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Scenic Flight Transfer to Queenstown from Milford Sound

Offered by Air Milford

From

$576.00 per person

4.9 (55 reviews)

Confirmation: MANUAL

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

35 minutes (approx.) Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

35-minute one-way flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown with aerial views of Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak, Sutherland Falls and Lake Wakatipu.

Tour Overview

Take the scenic route from Milford Sound to Queenstown on this one way 35 minute flight with Air Milford. After meeting your pilot, you will climb out through the fiord with sweeping aerial views of Milford Sound from above.

Soon after take-off, look down on Bowen Falls, one of Milford Sound’s two permanent waterfalls and its highest at 530 feet, 162 metres. You will also see Mitre Peak rising directly from the water to 5,560 feet, 1,690 metres. After rain, the fiord can be lined with hundreds of temporary waterfalls, adding even more movement to the landscape below.

Leaving Milford Sound, the flight traces south down the Arthur Valley, where Sutherland Falls comes into view at the head of the valley. At 1,900 feet, 580 metres, it is New Zealand’s highest waterfall. The route then turns east across the Southern Alps, with views over Lake Te Anau stretching to the south, followed by small alpine lakes and snow capped mountains.

From there, the flight continues over the Greenstone and Caples valleys, then out across Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s longest lake. You will also pass Walter Peak high country station and the Remarkable mountain range before landing at the Air Milford base at Queenstown Airport, where a driver will transfer you to your accommodation.

What's Included

  • Full pre-flight briefing
  • Hotel and Airport drop-off (centrally located hotels)
  • Live Air Milford pilot commentary on board

Not Included:

  • One way transport only, does not include transportation from Queenstown into Milford Sound

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Milford Sound Airport - NZMF

    Meet your pilot, to board your 35 minuet scenic flight to Queenstown.

    5 minutes

  2. 2

    Milford Sound

    The scenic flight begins by climbing up through the fiord, taking in stunning views of Milford Sound from above.

    Pass by without stopping

  3. 3

    Mitre Peak

    View the highest peak in Milford Sound, Mitre Peak. It impressively rises directly out of the water of the fiord, to it's summit at 5,560ft / 1,690 meters, which is just over a mile of vertical gain!

    Pass by without stopping

  4. 4

    Bowen Falls

    Just after take-off, view the Bowen Falls, it is one of Milford Sound's two permanent waterfalls and at 530ft / 162 meters, is Milford's highest waterfall. After rainfall, there are hundreds of waterfalls to be viewed in the fiord!

    Pass by without stopping

  5. 5

    Sutherland Falls

    After leaving Milford Sound, the flight path first takes in another view of the fiord, before tracing south, down the Arthur valley. At the head of this valley, the Sutherland Falls can be viewed, this is New Zealand's highest waterfall, falling impressively 1,900ft / 580 meters to the valley floor below.

    Pass by without stopping

  6. 6

    Lake Te Anau

    The flight path then begins to track east over the Southern Alps and towards Queenstown. New Zealand's second largest lake, lake Te Anau can be viewed stretching out to the south.

    Pass by without stopping

  7. 7

    Greenstone and Caples Tracks

    After crossing the main divide of the Southern Alps and taking in stunning views of small alpine lakes and jagged snow capped mountains, the route then traverses the densely forested Greenstone and Caples valleys.

    Pass by without stopping

  8. 8

    Lake Wakatipu

    After emerging from the Greenstone valley, fly over Lake Wakatipu. Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's longest lake at 46 miles / 75 kms, it is also incredibly deep, up to 1,250ft / 380 meters at some points! Queenstown is nestled on the lake's shores, so some great views of the town are enjoyed before landing.

    Pass by without stopping

  9. 9

    Walter Peak Station Wharf

    View the Walter Peak high country station, which is one of New Zealand's largest merino sheep farms.

    Pass by without stopping

  10. 10

    Air Milford

    View the Remarkable mountain range and Queenstown, before landing at the Air Milford base, Queenstown airport, for your drop-off to your accommodation.

    10 minutes

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Milford Sound Airport - NZMF

Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand

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End point

Air Milford

3 Tex Smith Lane, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

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A complimentary drop-off to your centrally located Queenstown accommodation is included

Important Information

PLEASE NOTE: It is essential that you call Air Milford before departing for Milford Sound to attain the weather forecast and information on how to do your weather check from Milford on the day of your scheduled flight. We can be reached by email at info@airmilford.co.nz or on our New Zealand free phone number 0800 462 252 or our international number +64 3 442 2351. There is an additional requirement to call Air Milford from Milford Sound on the morning of departure for a final weather check on our free phone number, 0800 462 252. There is limited mobile phone reception in Milford Sound, but there is a payphone in the cruise dock terminal. Alternatively, you can ask the helpful staff at the Southern Discoveries cruise desk to call us on your behalf. During this call we will confirm the meeting point, departure time and the name of your pilot. This flight is subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund. All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given a full refund
  • Due to the weather dependent nature of the flight, it is imperative that you have a back up plan in mind if your return date is not flexible
  • Do not forget to bring a jacket and your camera
  • Infant rates apply for 0 - 1 years of age, when the infant is sat on a parents lap, with an infant lap belt
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • To help everything go smoothly, please update us with your plans, ie. will you be spending the night before at the lodge? Are you taking a cruise on the day of your flight, if so, what cruise company and time? Do you have back up land transport arranged to get out of Milford, in case the weather is bad and we cannot fly?

Cancellation Policy

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