Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

Overview

Available languages

English

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.

Admission Not Applicable

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.

Admission Not Applicable

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

4.90

2,311 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

2132

143

Put this trip on your bucket list...
489antonia,
Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A 13-hour long day trip sounded a bit daunting, but from pick up early in the morning, until drop off that night, James kept our small group entertained, stopping enroute for short breaks... usually with breath-taking views included, he was engaging and knowledgeable. The smaller vessel we boarded at Milford Sound meant a close encounter with wildlife and waterfall. A picnic style lunch was provided, and it was excellent. The weather was wet and windy, but this just added to the atmosphere of this truly remarkable wild place. I highly recommend this tour.
Brilliant tour, incredible experience
Cornishgirl1978,
Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My experience with Altitude was really positive, not least because they saved me when another tour company that I had booked with let me down at last minute. So I was almost about to not go on a bucket list trip after being stranded, but Altitude, and specially Nev, saved the day. I’m so pleased that I ended up going with Altitude because it really felt like a superior experience. Thanks especially goes to Nev for being such a friendly, relaxed and approachable tour leader. The journey there and back is a long one, but he helped make it a really enjoyable trip. The boat trip itself is phenomenal and a must see experience. But I also enjoyed the little stop offs we did with Nev as we went deeper into the Fjordlands. Words can’t express how majestic they are, just go see for yourself!
Majestic Tour of Milford Sound
603faithr,
Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Glorious scenery, luxurious bus, plenty of information, and the cruise was lovely. Carol did an amazing job as our guide, and it was her first solo trek too! The music was fabulous, and we sang most of the way back to Queenstown with our fellow passengers! Carol learned we loved Lord of the Rings, and she played some of the soundtrack for us as we entered into the valley of the Fiordlands National Park on our way to the cruise . It was majestic! We even saw a kea, dolphins, and seals! What a joy!
Unmatched beauty, comfortable transportation, outstanding guide.
timothymW7302RL,
Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Awesome experience that exceeded expectations. Considered driving ourselves, but so glad we opted for the tour. The unmatched beauty of the region is a once in a lifetime experience. (Or more if you're lucky!) But what really made the day remarkable was our stellar guide Nev. Kind, knowledgeable, and with a great sense of humor, Nev made the day unforgettable. Thanks, Nev! And thanks, Altitude!
Small group is the way to go
mdvvv,
Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Chelsea was a great guide. She gave us so much insight into the flora, the history, and the landscapes. She is also an amazing driver! I came on this tour hungover from my wine tour the day before, and I never felt sick even when we were driving thru the windy roads. Ride was super comfy and was able to squeeze in some naps in between enjoying the incredible views throughout the way. I really enjoyed being in a small group as the cruise had enough space for everyone to enjoy without feeling crowded. Weather was perfect and many in the group had the opportunity to fly back to Queenstown.
Fantastic day out
A1757MRpeters,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a great day out with altitude tours, we were very fortunate to have Stewart as our guide. He told us all about the mountains and facts about NZ which was very fascinating. Would highly recommend to anyone
Milford Sound
Steve T,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Stuart our guide was amazing, coach had great visibility and was the smaller group was perfect, highly recommend! they went above and beyond!
Day out in southern part of South Island
charlottehQ8880LQ,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great trip to Milford Sound . The Dutch group leader,Stuart, was excellent, full of stories and kiwi information. He created a great camaraderie among the group and was fun. Milford Sound was magical. The national park and rainforests on the drive were spectacular. Good day out.
Excellent experience
Connor W,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Was a wonderful day. The tour guide was great; he looked after us as well as being very knowledgably and welcoming. Would recommend it to anyone.
A must do trip in Queenstown
Marcella M,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Awesome experience. Comfortable coach, very knowledgeable guides and fantastic boat trip on Milford Sound. Spectacular scenery all the way. Definitely recommend.

From NZ$379.00