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Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

Offered by Cheeky Kiwi Travel

From

$299.00 per person

4.9 (908 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

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

Small group day tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound with guided stops at Mirror Lakes and Homer Tunnel, plus a boutique cruise and picnic lunch.

Tour Overview

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound on a premium small group tour that combines a fully guided road journey with a boutique Milford Sound cruise and picnic lunch. The day begins alongside Lake Te Anau, with a stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, before continuing into Fiordland National Park.

As the road enters Eglinton Valley, your guide shares stories while the landscape opens out along the path of an ancient glacier. At Mirror Lakes, take a short stroll to see reflections of the Earl Mountains, then continue to Lake Gunn for a quieter pause. Further on, the route follows the Hollyford River, where large boulders and rapids shape the riverbed, and passes Falls Creek, the first of several waterfalls on the journey.

Near the divide in the Southern Alps, close to the start of the Routeburn Track, your guide recounts stories of ancient Maori explorers. Higher up in the Darran Mountains, keep watch for kea, the world’s largest alpine parrot. The descent to Milford Sound passes through the hand built Homer Tunnel, where on rainy days waterfalls spill down the mountainsides.

At Milford Sound, board a smaller cruise boat for close views of rock faces, rainforest waterfalls, New Zealand fur seals, and Mitre Peak rising above the water, before the guided return to Te Anau.

What's Included

  • Water available & snacks provided
  • Picnic Lunch - please note dietary requirements per person at time of booking
  • Small Group & Fully Guided Tour
  • Boutique Milford Sound Cruise

Not Included:

  • Picnic lunch for infants (0 - 3)
  • Restroom on board

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Te Anau

    Your tour starts in stunning idyllic town of Te Anau, after maybe meeting some of the local animals or wildlife we continue along the lake. Stopping at Te Anau Downs the starting point for the Milford Track you will be able to hear the stories and admire the views.

    Pass by without stopping

  2. 2

    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

  3. 3

    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

  4. 4

    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. Hollyford River & Falls Creek – 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.

    10 minutes

  5. 5

    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

  6. 6

    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

  7. 7

    Darran Mountains

    Climbing in altitude we go deeper into the Darran Mountains where the views require another stop to admire and take photos. We are also entering the area where Kea (the world largest alpine parrot) likes 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

  8. 8

    Homer Tunnel

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

    Pass by without stopping

  9. 9

    Milford Sound

    Following the valleys to the sea we arrive at Milford Sound where you will board your cruise! The smaller boat means you get closer to the wildlife and nature (including the New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks), massive rock faces rising for hundreds of meters out of the sea and the waterfalls cascading from the ancient rainforest high in the mountains. This cruise is unbeatable.

    2 hours

    Admission: Included

  10. 10

    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.

    5 minutes

  11. 11

    Te Anau

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

    5 minutes

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup available

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

Pickup details

*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point. You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. *Pick-ups can begin up to 15 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 - 10 minutes prior to your specific pickup time. ...

Or Meet At Meeting point

94 Te Anau Terrace

94 Te Anau Terrace, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand

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If not being collected from one of our hotel locations, please meet your guide at the bus stop by public toilets.

End Point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Important Information

*You will receive an email with important pickup information in the days prior, please read this information. *To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 - 10 minutes prior to your specific pickup time.

Additional Info

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. If you don't have a car seat one can be provided (with 24 hours’ notice).
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved. Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • 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.
  • Please advise any dietary requirements per person at time of booking

Cancellation Policy

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