Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight
Overview
Available languages
10 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 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.
Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with their in-depth knowledge of the area. 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.
Additional Info
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Lake Wakatipu
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.
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.
What‘s Included
Small group tour helping you escape the crowds
WiFi on board
Convenient pick up and drop off locations around Queenstown
A breathtaking fixed-wing scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown
Knowledgable and friendly local driver/guides
Plenty of stops and photo opportunities
A packed picnic lunch is included as part of your tour.
1-Hour 45-Minute nature cruise on Milford Sound
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
Options
7:30am + LUNCH
Nature Cruise & Scenic Flight : This tour includes a 2 hour nature cruise on Milford Sound and a return scenic flight from Milford.
Packed Picnic Lunch: This has a Chicken sandwich. If you would like Vegetarian, please note in special requirements, or let our team know.
Premium Mercedes Van: Departs 7.30am. Travel by Mercedes van. Select 6.30am for Glass Roof upgrade.
Pickup included
6:30: Glass Roof Van + Lunch
Nature Cruise & Scenic Flight : This tour includes a 1 hr 45 min nature cruise on Milford Sound and a return scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown.
Packed Picnic Lunch: This option includes a packed picnic lunch. The default selection is chicken, however a vegetarian option is available.
Glass Roof Mercedes Sprinter: This option travels in a premium glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter van
Departure Time: 6:30am: From Queenstown
Pickup included
Reviews
355 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A long day but amazing memories to last forever
Johne192,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you're planning a trip to Milford Sound, Altitude Tours is the way to go! We spent 13 hours return trip on the road from Queenstown, but our fantastic driver made the day feel easy and enjoyable with his great humour and local knowledge. From the scenic stops along the way to the stunning cruise through the waterfalls, every moment was meaningful. A long day? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Highly recommended for anyone visiting New Zealand!
Outstanding
Joseph D,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous.. Amy from Altitide tours was just fantastic. She was attentive to all our needs. From the moment we started our journey till the end Amy made sure we were taken care off.
Fun & educational day trip to Fiordland National Park & Milford Sound
Travel771389,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful day trip,to Milford Sound. Started with a bus ride from Queenstown. Gigi our driver & guide was wonderful; pleasant, personable, knowledgeable & proficient! She made 6 hours pleasant. The boat trip was amazing and instructive. The plane ride back to Queenstown was a blast, & I don’t generally like to fly (fear of flying). Our pilot was calm, competent & very reassuring. Once we landed we were shuttled back close to our hotel. A very enjoyable day!
Amazing day in Milford!
V4MWchristians,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Amy was the best! So professional and friendly. We would definitely go again!
A delightful trip to Milford Sound.
EJF903,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The drive down from Queenstown to Milford Sound was great. Our driver/guide, Nicole, gave us running commentary of what we were seeing on the 4-hour drive, making sure there were plenty of stops for scenic photo opportunities and bathrooms. She was delightful and knowledgeable. We had a perfect day for a cruise around the Sound. We learned from the captain that the Milford Sound is not a sound, but a fjord. The captain pointed out seals along the rocky shore, and also the impact of the receding glaciers on waterfalls into the Sound. The crew was pleasant and helpful. We flew back to Queenstown on a small plane which gave us the opportunity to see the geography from the air.
What an experience. Our...
Bree B,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an experience. Our driver Katy was amazing, stopping off whenever she could, helping us to the cruise and a smooth ride back! Milford sound is breathtaking and well worth it! We had a wonderful time!
Must see in South Island
480bradleyd,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the sprinter van out and flew back - if you can - this is the way to go - the trip out with Chase was very pleasant n- take about 4 hours but he broke it up quite a bit so you could get out and stretch. Lots of great views along the way that we stopped for a bit and walked around. The Milford sound boat ride was incredible - really a must stop in NZ. We had a beautiful day but still a little chilly so dress accordingly. We took a fixed wing plane back to QT which was key - the long drive home would probably have dragged. We arrived back at our hotel by 4pm. The ride out was very comfortable - no one got car sick and the plane ride was free of any significant turbulence so no motion sickness at all.
A Milfound Sound journey to remember.
Patricia B,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chelsea our driver and guide was fantastic. Her in-depth knowledge was outstanding. She’s a very considerate young lady and managed the group well. She’s a good driver and we felt very safe. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. Will certainly refer your company to other travelers. Well done 🤩🤩
Very long day but absolutely worth it !!
X8739QXlindaf,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a very early start,6.15, but on the way to Milford Sound our guide, Chelsea, stopped at lots of places along the way and gave us loads of information. We had an option to buy flights back instead of about 3/4 hours in the bus after and decided to go for it( we'll only be here once) and that was a fab decision. The cruise had been lovely but this let us see things from another perspective.
Stunning! Spectacular! Worth the long bus trip
Carol F,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely stunning! Worth the long bus ride. The boat ride through the Sound was spectacular! Wished we could have cruised longer. Driver was excellent, informative and entertaining, safe driver.
From NZ$899.00
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Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience