Premium Milford Sound Day Tours
Milford Sound Tour:
Cruise & Flight
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound on a bucket list day trip from Queenstown. This is the ultimate way to explore Milford Sound — a top-rated scenic tour and cruise, capped off with a breathtaking flight back to Queenstown. Travel in comfort with a small group of just 16 guests, ensuring a more personal and crowd-free adventure.
From NZD $749 per person
Premium Mercedes Sprinter Bus
Maximum 16 guests
10 hours duration (Approx)
What's Included
- Central pickup and drop-off locations in Queenstown
- Return transport in a modern, air-conditioned minibus
- Experienced local guide with in-depth commentary
- Multiple scenic and photo stops en route to Milford Sound
- Milford Sound nature cruise (1 hr 45 min) including a picnic lunch
- Complimentary water & snacks (please bring a reusable water bottle)
- Scenic flight back to Queenstown
ITINERARY
Departure Time: 6.30am or 7.30am
1. Queenstown – Tour Departure
Your day begins with a convenient pickup at or near your accommodation in Queenstown. Settle into your seat in our premium sprinter and meet your local guide—someone who’s not only well-versed in the area’s natural and cultural heritage but also passionate about sharing it. As we leave Queenstown behind, your guide will introduce the route and point out notable landmarks.
2. Lake Wakatipu – Scenic Drive & Photo Stop
We travel alongside the stunning shores of Lake Wakatipu, winding our way through dramatic alpine landscapes. The Remarkables mountain range offers a breathtaking backdrop - perfect for an early photo opportunity to start the day right.
3. Kingston – Historical Rail Town
Pass through the charming settlement of Kingston, known for its historic railway. Your guide will share stories of the area’s heritage as we continue south.
4. Southland Rural Landscapes – Commentary Stop
As we cross into Southland, take in the wide-open spaces and lush farmland. Your guide will provide insight into the local farming lifestyle and how this region plays a key role in New Zealand’s agriculture.
5. Te Anau – Lakeside Break
Arriving in Te Anau, we pause for a comfort stop. Grab a coffee and enjoy a short lakeside stroll. If you’re lucky, you might spot some local wildlife. A little further along, we pull in at Te Anau Downs. From here, you’ll look across the lake to where the famous Milford Track begins. Your guide will share the history of this world-renowned walking trail and its early explorers.
6. Fiordland National Park Entrance – Scenic Pause
We officially enter Fiordland National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the landscape instantly changes. Dense rainforest, moss-covered beech trees, and towering peaks welcome us into this remote wilderness.
7. Eglinton Valley – Glacier-Carved Wonder
Stop and step out into the wide-open expanse of Eglinton Valley. Formed by ancient glaciers, this dramatic landscape looks like something straight out of a fantasy film - it's no wonder it featured in The Lord of the Rings.
8. Mirror Lakes – Reflective Beauty Walk
Take a short stroll to see the perfectly still Mirror Lakes, famous for their glass-like reflections of the Earl Mountains. On a clear day, it’s a photographer’s dream.
9. Knobs Flat – Geological Stop & Facilities
We make a brief stop at Knobs Flat, where you’ll learn about the geological forces that shaped this dramatic region. Public toilets and an interpretive display make this a handy break point.
10. Hollyford River – Wild Waters
Follow the route of the Hollyford River, a fast-flowing alpine stream lined with dense native forest and giant boulders. We pause for a moment to admire its energy and raw beauty.
11. Falls Creek – Waterfall Lookout Our next stop is at Falls Creek, where a powerful waterfall plunges down the steep mountainside. It’s one of the first of many waterfalls you’ll encounter today—weather permitting.
12. Darran Mountains – Alpine Vistas
Climbing higher, we enter the heart of the Darran Mountains. We’ll pull over at a lookout point to take in the panoramic views of these dramatic granite peaks. Keep your eyes open for kea, New Zealand’s curious alpine parrots.
13. Homer Tunnel – Engineering Marvel
Journey through the iconic Homer Tunnel, carved by hand through solid rock. Learn the fascinating history of this feat of engineering as we prepare to descend into the dramatic Cleddau Valley. Emerging from the tunnel, the road winds through a steep glacial valley. On rainy days, the cliffs come alive with hundreds of cascading waterfalls—a magical and unforgettable sight.
15. Milford Sound – Nature Cruise
Upon reaching Milford Sound, we board a boutique cruise with Southern Discoveries. You'll experience the fiord’s grandeur up close with towering cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and native wildlife, including New Zealand fur seals.
16. Stirling & Bowen Falls – Up Close with Nature
During the cruise, experience the majesty of Stirling and Bowen Falls—two of Milford Sound’s most iconic waterfalls. If the conditions are right, your skipper may nose the boat right into the spray!
17. Mitre Peak – The Icon of the Sound
Admire the towering Mitre Peak, rising nearly 1,700 metres from the fiord. Its distinctive triangular shape makes it one of the most photographed landmarks in New Zealand.
18. Return Journey – Scenic Flight
At the end of the day, your guide will take you to Glenorchy Air Base, where you’ll board a scenic flight back to Queenstown, offering stunning aerial views of this incredible region.
This full-day tour runs for approximately 10 hours and is designed with comfort and immersion in mind, making it the perfect way to explore the majesty of Milford Sound in a single, unforgettable day.
16-Seater Tour Vehicle
Luxury Vehicle with Luggage Trailer
Adjustable Leather Seats
16-Seater Luxury Bus
New Zealand's Best Tour Vehicles
Luxury Small Group Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz vehicles
Luxury leather seats
Unlimited WIFI
Air Conditioning
USB charging port at every seat
Big windows for amazing views
Make the most of your time on the road in your 16-seater luxury tour vehicle. Fitted out with luxury leather seats, USB ports, unlimited WIFI, stereo, air con, and big windows to admire those amazing views. New Zealand has some of the world’s most scenic roads and this is the best way to experience them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Milford Sound Day Tours travel in premium Mercedes Sprinter vans with only 15 seats onboard. These vans have been designed for long-distance touring with extended legroom, modern interior, and those ever-important panoramic windows for amazing views!
Traveling with kids is a lot of fun, and helps you embrace your inner child as you visit new places around the world.
Kids are able to travel with us to Milford Sound, however, as many of us in the team have children ourselves, this is not something we actively recommend. You will be traveling in the van for approx. 10 hours which can be a long time for small humans who love to run around, or may be prone to car sickness.
Our vehicles are 16 seaters, so this will be your maximum group size on the bus, making for a more personal, small group experience.
Once you arrive in Milford Sound, we join a small boat nature cruise that can take up 60-75 people onboard, depending on the weather.
There is no minimum age for this tour. It is of course a long day of travel which can be challenging for babies, and young children.
We can provide a pre-booked packed picnic lunch for $40 per person which will include a sandwich, fruit, and a range of snacks.
If you don’t choose this option we suggest bringing your own lunch. We do stop in Te Anau on the way, however, we cannot guarantee their lunch supplies and there is no food in Milford Sound or on the boat.
We partnered with two cruise operators, who are both small boat experiences in Milford Sound. They’ll provide a 1-hour 45-minute cruise through the sound, getting up close to the towering waterfalls and providing informative commentary.
