Pure Milford Queenstown — Local services in South Island

Firstly, our bus driver forgot us at the stop. We thought we had missed their morning bus which btw had unclear reaching times, hence, we drove ourselves. Upon noticing the bus and driver at the site we realised we never actually missed it he just forgot us. Secondly, the staff starts operating at 9am but the driver pick up is at 7:30, so basically even though we decided to drive ourselves since we had a rental there was no way to contact the company until one and a half hour after pick up, this is not ideal especially if a mishap like this does take place. The assistance provided after they finally got back to us was laughable at best. They just told us that if we made it to Milford that would be great (well thanks for nothing after taking all our money). We still did not complain and after reaching the site on time we felt that there’s no point talking about this during check in and delay all the other guests, however, the staff members acted like it’s perfectly normal to forget someone, make them drive four hours in a rental and just pretend like it’s all good from their end. The lack of consideration shown by all of them was really sad especially since Milford sound was something we had been looking forward to since our first day in Queenstown. Finally the cruise itself started 15 minutes late, the boat left after all boats had already gone and we didn’t even go as far as the others. They did not really give any refreshments or just missed us I guess, it’s really a hit or miss at this point. The cruise was okay, tbh Milford sound is such a breathtaking place that it really doesn’t matter how sad your boat actually is, however, please choose the other tours and make your experience actually worth it. All of the others were more careful with their passengers, thoughtful and welcoming. This boat just had watered down coffee, a small sky deck (which is actually the best view for any tour) having no chairs or anywhere to sit really and the microphone was not loud enough to hear anything. There are a lot more issues that I noticed but honestly after such a tiring day don’t have it in me to write it all down. Due to the bad microphone, I did not really get to indulge in the history or the story of the place because I honestly did not hear anything and I shifted places a lot on the boat, it was unclear everywhere. By the way, on the boat many passengers realised the only way you can actually buy snacks that tbh should have been free (since they had already taken 200 dollars) was by paying in NZ cash. A lot of people did not have cash and also could not avail that either. All in all, my regret is that all the other boats and coaches along with their respected staff looked better, more organised and friendlier. We should have chosen them and atleast along with breathtaking views have a more...

Let me just start with - the driver was really good had a lot of information and good sense of humour and very punctual . Bus was a bit tight fitting in the seats but comfortable and clean . *A really strong suggestion though considering the entire day is 12-13 hours Long .. please do NOT allow children under the age of 5 on this tour . * We had two children under the age of 3 screaming and crying all the way there and part of the way back . We could not hear much of what the driver was saying and it was really not an enjoyable trip as a result of this . Ruined it for us to be honest . Scenery is of course stunning and glad we saw it . The cruise was nice and clean and the driver of the vessel also had a lot of knowledge and great sense of humour . (Children and parents thankfully were on a different deck to us so it was a lot more peaceful ) Food provided in the package was a chicken and mushroom pie or vegetable pie which I was looking forward to thinking it would come with veges - etc . What our lunch package was :- pie in plastic wrap with holes for microwave, apple , museli bar , small packet of chips and two biscuits . Complimentary coffee , Tea and Hot chocolate . There was a canteen with other food and beverages . Prices at the canteen was reasonable. Staff were all lovely and helpful .

Very long day from Queenstown- better if you were staying at Te Anau would cut out 4 hours from the trip if you’re thinking of...

An Unforgettable Bus Trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound

My journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound was an adventure I will never forget. The route, which winds through breathtaking landscapes of mountains, forests and valleys, was an experience in itself. Along the way I was accompanied by a great guide from Pure Milford, Nathan, who shared so much knowledge and passion for the region. His stories gave the trip a deeper meaning, from the geological wonders to the rich history of the area.

Upon arriving in Milford Sound, I boarded the catamaran for a spectacular tour of the fjords. It was incredible to experience the landscape up close—the imposing mountains, waterfalls that plunged down, and the serene waters. The guide aboard the catamaran added even more value to the experience by providing additional insights into the sea life and geography of the fjords.

This trip was easy to arrange via the Get Your Guide platform, and I’m so glad I chose this tour. The combination of the bus trip with Nathan’s expert guidance and the impressive cruise through Milford Sound made this an unforgettable experience. It was not just a sightseeing trip, but a trip that deepened and enriched my understanding of this...