Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Te Anau
Overview
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Milford Sound Tour from Te Anau, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines the amazing return journey to Milford Sound with a boutique Milford Sound Cruise aboard the No.1 Trip Advisor rated cruise company, Cruise Milford. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
Description
Highlights:
Milford Sound Cruise with Cruise Milford
Fiordland National Park
Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel & Mitre Peak
Wildlife Spotting
Itinerary:
1. Te Anau - Your tour starts in stunning idyllic town of Te Anau, after maybe meeting some of the local animals or wildlife we continue along the lake. Stopping at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, you will be able to hear the stories and admire the views.
2. Eglington Valley – Leaving Te Anau and entering Fiordland National Park we stop in Eglinton Valley. With views worthy of Lord of the Rings, this valley follows the path of an ancient glacier through Fiordland, one of the first major attractions as you enter the park. It really sets the scene for a journey that only get more impressive the deeper you get.
3. Mirror Lakes – Our next stop on this epic adventure is Mirror Lakes for a short stroll to see the famous reflections of the Earl Mountains. Get the right day, take a good picture and no one will be able to tell which way is the right way up for the photo.
4. Lake Gunn – Continuing along the Milford Road we come across Lake Gunn. Named after a famous explorer and popular for fishing, often we will stop at Lake Gunn for some photos and to enjoy the peace.
5. Hollyford River & Falls Creek – A short drive away we start passing the Hollyford River, a gorgeous and powerful river full of large boulders and rapids. Feeding into the river at Falls Creek is the first of our extremely impressive waterfalls of the area, one of many to come.
6. Darran Mountains – Climbing in altitude we go deeper into the Darran Mountains and these views require another stop to admire and take photos. We are also entering the area where Kea (the world’s largest alpine parrot) likes to live. Start keeping an eye out for these large, cheeky and colourful birds that never fail to thrill and entertain when found.
7. Homer Tunnel – To make our way back down towards the sea we enter the mind-blowing, hand-built Homer Tunnel, hearing the incredible history and stories. Emerging from the tunnel, the valley descends sharply towards Milford Sound and on a rainy-day hundreds of waterfalls can be seen cascading down the mountain side.
8. Milford Sound – Following the valleys to the sea we arrive at Milford Sound where you will board your cruise with Cruise Milford (the No. 1 Cruise operator in Milford Sound on TripAdvisor). The Cruise Milford experience offers a boutique cruise on a smaller boat which is less crowded and a crew that offers a much more informative and personal tourof Milford Sound. The smaller boat means you get closer to the wildlife and nature (including the New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks), massive rock faces rising for hundreds of metres out of the sea and the waterfalls cascading from the ancient rainforest high in the mountains. This cruise is unbeatable.
9. Mitre Peak – While on the boat cruise you will be able to marvel at the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak, the iconic Milford Sound mountain, with its steep triangular peak rising high up above the reflective waters of the Milford Sound.
10. The Chasm – After your cruise, do not fear the adventure is not over, there is the return journey with many more amazing stops. One of the stops during this journey (weather and timing dependent) is The Chasm. A spectacular bush walk and dramatic views of powerful waterfalls and water sculpted shapes in the rocks.
11. Pop's View Lookout - Next we pull over to admire the elevated amazing views of the divide in the Southern Alps, close to the start of the Routeburn Track. While here the guide will tell you the stories of ancient Maori explorers.
12. Te Anau – Sadly we must start to head back to Te Anau but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip and many stops and breaks along the way.
Cancellation Policy
Terms: Tours will only run if at least 5 people have booked on the tour, we reserves the right to alter the tour due to weather or operational needs.
A full refund will be issued for cancellations made a minimum of 10 days prior to the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Small Group & Fully Guided Tour
Cruise entry
Picnic Lunch
Water available & snacks provided
Picnic lunch for infants (0-3)
Pickup from hotels not listed
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
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Reviews
737 reviews
Fabulous experience
Leanne I,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The small group tour from Te Anau was fantastic. Our driver Steve was an absolute highlight of the experience with his knowledge of Milford Sound and NZ as a whole. He made the whole day relaxed, comfortable and fun. We were also able to get to know each other on the smaller coaches and tailor stops to suit everyone in a more personalised way than the larger coaches would. Milford is worth the trip, even in the cold windy rain that we had. Unmissable experience. Loved it!
Coach trip from Te Ana’s...
Andrea D,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Coach trip from Te Anau with husband and two children… Very well run and organised from start to finish. Steve our host was a wealth of information and knew where to stop and get the best photos. Nothing was too much trouble, even had spare ponchos on board when we didn’t have our wet weather gear on. Was such a joy not having to drive ourselves, and we could sit back and relax, watching the incredible scenery, knowing we were being so well looked after and in safe hands on a somewhat challenging journey. We sat at the back, the small coach meant we could clearly hear Steve and happily feel a part of the small group. The boat we went on was also lovely, comfortable, plenty of room to move around. Got us under the waterfall which was a thrill. Would highly recommend, an amazing day out.
Milford sound tour
679tammyw,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our Milford Sound trip was perfect Jeremy our guide was the best! So knowledgeable about the area and made the day so pleasant Bus very comfy Lunch and snacks wonderful The boat cruise was sensational Thank you cheeky kiwi Will defs recommend!!!
not just a sight seeing
Ss152,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00our guide Jeremy was a wealth of information about the area, nature, history and wild life, the trip was not just a sight seeing, rather educational and eye opener.
Highly recommend this wonderful experience.
barbaravL6305VA,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jeremy was an excellent guide – knowledgeable, funny, accommodating, and professional. He made the trip extremely enjoyable. The smaller size boat tour was excellent. We loved seeing the seals,the dolphins and getting wet through the waterfall!
Great way to relax and enjoy a Cruise & journey to Milford Sound
Geraint M,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Steve our Driver was polite, friendly and very chatty. It rained heavily as expected for this area. We were very glad we chose the Tour from Te Anau half the travel time than based at Queenstown, because even in summer the roads were wet slippery and covered in vegetation from high winds and a fallen tree. We learned a lot about Fiordland National Park stopped lots of times for photo opportunities and a stroll. Milford Sound was brilliant the small ship had plenty of room and hot and cold drinks. Because of the heavy rain we saw thousands of waterfalls all around us they were spectacular and the ship was steady during our 2 hour cruise. The picnic lunch was perfect chicken and salad sandwiches were fresh and tasty. Well done Cheeky Kiwi and Mitre Cruise a very enjoyable full day out 😎
Had an amazing day. Didn’t disappoint!
Pamela A,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed the bus trip with Steve’s commentary; very engaging and interesting. The sound was spectacular. Tasty lunch provided.
Great Experience
OnAir52266712112,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our trip! Steve was an excellent and very knowledgeable guide who really went above and beyond to make this trip so amazing! We got snacks, waters, packed lunches and LOADS of fun facts and photo opportunities.
Fantastic Milford Sound trip - highly recommend.
jamescA9036TC,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this Milford Sound trip. Steve was a fantastic guide, his knowledge of the area and NZ in general was very impressive and his delivery was engaging - we could have listened to him all day!
Best ever tour
612franciskav,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice and well organized tour with stunning views. The guide was exceptional as well as the itinerary, enough time to tako photos and rest a bit. Highly recommend!
From A$262.48
Te Anau, New Zealand
- Free cancellation
Reserve Now & Pay Later - available
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