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Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown with Cruise

Offered by Luxe Tours

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$369.00 per person

4.9 (112 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

12 hours 30 minutes (approx.)Pickup Available Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English, English

Small group tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound via Te Anau, Mirror Lakes and Homer Tunnel, with a nature cruise and regular scenic stops.

Tour Overview

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small group vehicle designed for comfort, with bucket leather seats, extra leg room, air conditioning, USB charging, and space for a small bag. Along the Milford Road, local expert commentary adds context to the journey while regular stops break up the drive.

In Te Anau, there is an extended 30 minute stop at a lakefront cafe, with time for a coffee or snack, bathroom break, and a look around the lakefront and mountain views. Further on, Eglinton Valley opens out into long tan fields framed by green, native bush covered mountains, with time to get out and explore. At Mirror Lakes, a short walk on formed tracks and boardwalks leads to still water backed by the Earl Mountains.

The route also includes Knobs Flat Camp for a bathroom stop, Hollyford Lookout above the Hollyford Valley, Monkey Creek with its glacier fed stream and possible kea sightings, and a stop outside the Homer Tunnel overlooking the Cleddau Valley.

At Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you spend around 2.5 hours in the area, mostly aboard a nature cruise on the Milford Haven. Reserved seating and tables are included, and the boat has a restaurant and bar. As you travel the fjord, expect waterfalls, wildlife encounters, and changing mountain views before returning via Te Anau to Queenstown.

What's Included

  • Unlimited chilled & purified water in plant-based reusable drink bottles that guests can keep.
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Cruise ticket
  • A morning sweet/savoury snack provided.

Not Included:

  • Lunch can be ordered on the cruise boat at 1pm, paid with cash or card. Meals range from $15 - $40

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Te Anau

    We stop in the beautiful township of Te Anau for an extended break of 30-mins. We stop at a lakefront cafe so you can get a coffee/snack, use the bathroom and explore the stunning lakefront with mountain views.

    30 minutes

  2. 2

    Eglinton Valley

    Eglinton Valley offers a stunning contrast of green, native bush covered mountains, against the foreground of tan fields. Guests will have a chance to explore the long lush fields. Beautiful at any time of the year.

    5 minutes

  3. 3

    Mirror Lakes Walk

    This short 2-minute nature walk on well formed tracks and boardwalks will have you at the tranquil Mirror Lakes, the backdrop of the Earl Mountains behind them. This is a challenge for any travelling photographer to capture the essence of the lakes - their mirror reflection.

    15 minutes

    Admission: Included

  4. 4

    Eglinton Valley

    We stop further in the Eglinton Valley at Knobs Flat Camp to use the bathrooms. This stop is approximately 60mins from Te Anau, our previous bathroom break.

    5 minutes

    Admission: Included

  5. 5

    Hollyford Track

    We stop at the Hollyford Lookout, sitting high above the Hollyford Valley. Here you will get an appreciation for the glaciers that carved out these valleys. A photo opportunity and a chance to stretch the legs.

    5 minutes

  6. 6

    Monkey Creek

    Monkey Creek is a beautiful glacier fed waterfall/stream and is a common area to meet the Kea, a mountain parrot only found in the South Island of New Zealand. This is an opportunity to take a close up photo of these cheeky birds.

    10 minutes

  7. 7

    Homer Tunnel

    We stop just outside the Homer Tunnel on the western side, overlooking the magnificent Cleddau Valley. Surrounded by step vertical mountain faces, you will look down the valley to our route into Milford Sound. One of the highlights of the day.

    5 minutes

  8. 8

    Milford Sound

    Our destination for the tour is the beautiful Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We spend 2.5 hours in Milford Sound, mostly aboard your nature cruise where you will experience the entire fjord, wildlife encounters, waterfalls and all the scenic beauty there is to see.

    3 hours 30 minutes

  9. 9

    Te Anau

    We return to Queenstown, via the township of Te Anau (the only route back) and stop so you can pick up some dinner food and use the bathroom.

    15 minutes

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup available

If requesting pickup, please select your preferred location when booking through Viator.

Pickup details

Please be at your pick up point 10mins prior to pick up. In some cases, you may need to take an Uber/Taxi to get from your accommodation to your chosen pick up point as they have very limited or no car-parking.

Or Meet At Meeting point

Family Adventures

4 Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

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This meeting point is the Station Information Centre. Please be waiting here by 6:55am.

End Point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

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