VIP Milford Sound Day Tour
VIP Milford Sound Day Tour
5
This location was reported permanently closed
Full view
About
VIP Milford is the ultimate way to visit Milford Sound. Sit back and relax in our luxury coach while your local driver takes you to explore the beautiful sights.
Similar Experiences
VIP Milford Sound Day Tour
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsContribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
200 reviews
Excellent
186
Very good
9
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
2
martinoconnor
Nowra, Australia44 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Justin was very thoughtful and knowledgeable. Picked up and dropped off to the door in Te Anau, Just in gave relevant and intermittent commentary. We stopped for a few walks and a comfort break along the hours trip to milford sound. Justin was very thoughtful informing us of which gates/ cruises we were to head to and what to do to take best advantage of the experience. He collected us at the exit , stopped off for few more sightseeing opportunities on the way back, and also supplied umbrellas . Thanks mate
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Martin
Thank you for your wonderful review. Our drivers are very good at anticipating everyone's needs and making sure that your day goes as smoothly as possible. There are some fabulous places to stop and see on the road to and from Milford Sound which are as stunning as the Sound itself.
Kind regards
VIP Milford Team :)
Written 9 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Janine D
Nelson, New Zealand22 contributions
Nov 2021
This tour company is outstanding. The coach, the stops along the way, the boat trip with Mitre Peak cruises were all perfect. We have travelled a lot and there are some experiences that you will never forget. Even though we are New Zealanders we were blown away. A huge thanks to Reece the driver, so safe and knowledgeable with a great personality. We could not have asked for more,
Written 4 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele P
Takapuna, New Zealand8 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
Fabulous day for our trip, it may have rained but that just made it better. Driver, Stephen, very knowledgeable and keen to discuss wildlife and fauna.
Great packed lunch, more than I could eat.
Cruise everything I thought it would be 😃
Great packed lunch, more than I could eat.
Cruise everything I thought it would be 😃
Written 7 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi michele
You are right, Milford Sound is amazing in the rain and we are thrilled to know you have had such a great experience. We appreciate your feedback, thank you!
Kind regards
VIP Milford Team :)
Written 8 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ApplePieGal
Sydney, Australia8 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I had spent weeks researching for a perfect Milford sound day trip as we had 1 chance to do it and was super happy when I found VIP Milford as it was exactly what I wanted. Booked and paid.
The night before the trip - on the 11th hour, at 7pm I received a call from VIP saying they were cancelling our trip because we were the only 2 people booked on that day and I had 2 options - a refund or a transfer to another bus coming from Queenstown. We were left with no choice but to go with the huge bus, a stampede full of tourists - which was exactly what I was trying to avoid!!!! VIP - this is why I chose to go with YOU rather than the overloaded bus. Anyway - the lady told me the reason for the cancellation was NOT that it wasn't profitable, but because 2 people feel awkward on the excursion??????? Are you serious? This is what I was actually hoping for. At least tell the truth!! We were told that Trips & Trams (another smaller company) had a booking for 2 people and went ahead with it - because YOU HAVE TO HONOUR YOUR TOUR. The Queenstown bus was 2 hours late due to a delay on the road, and we didn't get to stop anywhere. What a dissapointment! Even with the refund from VIP - which was the least they could do - I did have to ask for it. Moral of the story - go with Trips & Tramps - apparently it's highly regarded with the Te Anau locals.
The night before the trip - on the 11th hour, at 7pm I received a call from VIP saying they were cancelling our trip because we were the only 2 people booked on that day and I had 2 options - a refund or a transfer to another bus coming from Queenstown. We were left with no choice but to go with the huge bus, a stampede full of tourists - which was exactly what I was trying to avoid!!!! VIP - this is why I chose to go with YOU rather than the overloaded bus. Anyway - the lady told me the reason for the cancellation was NOT that it wasn't profitable, but because 2 people feel awkward on the excursion??????? Are you serious? This is what I was actually hoping for. At least tell the truth!! We were told that Trips & Trams (another smaller company) had a booking for 2 people and went ahead with it - because YOU HAVE TO HONOUR YOUR TOUR. The Queenstown bus was 2 hours late due to a delay on the road, and we didn't get to stop anywhere. What a dissapointment! Even with the refund from VIP - which was the least they could do - I did have to ask for it. Moral of the story - go with Trips & Tramps - apparently it's highly regarded with the Te Anau locals.
Written 3 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George M
Adelaide, Australia25 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
We would highly recommend using VIP Milford. We were picked up promptly at 7:45 from our motel and our driver Justin was friendly, knowledgeable and very happy to answer any of our questions. He provided an excellent commentary all the way to Milford, stopping off for photos and pointing out things of interest. We would highly rec commend getting Justin. Our vehicle was new, spacious and accommodated the 12 of us easily. The seats were very comfortable and the windows provided plenty of viewing area. Our boat trip with Real Experiences included a buffet lunch which was very good and Justin was waiting for us on our return. Again he stopped off on the way back to show us other areas of interest for great photos.
Thank-you VIP and Justin for a great day.
Thank-you VIP and Justin for a great day.
Written 2 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wasp07
Wellington, New Zealand33 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
We had an amazing day with Reece as our tour guide/driver. Very knowledgeable and helpful, making it a great day to Milford. We were very lucky to spot Orca’s while cruising Milford. Te Anau is stunning, well worth spending several days to enjoy the great hospitality.
Written 6 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi wasp07
Thank you so much for leaving your wonderful review. How exciting to have seen Orca's! We are thrilled to have been able to share our back yard with you.
Kind regards
VIP Milford Team :)
Written 24 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lizayres
Nottinghamshire, UK23 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Spectacular family day out visiting Milford Sound from Te Anau. David our driver was the perfect host with interesting commentary and many stop offs enroute. Nature cruise on Mitre Peak was the perfect way to see the Milford Sound. Our family highlights including seeing two seals, standing at the from of boat while going under a waterfall and filling our water bottle from fresh spring stream at Monkey Creek on the way back to Te Anau. Highly recommended this day out, thank you.
Written 7 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lizayres
Thank you for your fabulous feedback and recommendation! We are thrilled to have been able to share our amazing back yard with you. The waterfalls are stunning and it is fun to stand at the front of the boats while going under them. The seals are fascinating to check out as well :)
Kind regards
VIP Milford Team :)
Written 8 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
duffi
Somerset185 contributions
Mar 2020
We were going to drive to Milford Sound but unfortunately the road situation allowed only buses through in convoy. I chose VIP Milford after much research because they were local to Te Anau and only use a small 18 seater coach which meant less people!
We had such an amazing day, we were picked up outside our motel at 7.45ish and were welcomed by our guide and driver for the day Stephen. The minibus itself was fab, and the seats were really comfy. It was almost full when we got on so we had the single seats which were absolutely the best choice. It was about a 2 hour drive down to Milford Sound and we had a few stops along the way to admire the view and use the bathroom. We had great commentary from Stephen the whole way in and out and we learned a lot about the area. The drive into Milford is simply stunning - we'd had torrential rain the night before so there were waterfalls everywhere! It was amazing to see the damage that the floods and landslides had done to the road a few weeks earlier, and they were still under repair hence the convoys.
We got straight on to our boat when we arrived, we were on the Real Journeys nature cruise on the Sinbad - a smalller boat that stays out longer on the sound and sees a little bit more, with great commentary about the wildlife and flora and fauna. Being smaller it's also able to get closer to the waterfalls and even underneath one of them! The cruise was fab despite the misty murky conditions, although thankfully the sun did start to make an appearance so were able to see more as the mist cleared away. We paid extra for a picnic lunch which was very nice, and there was free tea and coffee available throughout the cruise (the coffee was rather good) We got back to our minibus at about 1.15 ready for the long drive back to Te Anau. The scenery was just as stunning on the way out and we had a couple more stops once we'd got past the convoy point. I was disappointed not to see any Kea, but the area that they used to hang out is in the convoy zone and is cordoned off so no stopping sadly.
All in all we had a truly wonderful day, it was a long drive so I'm quite pleased that we were forced to go with a tour company and I would definitely choose VIP Milford again - they were amazing and worth every penny! A huge thank you to Stephen and everyone at VIP Milford.
We had such an amazing day, we were picked up outside our motel at 7.45ish and were welcomed by our guide and driver for the day Stephen. The minibus itself was fab, and the seats were really comfy. It was almost full when we got on so we had the single seats which were absolutely the best choice. It was about a 2 hour drive down to Milford Sound and we had a few stops along the way to admire the view and use the bathroom. We had great commentary from Stephen the whole way in and out and we learned a lot about the area. The drive into Milford is simply stunning - we'd had torrential rain the night before so there were waterfalls everywhere! It was amazing to see the damage that the floods and landslides had done to the road a few weeks earlier, and they were still under repair hence the convoys.
We got straight on to our boat when we arrived, we were on the Real Journeys nature cruise on the Sinbad - a smalller boat that stays out longer on the sound and sees a little bit more, with great commentary about the wildlife and flora and fauna. Being smaller it's also able to get closer to the waterfalls and even underneath one of them! The cruise was fab despite the misty murky conditions, although thankfully the sun did start to make an appearance so were able to see more as the mist cleared away. We paid extra for a picnic lunch which was very nice, and there was free tea and coffee available throughout the cruise (the coffee was rather good) We got back to our minibus at about 1.15 ready for the long drive back to Te Anau. The scenery was just as stunning on the way out and we had a couple more stops once we'd got past the convoy point. I was disappointed not to see any Kea, but the area that they used to hang out is in the convoy zone and is cordoned off so no stopping sadly.
All in all we had a truly wonderful day, it was a long drive so I'm quite pleased that we were forced to go with a tour company and I would definitely choose VIP Milford again - they were amazing and worth every penny! A huge thank you to Stephen and everyone at VIP Milford.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Duffi for your fabulous review. We also appreciate your understanding on the road and convoy situation which the roading guys are doing there absolute best to rectify. It was unfortunate that you did not get to see any Kea as they are such a cool bird but I hope that the fabulous scenery, especially with the waterfalls in full force, was enough to stimulate the senses. Thank you for choosing to travel with us.
Kind regards
Wanda
Written 20 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
msteni
Hamburg28 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
This is the best and relaxed your you can take from Te Anau to Milford sounds. You leave early enough to be there bevor the big rush is coming . I really liked the boat ,big plenty of place for all to take pictures...It is really worth the money ...
Written 30 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas C
17 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
We visited Milford Sound in December and my friend had booked this trip in advance for us, a group of 3 guys.
We were picked up at 08:00am from the Top 10 holiday park and we were straight into the VIP bus which was so comfortable and spacious.
The bus driver, Justin, was great in the way he described the local areas and allowed us to get out and see many different locations.
10/10 would recommend and will be booking again for this year!
We were picked up at 08:00am from the Top 10 holiday park and we were straight into the VIP bus which was so comfortable and spacious.
The bus driver, Justin, was great in the way he described the local areas and allowed us to get out and see many different locations.
10/10 would recommend and will be booking again for this year!
Written 23 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be in Te Anau sometime in June, traveling by Motorhome so our exacts dates are unsure. We are a family of four and would want k book a tour into Milford sound. Will there be any chance if booking mat minute? Like a day or two in advance ? June 10-15?
Written 22 May 2018
Also, we booked with VIP Milford Sound Tour just the day prior to our tour and we were able to get on. It was in March, so it was maybe even higher tourist season. Their website also includes a booking calendar so you can see if and when days are being booked up.
Written 22 May 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.