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Premium Milford Sound Tour Including Cruise, Flight & Lunch

Offered by Cheeky Kiwi Travel

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$898.00 per person

4.9 (240 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 trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound via Te Anau and Fiordland, with a boutique cruise and scenic flight back to Queenstown.

Tour Overview

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a small group day trip that combines a guided road journey, a boutique cruise, and a scenic flight back to Queenstown.

Leaving Queenstown, the route follows Lake Wakatipu with views of The Remarkables, then winds through Devil’s Staircase before reaching Te Anau, beside Lake Te Anau. At Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, there is time to hear local stories and take in the lakeside setting. From there, the journey continues into Fiordland National Park.

Stops along the Milford Road include Eglinton Valley, shaped by an ancient glacier, Mirror Lakes, where the Earl Mountains are reflected in still water, and Lake Gunn. Near the Hollyford River, you will see large boulders, rapids, and Falls Creek feeding into the river. Higher up in the Darran Mountains, there is also the chance to spot kea, the world’s largest alpine parrot, before passing through the hand built Homer Tunnel.

At Milford Sound, board a Cruise Milford boat for a smaller, less crowded cruise. On the water, look for New Zealand fur seals on the rocks, steep rock faces rising from the fiord, waterfalls dropping from ancient rainforest, and the sharp triangular form of Mitre Peak above the reflective water.

The day finishes with a scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown, with commentary from your pilot along the way.

What's Included

  • Water available & snacks provided
  • Small group bus tour from Queenstown
  • Picnic Lunch - please note dietary requirements per person at time of booking
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Scenic Flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown
  • Milford Sound Cruise

Not Included:

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

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.

    10 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). The Cruise Milford experience offers a boutique cruise on a smaller boat which is less crowded and a crew that offers a much more informative and personal tour of Milford Sound. 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 metres out of the sea and the waterfalls cascading from an ancient rainforest high in the mountains. This cruise is unbeatable.

    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.

    10 minutes

  13. 13

    Queenstown

    Lastly you take to the skies on the amazing scenic flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown. Your friendly and knowledgeable pilot will provide commentary during the flight, pointing out hidden lakes and waterfalls and the history of the areas you're flying over. Flight admission included in tour price.

    40 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 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minute prior to your specific pickup time. ...

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 time: 6:30am. If not being collected from one of our hotel locations, please meet your guide at The Station - Home of Adventure / Marmolada Cafe

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. *Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minute prior to your specific pickup time.

Additional Info

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • 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
  • Return scenic flight may be cancelled due to weather conditions. In this situation your return transport will be via mini bus and you will receive a partial refund.
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
  • Bus tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can hire seats ($20NZD per seat) or you can provide your own
  • Please advise any dietary requirements per person at time of booking
  • Scenic Flight weight restrictions are 140 kg per person

Cancellation Policy

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