Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown
Overview
Available languages
13 hours
Mobile ticket
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 globally award winning small group tour is for travellers seeking an all-inclusive, uniquely-kiwi, personalised trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound and back.
Our fleet of modern Mercedes vans are fitted with leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi and Spotify. Enjoy a small-group journey with 15 people maximum for ultimate comfort and undivided attention from your guide.
Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with in-depth knowledge of the area, as you travel from Queenstown into the Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Road. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as your guide's favourite spots.
Enjoy a 1hr 45min boutique uncrowded cruise and picnic lunch while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer!
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes and rain jacket.
Please be aware that Milford Sound is a 5 hour drive from Queenstown (one-way with sightseeing stops). This is a full day excursion, and including the 1hr 45min cruise on the fiord, allow approximately 13 hours door to door.
A packed picnic lunch is included in your experience. The default choice is a chicken, however you can request a vegetarian lunch until 5pm the day prior.
Please bring a reusable water bottle on tour with us. There are multiple locations to refill during the day.
The cruise operator requires all passengers need to be able to board and disembark the vessel without assistance in case of an emergency.
What To Expect
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 15 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.
Lake Te Anau
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.
Options
7.30am Departure & Lunch
Nature Cruise: This tour includes a two hour nature cruise on Milford Sound Packed Picnic Lunch: This tour includes a packed picnic lunch. The default option is chicken; please get in touch if you would prefer a vegetarian Standard Van: Our 7.30am departure is conducted in out standard premium Merceds touring vans Pickup included
6am Summer Departure & Lunch
Nature Cruise: This tour includes a 1 hr 45 min nature cruise on Milford Sound. Packed Picnic Lunch : This option includes a packed picnic lunch box. The default selection is chicken, with options to change to vege. Standard Van: This tour is conducted in our standard premium Mercedes touring vehicles. Pickup included
6.30am Glass Roof Van & Lunch
Cruise : This tour includes a 1 hr 45 min nature cruise on Milford Sound Packed Picnic Lunch: This tour includes a packed picnic lunch. The default option is chicken; please get in touch if you would prefer a vegetarian Glass Roof Mercedes Sprinter: This option connects to our 6:30am departure which offers a guaranteed glass-roof top van. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Packed picnic lunch is included
WiFi on board
Convenient pick up and drop off locations around Queenstown
Tea & coffee available on the nature cruise
Knowledgable and friendly local driver/guides
1hr 45min nature cruise on Milford Sound
Off-the-beaten track scenic photo stops en route
To reduce single-use plastic, we do not provide water bottles. We recommend anyone travelling NZ to have their own reusable water bottle. There are several locations to refill during the day.
Pickup points
Mercure Queenstown Resort
21 Sainsbury Road, Fernhill Queenstown New Zealand
The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments and Lakeside Residences
377 Frankton Road, Lake Wakatipu Queenstown New Zealand
Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery Collection
10-18 Brunswick Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown New Zealand
QT Queenstown
38-54 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown Queenstown New Zealand
Kamana Lakehouse
139 Fernhill Road Queenstown New Zealand
Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown
91 Fernhill Rd Queenstown New Zealand
Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde
54 Robins Road, P O Box 247 Queenstown New Zealand
Crowne Plaza Queenstown By IHG
93 Beach Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,614 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour
1aje,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chase was an excellent driver and tour guide that gave us valuable knowledge and insight to all the places we stopped at and surrounding areas. We had 2 brief bathroom stops and a ~30minute snack stop at Te Anau on the way to Milford Sound. We also had 4 brief stops for pictures at excellent viewpoints of the Fiordland National Park. Chase was very accommodating at all the stops while offering to take photos. Once we got to Milford sound, instructions were very clear on which boat we get on and the plan after the cruise. The cruise itself was stunning. Beautiful scenery that made the long trip worthwhile, which was fortunately accompanied with lunch, great weather, and extended dolphin sightings. On the way back, Chase accommodated and made an unplanned stop for us to experience a rare Kea bird sighting/interaction. Otherwise, the drive back to Queenstown was mostly direct with a brief bathroom stop at Te Anau. Overall, an excellent experience and service.
Best birthday trip, Milford Sound blew my mind
GrandTour45864095531,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Honestly didn’t expect much. I just booked this as a birthday treat for myself today, 21st June, is my birthday, and I thought it would just be another normal tour. You know, the usual stuff. But wow, I was so wrong. Our guide was Malav Patel and he just… made the whole trip something else. I had zero expectations about the guide going in, but the way Malav explained every single spot, the words he chose, the way he put things together, you could really feel his passion in it. It wasn’t just facts. It felt like he actually loves what he does and wants you to love it too. No rush at all. He took his time at every stop, never made you feel like you had to hurry. That kind of thing matters more than people think. I genuinely feel lucky I got him as my guide. He is honestly the best guide I’ve met so far, no exaggeration. This trip made me realise something, a good guide can make a HUGE difference. If you get the chance to go on the Milford Sound premium small group tour and Malav is your guide, you’re in for something special. Would 100% recommend. One of my best trips, for real. Tip: Book the glass roof scenic tour, you will feel the difference. Thank me later!!
Perfecta Tour even when it’s raining
BeckyL2103,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience on the Milford Sounds tour with Altitude Tours. Our guide, Amy, was absolutely lovely and so helpful throughout the day. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole trip even more enjoyable with her great attitude and care for everyone on the tour. Milford Sound itself was stunning, and having such a wonderful guide made the experience even better. I would highly recommend Altitude Tours, and especially Amy, to anyone looking to do this trip!
Lord of the rings fans!
Nomad30650224461,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a breathtaking experience with our tour guide sinchan it was interactive and no one was left out I got exactly what I came for to see the culture and scenery and to make a memory that will stay with me and my family forever. Sinchan was very attentive and focused on keeping the vibes up and making sure we are all safe he was very knowledgeable about anything regarding Queenstown all the way to Milford sound so any questions we had always came straight back with an enlightened answer I would 100% recommend this to any family or friends or anyone who wants to learn about the beauty of the south Island.
Breathtaking
Climber32317196498,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fabulous day trip with Nev as our driver. It was an early start but well worth it to enjoy all the scenic stops along the way. Nev was friendly, knowledgeable and a genuine gentleman. Our cruise was stunning, a magical part of the world.
Wonderful Experience
arshdeep s,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had best experience on tour to milford.
Excellent
991ofeliac,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amy , our tour guide is so knowledgeable and very friendly. We have the best time even it's a long day . Great job.
Bloody brilliant
Culture31393254236,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the day tour with Nev, he is a great bloke, very knowledgeable and a great sense of humor. Looked after us well with plenty of photo stops along the way. Was an absolutely magic day would highly recommend!!
Absolutely stunning Fjords!
SofiaE441,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing. The tour guide - Amy - was lovely and gave us an incredible drive from Queenstown up to Milford Sound with great explanations of the area and the way there, and tips for the ferry ride as well. We are greateful for an amazing experience we had also on the helicopter flight for the way back - once in a lifetime!
Milford sound - spectacular
Vicky A,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you are proned to motion sickness sit at front of the van and maybe take a travel motion tablet apart from that the tour has spectacular scenery and the boat ride was wonderful, saw a mother dolphin with her two babies they swam alongside our boat out through the sound and followed us back our tour guide was wonderful I called him Milo he was very knowledgeable & friendly
Related Experiences
Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience