you are travelling from Queenstown it will take around 5hrs to reach Milford. Te Anau to Milford is around 2hrs 20mins. This timing allows for stops along the way for photos or short walks to places of interest. If driving, make sure you fill your vehicle with petrol in Te Anau before travelling to Milford (there are no petrol stations at Milford Sound or en route).
- At Milford where do you park and go to check in? Check in for your cruise at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal. Check in is required 20 minutes prior to departure. Overnight Cruise passengers should park in the coach carpark after 3.30pm, which will not be charged.
- Passengers are advised to allow 45 minutes prior to their cruise check-in time to find a carpark and make their way to the terminal.
- What is the difference between Milford and Doubtful Sounds? Milford Sound at the mountainous north end of Fiordland National Park is the classic fiord - a deep water inlet between steep sided high mountains. Milford Sound is a middle-sized fiord at around 13 kms in length and it is famous for its dramatic scenery, especially Mitre Peak. Doubtful Sound is located in the heart of Fiordland National Park where the mountains are still very impressive but not as high as Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a sea surface area roughly ten times larger than Milford Sound. Its three arms are Hall, Crooked and First Arm.
What To Bring
- Non-slip shoes/ boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm sweater/fleece jacket
- Change of clothes
- Sunscreen/sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Swimwear (optional)
- Camera
- Cash for bar and snacks
- Overnight bag
Additional Information
- Child rates apply for 1 - 14 years
- Infants (0 - 4 years) may travel in twin/double cabins only. Infants (0 - 12 months) carried free of charge if sleeping in a cot, otherwise child rates apply.
- Passengers to provide their own cot, unless by prior arrangement
- Peak season: November - March - prices are dynamic, from price will show for low season.
Terms And Conditions
- Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking
- Bring no more than a carry-on sized bag due to space restrictions in the cabins
- Available between the months of October - May only.
- Pricing is based on a per person rate
- Child rates apply for 1 - 14 years
- Infants (0 - 4 years) may travel in twin/double cabins only. Infants (0 - 12 months) carried free of charge if sleeping in a cot, otherwise child rates apply. Passengers to provide their own cot, unless by prior arrangement
- All food and beverage purchases aboard the vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, do not accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both guests and staff
- Payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Note: fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres
Cancellation Policy
- Change your booking up to 14 days before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 14 days of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
Booking Information
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking, however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- Prices are seasonal and are constantly changing. The from price displayed may not always be the price you are going to pay, as once you click on your specified date, the price will change to reflect the price for that date/season. Please note that in some cases where you cannot click on a date to obtain the price, please call us so we can assist you
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
- Cruise vessel subject to change without notice
Recent reviews
5/5
Based on 1 reviewB
An incredible experience overnight at Milford Sound
This is a wonderful chance to get some quality time in this amazing location. It was truly special to see the changing light on the cliffs and witness wildlife thriving. Dinner and Breakfast included were above average for buffet style. Water activities were fun, regretting not taking a dip in the icy Milford Pool.