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Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Offered by Cheeky Kiwi Travel

From

$349.00 per person

4.9 (3250 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

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

Small group day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a boutique cruise, picnic lunch and guided return through Fiordland National Park.

Tour Overview

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a premium small group day tour that combines a boutique cruise, picnic lunch, and a fully guided return journey through Fiordland National Park.

Leaving Queenstown, the road follows Lake Wakatipu with views of The Remarkables, then climbs through Devil’s Staircase before reaching Te Anau, beside Lake Te Anau. At Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, your guide shares local stories before the route continues into Fiordland National Park.

Further north, stops include Eglinton Valley, shaped by an ancient glacier, and Mirror Lakes, known for reflections of the Earl Mountains. You may also pause at Lake Gunn and along the Hollyford River, where large boulders, rapids, and Falls Creek add to the changing landscape. As the road rises into the Darran Mountains, keep watch for kea, the world’s largest alpine parrot.

The journey then passes through the hand built Homer Tunnel before descending toward Milford Sound, where rain can bring hundreds of waterfalls down the valley walls. From the water with Cruise Milford, take in close views of Mitre Peak rising above the fiord. On the return, there are more guided stops, including a lookout near the divide in the Southern Alps, close to the start of the Routeburn Track.

What's Included

  • Water available & snacks provided
  • Picnic Lunch - please note dietary requirement at time of booking
  • Cruise Entry
  • Small Group & Fully Guided Tour
  • Hotel pickup & drop-off (listed locations only)

Not Included:

  • Picnic lunch for infants (0 - 3)
  • Child safety car seat available for NZ$20 (notify 24 hours prior to tour)
  • Optional extras and activities - please select the tour option you want at time of booking

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Queenstown

    Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.

    Pass by without stopping

  2. 2

    Lake Wakatipu

    Departing Queenstown we wind our way around Lake Wakatipu, with amazing views of ‘The Remarkables’ Mountain Range and the lake.

    Pass by without stopping

  3. 3

    Devil's Staircase Lookout Point

    Continuing around the lake we will pass through Devil’s Staircase. This elevated windy part of the road is famous for dramatic photos and setting the scene for the day to come.

    Pass by without stopping

  4. 4

    Lake Te Anau

    After more amazing mountain, river and farmland views we arrive in Te Anau, home to Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second largest lake. While in this idyllic town we will stop for a break and maybe meet some of the local animals or wildlife. Continuing along the lake we stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, to hear the stories and admire the views.

    20 minutes

  5. 5

    Eglinton Valley

    Leaving Te Anau and entering Fiordland National Park we stop in Eglinton Valley. With views worthy of Lord of the Rings, this valley follows the path of an ancient glacier through Fiordland. One of the first major attractions as you enter the park, it really sets the scene for a journey that only get more impressive the deeper you get.

    10 minutes

    Admission: Included

  6. 6

    Mirror Lakes Walk

    Our next stop on this epic adventure is Mirror Lakes for a short stroll to see the famous reflections of the Earl Mountains. Get the right day, take a good picture and no one with be able to tell which way is the right way up for the photo.

    10 minutes

    Admission: Included

  7. 7

    Lake Gunn

    Continuing along the Milford Road we come across Lake Gunn. Named after a famous explorer and popular for fishing, often we will stop at Lake Gunn for some photos and to enjoy the peace.

    5 minutes

  8. 8

    Hollyford River

    A short drive away we start passing the Hollyford River a gorgeous and powerful river full of large boulders and rapids. Feeding into the river at Falls Creek is the first of our extremely impressive waterfalls of the area, one of many to come.

    Pass by without stopping

  9. 9

    Darran Mountains

    Climbing in altitude we go deeper into the Darran Mountains and these views require another stop to admire and take photos. We are also entering the area where Kea (the world’s largest alpine parrot) like to live. Start keeping an eye out for these large, cheeky and colourful birds that never fail to thrill and entertain when found.

    10 minutes

  10. 10

    Homer Tunnel

    To make our way back down towards the sea we enter the mind-blowing hand-built Homer Tunnel, hearing the incredible history and stories. Emerging from the tunnel the valley descends sharply towards Milford Sound and on a rainy-day hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the mountain side.

    Pass by without stopping

  11. 11

    Milford Sound

    Following the valleys to the sea we arrive at Milford Sound where you will board your cruise with Cruise Milford (the No. 1 Cruise operator in Milford Sound on TripAdvisor).

    2 hours

    Admission: Included

  12. 12

    Mitre Peak

    While on the boat cruise you will be able to marvel at the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak, the iconic Milford Sound mountain, with its steep triangular peak rising high up above the reflective waters of the Milford Sound.

    Pass by without stopping

  13. 13

    Pops View Look Out

    Next we pull over to admire the elevated amazing views of the divide in the Southern Alps, close to the start of the Routeburn Track. While here the guide will tell you the stories of ancient Maori explorers.

    10 minutes

  14. 14

    Queenstown

    Sadly we must start to head back to Queenstown but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip and many stops and breaks along the way.

    Pass by without stopping

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup available

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

Pickup details

- Pickup offered from listed locations only. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. - If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select The Station - Home of Adventure for now. You can update this later!...

Or Meet At Meeting point

The Station - Home of Adventure in Queenstown

Corner of Shotover & Camp Streets, 25 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

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PICKUP TIMES: 6:30am for our 6:30am departure 7:00am for our 7:00am departure If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select this location for now. You can update this later!

End Point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Important Information

Pickup strictly offered from listed locations only. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. Pick ups start 15 mins before the tour time. Please check your pick up time to ensure you do not miss your pickup. We are unable to wait for late guests. You will be picked up in a 16 seater minibus with Cheeky Kiwi Travel sign-writing on it.

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • Children aged 7 years and below are required by law to travel in a child safety car seat. If you don't have a car seat one can be provided (See Exclusions) Please advise at time of booking.
  • Scenic flights cannot be confirmed without full names and weights of all travellers. Scenic flight weight restrictions are 130 KG
  • Flights are always 'On Request' until confirmed with our partner airline
  • If our regular flight operator is unavailable, we may be able to arrange an alternative operator; however, this could be at an additional cost
  • If you have dietary requirements. Please kindly indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking

Cancellation Policy

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