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
Plenty of stops and photo opportunities
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
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
Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery Collection
10-18 Brunswick Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown New Zealand
Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown
38 - 54 Lake Esplanade, 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
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
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
Reviews
335 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Milford Sound Experience
574daved,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great Milford Sound experience with Altitude. Small tour of 12ppl departing Queenstown. Driver /guide was super friendly and pleasant. Made a few stops along the way for pictures, coffee, food. Unfortunately our flight back was cancelled due to weather. Note: it rains a LOT in the Sound and the flight is often cancelled. Our travel agent refunded this.
A bucket list item to check off with McAmy!
JoAnne C,,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a long drive but so worth it! McAmy was the best van driver, music player, story teller, and made wonderful stops with great information! We just loved her!
Queenstown to Milford Sound
702bobk,,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unbelievable scenery. Not to be missed. Our guide Will with Altitude was great. Attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Great trip!
Wonderful day filled with a sense of awe.
923heatherh,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver/guide Jono was wonderful. Don't know how he retains all that information about literally every mile of the drive. He kept us all on schedule, with just the right stops. His classic comment as we saw another magnificent sight was " if you think this is great-just wait! The best is still ahead." Upon arrival at our boat he walked us down to our gang plank and handed us our lunches there, and was there to greet us upon our arrival back in port. After the cruise he met us and made sure we were handed off to our pilot who was running late. He was so enjoyable that it almost made us want to cancel the flight and just ride back with him! Lunch and cruise were fine, pretty standard from what others we talked to experienced. Lily was the captain for our plane. And she was great. My husband is afraid of heights and she put him at ease immediately(and he was in the co-pilot seat!) It was really nice to get back to Queenstown earlier than the dual coach up and back would have been. Only negative would be that I wish the company provided water for everyone as I saw some other travel companies did while we were waiting for our tour. Just make sure you bring your own with you.
Great tour guide! Once in a lifetime experience
katiemH6014TQ,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience with a great group. Chase was a fantastic guide with all the knowledge and a good sense of humour. Thanks so much! Katie and Alex
Great Day in Milford Sound
406gregk,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Terrific experience today with Katy! She did a magnificent job of sharing both the history and geography of the region, she did it with humor and excellence. It was a great day that we hated see come to an end.
Our driver and guide, Malav, proved to be not only affable but extremely knowledgeable.
Pat L,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00proved knowledgeable about the sites, geology, the plant life and history during the long van ride to Te Anau and the National Park. His narrative was not only entertaining but extremely informative to those of us in a new country viewing unusual scenery. He engaged individually with all members of the group which served to acquaint us with each other and opened individual conversations. Additionally, his driving skills were excellent and we arrived often several minutes early at our various stops. He kept us informed about the possibility that we may need to make a decision on our flying versus driving return options. Malav guided us to the cruise boat, gave us a tip on which side of the boat to sit on for the best views, and met us at the end of the cruise and advised us what our flying options were at that time. We flew! I’d grade Malav’s overall performance among the most complete and professional of those I’ve experienced.
Ten thousand water falls!
Navigate489305,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a rainy day but we had a most beautiful experience at Mill ford sound excursion. Our driver Will was very informative, friendly and helpful, good driver as well! He made sure we are meeting at right point and get on the boat timely. Saw so many beautiful water falls in a one day! It was our high light of our New Zealand trip!
Great trip to Milford Sound
marjorie758,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Perfectly organized, great guide (thank you Carol!), good lunch, beautiful cruise, topping it off with an absolutely stunning helicopter flight back to Queenstown!
Milford Sound a must trip
lawson55elizabeth,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spectacular guide, Nicole Who knew what she was doing g the whole trip as the rain poured down. Perfect weather she said to see the Milford Sound. Plenty of stops for snacks and necessities and a comfortable van ride . The Sound was amazing with many look out spot opportunities , avoiding the bus crowds. Lunch and great driving through all the curvy roads . Thank you for a great memory Nicole
From NZ$899.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience