Small Group: Milford Sound Day 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
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
Options
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
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
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
2,491 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Milford Sound and Jono for the win 🥇
55conorm,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An unbelievable experience! Milford sound was absolutely incredible. We hit lucky with the weather as it rained HEAVY the night/morning before we arrived in Milford Sound then cleared for the boat trip! The waterfalls were out of this world and definitely worth the trip! Our guide Jono was absolutely amazing the whole way through! Endless fountain of information about NZ, the culture, the landscape and geography and also great craic (fun) the whole way to and from! We would do 100 tours with him if possible! Overall an amazing day and highly recommend!
If you’re being picked up...
Stephen W,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00If you’re being picked up in Te Anau, not Queenstown, make sure you have an accurate time. We waited around an extra 30 minutes.
This is a well run tour...
Aditya S,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00This is a well run tour through incredible landscapes and temperate rainforest to dramatic granite walls carved by retreating glaciers.
Highly recommended!
missmyvw,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful experience! Well organized and responsive to questions ahead of time. Small group made for quick stops at scenic points along the way, and our driver (Do) kept us engaged with information and stories during the drive over. The sound was incredible, and seating on the boat had inside/outside options, all with good views. We didn't know a return flight was a possibility, but our driver managed to get us on one, which added a lot to the experience.
A memory maker!
kwillava,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My experience was incredibly positive. It was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and will remain with me forever. Do was our guide and she was such a positive joyful person. But mostly she was incredibly knowledgeable and had a gift of telling a story. She made the lengthy ride to Milford seem like a fairytale journey with all her input and positive energy. I was quite impressed with the small size of the vehicle, which was a very comfortable ride through some rather windy roads. Much more intimate than large motor coaches. I chose a fixed wing return and the scenery was stunning. I will share all I learned with my friends and family and recommend Altitude tours for future travel.
Worthwhile Adventure
Maps558808,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing day, beautiful weather, stunning views and a wonderful guide. Andy!
A spectacular day out
Otis S,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent day trip out. I saw the most spectacular views and our driver Amy Rain was very informative and kept up a good vibe throughout the quite long day
Stunning Milford Sound
Janine T,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very long day of travel but the van was comfortable and it was worth it to visit this extraordinarily beautiful place. Our guide, Carol was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Great Tour
GlobeTrotting771781,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour with our driver Amy Rain. She was pleasant, a safe driver, and very knowledgeable. Boat tour was 2 hours and the procured lunch was delicious. Would recommend.
Huge thanks
Dag H,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Soooo, Viator totally screwwed up our booking and last minute the tour operator went out of their way to accommodate us. Totally saved our trip. Btw absolutely pay up for the flight back . Saved hours but really can not beat the experience
From NZ$379.00
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