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Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Offered by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience

From

$379.00 per person

4.9 (2529 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

13 hours (approx.)Pickup Available Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

Full-day Queenstown to Milford Sound tour with Fiordland stops, a 1 hr 45 min nature cruise, picnic lunch, and pickup near accommodation.

Tour Overview

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a premium Mercedes van with a maximum of 15 seats, with pickup at or near your accommodation and return to the same location or central Queenstown. This full-day tour runs for approximately 12 to 13 hours and combines guided road travel through Fiordland National Park with a 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise on Milford Sound.

The journey begins through Southland farming country and continues to Te Anau, where there is a brief lakeside stop for refreshments beside Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island. From there, the Milford Road reveals a changing landscape of mountains, rivers, and native wildlife, including the Kea. Your guide makes multiple stops for short walks, local commentary, and time to take in the surroundings.

Highlights on the drive include Eglinton Valley, a short nature walk at Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel, the 1.2 km passage through the Darran Mountain range on State Highway 94.

At Milford Sound, board a small boat cruise with an onboard nature guide and travel close to the fiord’s edges beneath steep peaks and past waterfalls. Wildlife sightings may include dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and native birdlife. A picnic lunch is included, and onboard van features include leather seats, panoramic windows, Wi-Fi, and Spotify.

What's Included

  • Packed picnic lunch is included
  • WiFi on board
  • Convenient pick up and drop off locations around Queenstown
  • Tea & coffee available on the nature cruise
  • Knowledgable and friendly local driver/guides
  • 1hr 45min nature cruise on Milford Sound
  • Off-the-beaten track scenic photo stops en route

Not Included:

  • To reduce single-use plastic, we do not provide water bottles. We recommend anyone travelling NZ to have their own reusable water bottle. There are several locations to refill during the day.

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Lake Whakatipu

    Start your day by meeting our friendly local guide at or near your Queenstown accommodation. You'll travel in style in a premium Mercedes van designed for touring with only 15 seats onboard. The first leg of our journey to Milford Sound transports you from Queenstown through the picturesque Southland farming country and the charming town of Te Anau, where we'll make a brief stop by the lakeside for refreshments.

    Pass by without stopping

  2. 2

    Lake Te Anau

    Lake Te Anau is in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. The lake covers an area of 344 km², making it the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand and the largest in the South Island. It is the largest lake in Australasia by fresh water volume.
  3. 3

    Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

    From here, we welcome you to the Fiordland National Park and the renowned Milford Road. This corridor to the fiord unveils a different side of New Zealand, with its majestic mountains, winding rivers, and the cheeky Kea bird. Throughout the journey, your guide will make multiple stops for photo opportunities, short walks, and will entertain you with fascinating local facts and stories.

    3 hours

  4. 4

    Eglinton Valley

    See the picturesque Eglinton Valley

    5 minutes

  5. 5

    Mirror Lakes Walk

    Enjoy a beautiful short nature walk and view the famous Mirror Lakes.

    10 minutes

  6. 6

    Homer Tunnel

    The Homer Tunnel is a 1.2 km long road tunnel in the Fiordland region of the South Island of New Zealand, opened in 1953. New Zealand State Highway 94 passes through the tunnel, linking Milford Sound to Te Anau and Queenstown, by piercing the Darran Mountain range at the Homer Saddle.

    Pass by without stopping

  7. 7

    Milford Sound

    Upon reaching Milford Sound, embark on a 1hr 45min nature cruise that takes you beneath the towering peaks of the fiord. This small boat cruise, accompanied by a knowledgeable onboard nature guide, allows you to explore the edges of the fiord, revealing its impressive waterfalls and unique wildlife, which may include dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and native birdlife.

    2 hours

  8. 8

    Te Anau

    After your cruise, rejoin the van to commence the return journey to Queenstown. Sit back, relax, and take in the views. This day tour spans approximately 12-13 hours, and our smaller vehicles and attentive guide ensure your comfort and entertainment throughout the journey.

    5 minutes

  9. 9

    Queenstown

    On arrival back into Queenstown, your guide will return you back to the same location they picked you up from, or you can choose to be dropped in Queenstown.

    5 minutes

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup available

Please select your preferred pickup location when booking through Viator.

Pickup details

Please note that your selected pickup location may not be exact; we will pick up either at or near your requested location. After you book, our team will contact you to provide your exact pickup location details. If you are unsure of the best pickup point, please inform the activity provider of your accommodation, and we will advise the most suitable pickup location. The departure time applies to the central Queenstown pick-up, however, times can vary, depending on your location.

Important Information

• After booking, you will receive a message from one of our team confirming your exact departure location and time, and asking you any questions relevant to your booking. Please keep an eye out for this and please do not hesitate to ask us any questions prior to the day. • Complimentary pickup is not offered to Airbnb locations or private addresses unless agreed with us. We also only pick up from select accommodations in Queenstown. • Please be aware that departure times vary depending on the departure location. Departure locations must be reconfirmed at least 24 hours prior to departure by phone or email. +64 3 441 4788 or info@altitudetours.co.nz. • Please be at your departure location 10 minutes prior. Our guide will wait up to 5 minutes after your departure time. Any late arrivals who miss the tour will be fully charged. • We would recommend you bring extra snacks or come prepared to buy food/drink during our stops in Te Anau. • If you added on a packed picnic lunch, this will include a chicken sandwich. You can request a vegetarian sandwich up until 5pm the day prior to departure. • In an effort to reduce single-use plastic, we no longer provide water bottles, and recommend all travellers bring a reusable bottle with them. There is an option to purchase a reusable bottle onboard, if you come unprepared. • Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes, and rain jacket.

Additional Info

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes and rain jacket.
  • Please be aware that Milford Sound is a 5 hour drive from Queenstown (one-way with sightseeing stops). This is a full day excursion, and including the 1hr 45min cruise on the fiord, allow approximately 13 hours door to door.
  • A packed picnic lunch is included in your experience. The default choice is a chicken, however you can request a vegetarian lunch until 5pm the day prior.
  • Please bring a reusable water bottle on tour with us. There are multiple locations to refill during the day.
  • The cruise operator requires all passengers need to be able to board and disembark the vessel without assistance in case of an emergency.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.