Aka BBQ bus trip to Milford Sound where we decided to forgo the 4 hour drive back in favour of the flight in a propeller plane! Read on to find out more…
BBQ bus trip
We booked this as the BBQ bus trip came highly recommended on trip advisor. They picked us up near our Air bnb on the Frankton Road and off we went with Marty our driver and guide (and it turns out the owner too!).
The Devil’s staircase
The Drive
The drive took us up (? I think this was the right direction!) the Devil’s staircase – the famous road that leads around the side of lake Wakatipu towards the Fiordland area. It was named this due to the dangerous twists and turns that claimed many a life since it was used. Even today Marty was quick to point out that driving in New Zealand needs a lot of consideration and care.
Next stop was the plains of Fiordland National Park. Apparently if you come here at the right time of year you can walk amongst thigh high lupins – very pretty! But as we were there in Autumn I had to make do with epic jump shots!
Jump!!
We also had a brief stop at the Mirror Lakes. These are so called as they provide a perfect reflection of the mountains behind – in the right conditions… Unfortunately for us it was too windy to get the best reflections 🙁 Here are my best pics:
You can kind of see the reflection of the flax through the trees….
Damn wind stopped the perfect reflection!
BBQ!
We stopped at a camp site for our BBQ lunch. Marty had knocked up chicken and marinated lamb kebabs, salad and drinks (soft!) and we ate in the spectacular scenery.
BBQ and our bus 😋
Marty was super eager to show us his ‘office’ aka Fiordlands national park and we had already lost mobile signal – so he must be the only person without a phone in his office!!
This view is what Marty has from his ‘office balcony’….
Before we drove through Homer tunnel that connects Milford Sound to the outside world, we stopped to appreciate the landscape carved by the glaciers:
Yellow car for colour and scale – this U shaped valley is huge!! Just imagine being under all that ice…
And when through the tunnel – it’s pretty similar on the other side:
I can’t imagine doing this trip with those winding roads and risk of rock falls in the winter 😱
What we came for! The famous view of Mitre peak from the dock at Milford Sound.
Milford Sound cruise
When you get to Milford Sound the BBQ bus includes the cruise up Milford Sound. You board a smaller boat (there are some very large cruise boats that do the coach trips, as we were on a small bus we fit on a smaller boat with a load more people!)
The captain tells you about the Sound (actually misnamed – it’s a fiord as it was formed by glaciers) as you sail towards the sea.
The main focus of the cruise is the waterfalls scattered around. We were lucky with the weather as it wasn’t raining – but usually people get to see way more waterfalls as only two of them are permanent. The rest of the waterfalls are temporary from the rain coming off the rocks.
The scenery was very majestic – especially as it rises right up above the boat!
🎶Don’t go chasing waterfalls… whoops we did 😂
This waterfall was so pretty with the rainbow – but it got its own back when I got dunked underneath it!
Another waterfall!
And dunk! This is what happened to me getting the rainbow shot!!
View from the stern of the boat
We watched these seals sleeping and also fighting with each other. I bet that snooze in the sun was great
Just gorgeous – the famous Mitre peak, so called as it reminded people of a Bishops Mitre
Flying out
As we had missed out glacier flight on the West Coast drive (bad weather meant no flights), I was very open to the suggestion of flying out! When we learnt it was less money than the glacier flight and would reduce our travel time back to Queenstown by c3 hours we were all over it! (Ok it’s still expensive at NZD 395, but we were very lucky with the weather and it was a once in a lifetime experience).
Our little propeller plane out!
Plane selfie
Glorious Milford Sound at sunset
View of The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu
The plane was totally worth it for the views out of the window. We flew over the mountains, glaciers and lakes. Spectacular!
Up close and personal with the mountains – without having to hike them!
Let me know if you have visited or are planning to visit Milford Sound in the comments below…
Xinen Chua says
NZ is so beautiful! How much did you pay for the entire experience? Would love to do this one day but am a backpacker on a budget! eek!
Katie Hughes says
Hi Xinen – the day on the BBQ bus – which includes the bus drive there and back, BBQ lunch and the boat cruise is NZD$210. The whole package with the flight back is NZD$600 – which I know is a lot more money! If you have the time you can even do it cheaper with other companies, but it’s 8 hours of driving in the day (4 there and 4 back)
Tara says
Amazing photos! I loved Milford Sound and can only imagine how epic the flight out must have been!!!!
Katie Hughes says
It was so good Tara! I actually have a video of flying out over the Sound on my Facebook page too.
Emily Hines says
A BBQ Bus is my kinda transportation.
Katie Hughes says
Haha might be better with beers 😝
Esther says
The photos just kept getting better and better! I kept thinking “wow, these mountains are so majestic!”, and then you hit me with the waterfall and close-up…and then the aerial views! What an awesome adventure!
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Esther – all of New Zealand is absolutely stunning!
Venessa says
We absolutely loved visiting Milford! New Zealand is incredible.
Katie Hughes says
Isn’t it just! Thanks Venessa
Glenny says
Wow the trip looks like fun!! the photos you’ve taken, NZ looks gorgeous! I can’t wait to visit one day 🙂 That drive tho, tbh ill probably be scared driving that curvy road! lol
Katie Hughes says
Yes I wouldn’t want to be a big coach Glenny!
Emily says
Oh my word, the views are just breath taking! I couldn’t think of a better thing to do than have a BBQ and explore here!
Katie Hughes says
My friend is going to go back and do the Milford Track hike in the future – so beautiful, thanks for your comment Emily!
val hansen says
What a beautiful day and I love that waterfall and the blue green water..such a fantastic post!!
Valerie
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Val!
Bonita says
Incredible photos. They have left me thinking of how beautiful the mountains are and spurred the itchy feet! New Zealand is incredible.
Katie Hughes says
It definitely is! Thanks Bonita
Meghan says
This looks like a gorgeous place to visit even in fall! I would think it’s probably wonderful year round. Sounds like a good idea to fly out too – always great to save time!
Telma | Blank Canvas Voyage says
Katie,
You are a lucky girl for having had the opportunity to experience Milford Sounds to its fullest! When we did our road trip it was raining and to be honest it was awful hahaha
We had great time weather throughout the 2 weeks but the day we decided to go to Milford Sounds was horrible. And the flight above looks gorgeous!
Telma @ Blank Canvas Voyage
Katie Hughes says
They told us that rain is the norm and is great as you get to see all the waterfalls… so sounds like we were very lucky!
Louise says
What lovely photos. I love the fact you flew out too, that must have been incredible! You had better weather than when I went – it was very misty and rained a lot so my photos aren’t the best! Glad you had a fabulous time 🙂
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Louise – we definitely lucked out with the weather!
Annette Richmond says
This post combines two of my favorite things, food, and travel!! Milford Sound looks like an incredible place to visit! I can’t wait to go to NZ, definitely adding this to my to-do list!
Katie Hughes says
Excellent – glad to inspire you Annette!
Mona Corona says
I’ve never heard of a BBQ bus trip! It’s so neat that you got to travel by land, sea, and plane. The photos you took are so gorgeous!! I love those waterfalls. Thank you for sharing!
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Mona! It was really beautiful and there’s nothing like a bbq for lunch lol!
Anya says
These photos are absolutely stunning! How AMAZING is that plane ride!!! I’d love to head over to Milford Sound, I’ve been hearing so much about it. I think a trip to New Zealand is definitely needed!
Katie Hughes says
It’s well worth a trip Anya – New Zealand is amazing!
Caitlin says
Your photographs are absolutely stunning. I’m so keen to visit NZ, the flight is soooo far but by what I’ve seen so worth it. Definitely adding this to my bucket list!
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Caitlin – yes it’s far, so that’s why I went for three weeks to see as much as possible!
Ashley says
OMG, Milford Sound has been on my bucket list since middle school! Your pictures look fantastic!! Looks like you had a wonderful time!
Katie Hughes says
We really enjoyed it Ashley!
Ruth says
What a spectacular place and what a great name for the tour. You are so funny on pointing out you were served soft drinks during lunch! I am all about being outdoors so, I would love to visit New Zealand. The country has way too many beautiful places. One picture of the tunnel looks very similar to the tunnel view of the Yosemite Valley. I am amazed at how similar they are.
Katie Hughes says
The whole country is beautiful Ruth, is love to go back and visit Yosemite again too!
Hiral says
I loved the pictures and reading about your experiences. This is what exactly I would do. Thank you for the information. Your post answered some of questions about the place that I had. 😊❤️
Katie Hughes says
Happy that you found it useful Hiral!
Maike says
Wow, the landscape looks amazing. Especially the waterfalls. i love waterfalls 🙂 Great pictures!
Katie Hughes says
I love them too Maike! Apparently they are even more impressive when its raining, as the water streams off the rocks, however I loved seeing the rainbows in the sun 🙂
Lyne says
I can’t get over how beautiful is NZ. A BBQ and such beautiful landscape are the best things ahah. The view from the propeller is awesome too, although I’m not sure I’d be comfortable flying in such a small plane ahah.
Katie Hughes says
Given the windy roads in NZ the plane is more comfortable than the bus Lyne! 😂
Jasmine says
This sounds like my kind of tour! Those views were stunning; i’d assume even moreso in person and with a BBQ lunch included?! I’ll have to remember this one.
Katie Hughes says
The BBQ is definitely the USP for this particular tour Jasmine!
Rosemary says
Wow, such stunning scenery. Love the natural beauty you’ve captured so well. And, a BBQ lunch…the perfect day! I’d love to visit NZ someday and explore it via plane. Fun post to read!
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Rosemary – I hope you get to see this in real life!