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
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 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
Reviews
2,583 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
It was a great tour!...
Diana M,May 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great tour! James was a great tour guide. The cruise was awesome, we even saw some dolphins!
A truly amazing Milford journey
Nadia B,May 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the ultimate Milford sounds experience! Small group, super informative tour guide, and an amazing scenic journey. There were lots of scenic stops along the way, great for photo opps, and the journey itself was mesmerising. The Milford cruise was inspirational, we got up close and personal with waterfalls, saw dolphins & seals and took in the breathtaking view along the way. Experience was 10/10 and would highly recommend this tour!
Stunningly beautiful!
X683XVrachelm,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the day trip to the Milford Sound with stops along the way in Te Anau, Mirror Lake, and several spots in Fiordland National Park along with a small cruise in the Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park and the Milford Sound are the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen! We also had the luck to see a kea - a smart and endangered alone parrot! Our tour guide Mairi was excellent and shared good stories along the drive. I would highly recommend this trip!
Great day visiting Milford Sound
ChrisF728,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had a wonderful day on this tour. The scenery was truly awe-inspiring. We were blessed with a sunny cool day while cruising Milford Sound. We could not ask for more. Our driver Thomas was fantastic! 5 stars for him as well. He was very informative and a great story teller. We highly recommend this tour!
Amazing trip to Milford Sound!
Roam09595946673,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing experience with Thomas on the Milford Sound tour! The whole experience was first rate from the on-time pickup, Thomas’ friendly greeting, his great explanations of the history, flora and fauna along the way with interesting stories, the spectacular boat ride in Milford Sound with tasty picnic lunch, and the beautiful ride back. We fully recommend this trip. Thanks, Thomas, for a wonderful day!!!
Awesome experience and our driver Thomas was great!
Freedom32195506129,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Experience was everything and more! A must when you come to Queenstown.
We had a wonderful day...
Natasha V,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful day with our tour guide and driver, Sinchan! He was very friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgable (and took great photos of us!). Despite being a 12 hour tour with 8-10 hours of driving, it didn’t feel that long because of all the interesting commentary he provided for us on the surrounding history, geology, conservation, and anything else we were interested in, along with well-timed stops along the way to the fjord. The tour size was intimate and we enjoyed getting to know the other guests. The whole tour was timed very smoothly and we really appreciated being able to just hop onto the boat for our cruise right after arriving at the terminal. The scenery was jaw-droppingly gorgeous and we were able to appreciate it more from the passenger seats than if we’d driven ourselves. We definitely felt we got our money’s worth and would love to do another tour with Altitude if we ever return to NZ!
Milford Sound - let’s do that again!
Y721DVheleno,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful day was had with James our tour guide. A fun drive to Milford Sound and although the weather did not permit for us to fly back to Queenstown, we had a sing-a-long and guess the artist on our trip back! Thanks James! Highly recommended.
Great day out!
Cheryl M,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Milford sound cruise was amazing! Amazing views. Staff were informative. Long day with the bus trip, with multiple stops along the way to take in the scenery.
Milford Sound cruise and bus trip
Moxo64,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our day was awesome. Our guide Sinchan was great fun. Full of information. He gave us great opportunities for photos, and created an atmosphere that bonded the group of 14 people who had never met each other into a tight group. Highly recommend this tour.
-10% off
From NZ$341.10Was NZ$379.00
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Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience