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.
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.
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
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
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,599 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Milford Sound experience
paultD2237DO,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour was great and the driver/guide Katy was really friendly, helpful and knowing which made the experience better
Stunning
rosd756308,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The day was long but unforgettable. James, our host, was amazing. James commentary throughout the tour was entertaining and he had great knowledge. Milford Sounds was stunning but the trip there was also beautiful.
Memorable trip
Traveler62919235186,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Simply the best day out and our guide Katy was very knowledgeable and made the trip memorable
Milford Sound Experience
Megeegan12,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a full day with Altitude Tours. We throughly enjoyed our experience from start to finish. The price was reasonable given a whole day from sun up to sun down. We had Katy driving us and she was full of fun facts about places on our drive, made sure we knew time frames at stops and was there to collect us when we got off the bus. Katy really ensured the music was on par with the scenery and ensured we were comfortable at all times. I would suggest others book the Milford Sound Experience day tour with Altitude Tours.
10/10 recommend!
Meaghan Y,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely loved our small group tour. Our tour guide Milo was so friendly and taught us so much about the history of New Zealand and Milford Sound. The boat cruise was one of the most memorable experiences, inclusive of dolphin and seal sightings! Being on a smaller boat with less than 40 people, made for a much better experiece. Overall, a very wholesome day and worth every cent.
Exceptional experience
Orlando O,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This excursion is amazing. The landscape is extraordinary. The guide extremely experienced, communicative and entertaining. We loved all her topics, music, recommendations, stories. The cruise over Milford Sounds was really amazing. The photography spots or stops spots were perfect. We really enjoyed our trip.
The best of New Zealand
184patriciol,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent, a grand tour where we see the best of NZ, Amy is a great guide who helped us a lot.
Great experience
michaeldE69VY,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Chase was our tour guide who was very knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend this tour
Katie was an excellent tour guide, and trusted driver. She was professional yet friendly. Milford Sound was beautiful.
Go15755687840,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Katie was an excellent driver and tour guide.She got us to many epic spots along the way. We even got to see a Kea bird. She explained deer farming, which is a crazy concept to this native Ohio girl.
let someone else drive
Ron B,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The small van to the sound is the key to going, the smaller boat also a plus. Do , pronounced dough, made it better . A woman driver better than average !!
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