Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise
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. Thisglobally award winning small group tour is for travellers seeking an all-inclusive, uniquely-kiwi, personalised trip from Queentown to Milford Sound and back.
Our fleet of modern Mercedes vans are fiited with leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi and Spotify. Enjoy a small-group journey with 15 people maximum for ultimate comfort and undivded 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 2-hour boutique uncrowded cruise and picnic lunch while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer!
Additional Info
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
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 2 hour cruise on the fjord, 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 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‘s Included
Packed picnic lunch is included
WiFi on board
Convenient pick up and drop off locations around Queenstown
Knowledgable and friendly local driver/guides
2-Hour nature cruise on Milford Sound
Off-the-beaten track scenic photo stops en route
Tea & coffee available on the 2 hour nature cruise
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.
Meeting and Pickup
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
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.
Options
6.30am Glass Roof Van & Lunch
Cruise : This tour includes a 2 hour nature cruise on Milford Sound
Picnic Lunch: This tour includes a packed picnic lunch
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 two hour 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
Lunch: A packed picnic lunch is included on this tour
Standard Van: Our 7.30am departure is conducted in out standard premium Merceds touring vans
Pickup included
Reviews
2,291 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Milford Sound and Stuart are the Best!
routetrails,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent trip with Stuart who led with great humour and told us alot about the history and geography of the area. The Sound was a fjord to remember for the ages. Definitely a wonderful day tour!
Milford sound with Jono
FarAway47202,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Took the tour today with Jono. He is an amazing guide, 12 hours flew by with his lively commentary! Wonderful experience!
Great Tour, made better by Jono
rajeshd967,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was great, with guide Jono, who was not only a great guide overall, but also made the long journey back and forth entertaining.
A remarkable day!
L7233ZNnatalieh,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We very much enjoyed this experience - the vistas along the way to Milford Sound were gorgeous and Ashleigh was fabulous guide and driver! We learned so much about New Zealand and the land and its people as we travelled to our boat. Because it was raining for some of the trip, the waterfalls were plentiful and so beautiful - allowing us to see many more “tears”. On the way back, we listened to a great play list and relaxed/slept. It was a wonderful day (but a long one!).
Incredible tour of a magical place!
Connector34043113503,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an awesome experience visiting the Milford Sound with an Altitude Tours group! Our tour guide Amy did an amazing job managing our trip, balancing needs, hitting the scenic highlights, and arriving on the cruise on time. Loved the introductions at the beginning of the trip, which seems to be an Altitude Tours standard. With the drive, it is an all day trip (12+ hours). Our original plan was to fly back, which shortens the trip by several hours. However, the weather grounded all flights. Plan for rain since the chances are, it will, so bring rain gear. The rain makes the scenery absolutely beautiful though! Highly recommend this tour to anyone considering it!
Truly amazing. Glad to experience such incredible scenery and wildlife.
J3960EZjenniec,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The most amazing day, absolutely bowled over by the scenery and the whole experience. Great tour guide/driver who told us do much about NZ. Much appreciated. Travelling solo but I felt part of the group. Highly recommend.
10/10 experience + tour guide Nev was awesome!
zalib2017,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great experience, Nev made this tour even better! Would highly recommend to anyone who is thinking of doing a small tour Milford sound! Amazing scenery.
Beautiful day on the Milford Sound
susan A,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a delightful experience! The small group tour is definitely the way to go. James, our guide, did a great job of showing us highlights along the way and making the drive more fun. Once we were at the dock, we were given tickets for one of the smaller catamaran style boats. The smaller boat was able to get closer to shore and the waterfalls. Our captain pointed out seals and even a crested penguin! I highly recommend Altitude tours!
Milford Sound
Angela G,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thomas was an incredible guide! Beautiful scenery and wonderful stops! Lots of fun! The Milford Sound is gorgeous! Definitely a must do item!
Brilliant small group tour to Milford Sound!
Go27936556322,
Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant day tour to Milford Sound. Thanks to James our guide and driver. James was funny, personable, and provided loads of useful information on the way to and back to Milford Sound. The scenery even before Milford Sound is incredible. The Merc van was super comfortable for the day trip and the smaller group was really great. Highly recommend Altitude Tours. 10/10. Thanks James!
From NZ$379.00
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Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience