Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight

About this experience

Milford Sound is arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand and a must-see for any traveller. Whether seen in sunshine or rain, the incredible views are guaranteed to leave you awestruck. This is a small group tour for travellers seeking a uniquely-kiwi trip to Milford Sound.

We keep things personal using our fleet of modern Mercedes vans. Enjoy your journey with no more than 16 people in a vehicle with premium features such as leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi & Spotify playlists.

Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as our guide's favourite off-the-beaten-track spots.

Enjoy a 1-hour 45-minute small uncrowded cruise while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer! You can also add on a picnic lunch to enjoy.

After your cruise, take in the views from above, on an incredible flight back to Queenstown over the Southern Alps.

Schedule

Start times: 06:30, 07:30

1. Stop 1

   Start your day by meeting our friendly local guide at or near your Queenstown accommodation. You'll travel in style in a premium Mercedes van designed for touring with only 16 seats onboard. The first leg of our journey to Milford Sound transports you from Queenstown through the picturesque Southland farming country and the charming town of Te Anau, where we'll make a brief stop by the lakeside for refreshments.

2. Stop 2 · 30 min

   Lake Te Anau is in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. The lake covers an area of 344 km², making it the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand and the largest in the South Island. It is the largest lake in Australasia by fresh water volume.

3. Stop 3 · 3 h

   From here, we welcome you to the Fiordland National Park and the renowned Milford Road. This corridor to the fjord unveils a different side of New Zealand, with its majestic mountains, winding rivers, and the cheeky Kea bird. Throughout the journey, your guide will make multiple stops for photo opportunities, and short walks, and will entertain you with fascinating local facts and stories.

4. Stop 4

   Within the Eglinton Valley you’ll also find the famous Mirror Lakes and Knobs Flat.

5. Stop 5 · 10 min

   Enjoy a beautiful short nature walk and view the famous Mirror Lakes

6. Stop 6

   The Homer Tunnel is a 1.2 km long road tunnel in the Fiordland region of the South Island of New Zealand, opened in 1953. New Zealand State Highway 94 passes through the tunnel, linking Milford Sound to Te Anau and Queenstown, by piercing the Darran Mountain range at the Homer Saddle

7. Stop 7 · 2 h

   Upon reaching Milford Sound, embark on a 2 hour nature cruise that takes you beneath the towering peaks of the fjord. This small boat cruise, accompanied by a knowledgeable onboard nature guide, allows you to explore the edges of the fjord, revealing its impressive waterfalls and unique wildlife, which may include dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and native birdlife.

8. Stop 8 · 45 min

   After your cruise, you will be introduced to your pilot, who will take you to the skies on a truly incredible scenic flight back to Queenstown. Travelling on a fixed-wing plane, this flight is approximately 45 minutes and offers aerial views of Milford Sound and Queenstown, alongwith the impressive snow-capped mountains, glaciers and braided rivers in between.

Requirements & restrictions

• Ages: Adults 0–99 years
• YOUR PICK UP
• After booking, you will receive a message from one of our team confirming your exact departure location and time, and asking you any questions relevant to your booking. Please keep an eye out for this and please do not hesitate to ask us any questions prior to the day.
• Please be at your departure point 10 minutes prior to your departure time. Our guide will wait up to 5 minutes. Any late arrivals that miss the tour will be fully charged.
• WHAT TO BRING
• Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes, and a rain jacket.
• We would recommend you bring extra snacks or come prepared to buy food/drink during our stops in Te Anau.
• For those who added on lunch at the time of booking: If you added on a packed picnic lunch, this will include a chicken sandwich. You can request a vegetarian sandwich or stipulate dietary requirements up until 5pm the day before departure.
• To reduce single-use plastic, we no longer provide water bottles and recommend all travelers bring a reusable bottle with them. There is an option to purchase a reusable bottle onboard if you come unprepared.
• In the event you are unable to fly, you will be transported back to Queenstown on our premium van and refunded the flight portion of your fare.

Good to know

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
• Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes and a rain jacket.
• The flight back is weather dependant and in the case where flights are cancelled due to weather, you will return to Queenstown by van and be refunded your flight portion of your ticket.
• A packed picnic lunch is included. The default choice is chicken, however you can request a vegetarian lunch until 5pm the day prior.
• Please bring a reusable waterbottle on tour with us. There are multiple locations to refill during the day.

Meeting point

Hotel pickup or an exact meeting point in Queenstown, confirmed after booking.

Cancellation

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

Guest rating