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. This is a small group tour for travellers seeking an all-inclusive, uniquely-kiwi, personalised trip to Milford Sound.

We keep things personal using our fleet of modern Mercedes vans. Enjoy your journey with only 15 people, in a vehicle with premium features such as leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi and Spotify.

Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with in-depth knowledge of the area, as we travel from Queenstown through Te Anau and into the Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Road. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as our guide's favourite off-the-beaten-track spots.

Enjoy a 2-hour small uncrowded cruise while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer! You can also add on a picnic lunch to enjoy onboard.

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 2 hour cruise on the fjord, allow approximately 13 hours door to door.

There is an option to include a packed picnic lunch. The default choice is 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

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

Additional Snacks

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.

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

6am Glass Roof Upgrade & Lunch

Packed Picnic Lunch : This option includes a packed picnic lunch box. The default selection is chicken, with options to change to vege.
Glass Roof Vehicle : This option connects to our 6:00am departure which offers a guaranteed glass-roof top van.
Pickup included

7.30am Inc. Picnic Lunch

Packed Picnic Lunch: This has a Chicken sandwich. If you would like Beef or Vegetarian, please note in special requirements, or let our team know.
Pickup included

6.30 Glass Roof Upgrade

Glass Roof Mercedes Sprinter: This option connects to our 6:30am departure which offers a guaranteed glass-roof top van.
Pickup included

6.30 Glass Roof Van & Lunch

Includes Packed Picnic Lunch: This option includes a packed picnic lunch box. The default selection is chicken, with options to change to vege.
Glass Roof Van: This option connects to our 6:30am departure which offers a guaranteed glass-roof top van.
Pickup included

7.30am Excluding Lunch

Pickup included

Reviews

4.90

2,167 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1997

138

Highly Recommend!
Kendyle Z,
Jul 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00
I had an incredible experience. Tommy, our tour, guide was so great and knowledgeable which made the trip even better. All the stops we made were breathtaking and he even made an extra stop to find a Kea bird which we ended up finding. We also saw dolphins and a sea lion which was super cool. It was a long day but is so worth it when you get to see so much beauty in New Zealand.
Unforgettable Day
Lyle B,
Jul 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This is a “must do” if you have not been to Milford Sound. And this is the best way to do it and best company to do it with. This small group experience is way better than a large bus for a few reasons but mainly because we were able to stop more frequently and at places a large bus could not stop at. The stop at Mirror Lakes was one of the best photo opportunities we have had in New Zealand. And our small group could stop, unload, take pics and reload in 1/4 the time a bus could. Sk we got more stops and still got there quicker than a large bus would have.. The trip on the boat on Milford Sound was spectacular. Besides the cliffs, mountains and waterfalls we were lucky to see two pods of dolphins up close and a couple seals on the rocks. In the spirit of full disclosure, so people know what they are signing up for, be aware that it is a long day. With pick-ups, photo stops, bathroom breaks and a stop for coffee it is almost 5 hrs from Queenstown to Milford Sound. But the photo stops (and for me coffee break LOL) were an essential part of the whole experience. I wouldn’t want to skip them and shorten the trip. But there is only one road in and one road out and it is what it is. If you want to go to Milford Sound, it’s a long trek and it is the same no matter what tour provider you chose unless you do a charter flight at 6 times the cost. The trip back is quicker since you don’t repeat the photo stops. But it was still just over 12 hours round trip for us because we were the first stop on and last stop off the van. So in summary….would I do it again now that I have been to the photo stops and ridden the Milford Sound cruise? No, I would not. But I am totally glad we did it and if you have never done it I think you need to and suggest you should. And this is the company to do it with. Finally, Tommy our driver was great. He was knowledgeable, helpful, entertaining and a safe driver. He helped people with planning their remaining days in Queenstown even if if was just hikes without a tour company. What more could you ask for. The trip was 5* but if I could I would give Tommy 6* I would Pack snacks, get a good nights rest the night before, make sure your batteries are charged and do this tour
Great tour and even better tour guide
Jeannette D,
Jul 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Ashleigh was amazing with her knowledge of almost every detail along the way ... From facts to folklore. Great sense of humor to lighten up the trip and very organized. The boat experience was amazing too 😉
Beautiful all day tour...
Stacey S,
Jul 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Beautiful all day tour with great stops along the way, and fantastic guide with very informative narrative along the way!
This trip was beautiful...
Samantha P,
Jun 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This trip was beautiful even on a pretty rainy day! The rain made the waterfalls even more present and flowing. Andy was a great guide and was extremely accommodating. It is quite a long day in a van as Milford sound is pretty far out there so keep that in mind but there were lots of stops for photos along the way.