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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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
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
6.30am 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
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
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
Reviews
2,543 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Superb day going to cruising and flying the Milford fiord
Clone32,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Comfortable Sprinter. A for the 5+ hour drive with a few stops for coffee, bio and lots of scenic views. Our driver was terrific with great narration. The cruise in the fiord (not a sound) was pleasant with great views. Weather was perfect so we got to fly back and the views are incredible and it was comfortable. Great day
Milford Sound amazing day
wendyfD4580YD,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was amazing, they picked us up at our hotel and dropped us back again. The scenery was spectacular and Will our driver was so informative and knowledgeable. He liked taking the miles out of us Aussies and took it back, made it friendly and personable. Would highly recommended this trip to anyone.
Milford Sound in a small group is the way to go.
Michael W,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a fantastic way to explore Milford Sound. It is a long way to Milford Sound, but having a well informed guide like we did makes the time fly. On the drive down you make multiple stops to see the sights. Being in a smaller group makes it so much easier to get on/off at these stops as compared to the larger coach bus groups. The waterfalls and the views are absolutely spectacular.
Loved my tour!
145shinek,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Thomas was really nice and friendly, incredible knowledgeable. loved his stories about the local mauri people story's. The cruise was also amazing!
Small group tour. Spectacular scenery. Lots of stops along the way for photos. Highly recommend
Traveler51613419771,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Small van. Only 11 people plus Gina the driver & half of us were Aussies which was great. We all got to know each other well. Gina was a great driver - we felt very safe in her hands. Because we were in a small vehicle we were able to make several stops along the way to Milford Sound - we took photos at the place where the opening scene of Lord of the Rings was filmed, we stopped at a waterfall, at the Mirror Lakes and at a another place to grab a drink/food and do some souvenir shopping. When we arrived at Milford Sound we were given our packed lunches and hopped on the boat almost immediately. It had rained alot the day before so the waterfalls were pouring down but we had great weather except for about 20mins of rain on the way back in the boat. On the almost 2 hr boat trip we saw seals and the scenery and waterfalls were spectacular. Even the drive to and from Milford Sound was so scenic. I think it was an advantage to go with a smaller group tour as the larger buses had huge numbers of people and they didn't have time to do all the stops along the way as we did.
Great trip with excellent tour guide Gina
Sunshine06770701813,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience. Gina our driver and guide kept us entertained with a lot of fun stories and details. She stopped at various points and we could walk around for a few minutes. Excellent trip and excellent Gina. Highly recommend
Awesome sights!
shairg2026,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day on the Milford Sound tour. Stunning sights and the stops on the way were also amazing. Well worth the cost.Altitude staff were friendly, professional, and great with communication. Highly recommend!
Perfect Day Out
ew956,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time, the views were spectacular and the right amount of time was given to enjoy each stop. Our guide was Katy and she was great.
Must Do Activity
Seaside43932387415,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best tour we did in NZ by a mile. Will the Tour Guide was a pro and provided great commentary along the way. Highly recommended.
Huge congratulations to the team for a great day out.
Marcus B,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s a long day but worth every minute of the day and the money. Chelsea our driver/guide was most accommodating with rest stops and she gave information about the areas.
From NZ$379.00
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Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience