Milford Sound tour from Queenstown: Cruise, flight & scenic drive
Drive through Fiordland's valleys, then cruise Milford Sound and fly back over the peaks
A 9-hour small group tour from Queenstown combines a minibus drive through Fiordland National Park, a boutique cruise on Milford Sound, and a scenic flight back to Queenstown. The route passes Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes and Homer Tunnel, with stops for photos and short walks. Your guide shares stories and background about the landscape. The smaller cruise boat means closer views of fur seals, waterfalls and Mitre Peak. Picnic lunch is included. The scenic flight is subject to weather and may be replaced by minibus return with a partial refund.
Step-by-step itinerary
Milford Sound tour with cruise and flight
- Depart from Queenstown
- Drive around Lake Wakatipu
- Pass through Devil’s Staircase
- Stop in Te Anau for break
- Visit Te Anau Downs viewpoint
- Stop at Eglinton Valley
- Walk at Mirror Lakes
- Stop at Lake Gunn
- Pass Hollyford River and waterfalls
- Stop for photos in Darran Mountains
- Drive through Homer Tunnel
- Arrive at Milford Sound
- Board Milford Sound cruise
- View Mitre Peak from boat
- Scenic flight back to Queenstown
- Lake Wakatipu passing by
- Lake Te Anau 20m
- Eglinton Valley Entry included 10m
- Mirror Lakes Walk Entry included 10m
- Lake Gunn 10m
- Homer Tunnel passing by
- Milford Sound Entry included 2h
- Mitre Peak 10m
What’s included
- Small group minibus tour from Queenstown with a live guide in English.
- stops at Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn and Homer Tunnel.
- boutique Milford Sound cruise on a smaller boat.
- scenic flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown.
- picnic lunch and snacks.
- water.
- air-conditioned vehicle.
- hotel pickup in Queenstown.
Times
- Every day 06:30 07:00
Before you book
Operated by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts in Queenstown and winds around Lake Wakatipu past The Remarkables mountain range, then climbs through Devil's Staircase to Te Anau, where you stop near Lake Te Anau and hear stories about the Milford Track. From there the minibus enters Fiordland National Park and follows the Milford Road deeper into the mountains: stops at Eglinton Valley (a glacier-carved landscape), Mirror Lakes (where you walk to see reflections of the Earl Mountains), and Lake Gunn give you time to photograph and absorb the scale of the terrain. Your guide points out the Hollyford River and watches for Kea, the large alpine parrots that live in this altitude.
The Homer Tunnel is a hand-built passage carved through the Darran Mountains. Emerging from it, the valley drops steeply toward the sea and on rainy days hundreds of waterfalls pour down the mountainside. At Milford Sound you board a smaller boutique cruise (Cruise Milford, the top-rated operator here), which means fewer passengers and closer access to fur seals on the rocks, the massive rock faces, and the waterfalls. Mitre Peak, the iconic triangular summit, rises above the reflective water. After the cruise you take a scenic flight back to Queenstown with a pilot who points out hidden lakes and waterfalls and explains the history of the areas below. The flight is always confirmed with the airline before departure and may be cancelled due to weather. If that happens, you return by minibus and receive a partial refund.
Water and snacks are provided during the drive. Picnic lunch is included (note any dietary requirements when you book). The air-conditioned minibus is modern and comfortable. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for mountain conditions. Flights have a weight limit of 140 kg per person. The day involves uneven surfaces and is not suitable for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a full day in Fiordland with a guide who knows the landscape and can stop for wildlife and photos, rather than driving yourself. The small group size and the minibus mean you travel with fewer people and have time to absorb each stop. The boutique cruise boat keeps you closer to the wildlife and away from the larger tour crowds. The scenic flight is the return journey, so you see the terrain from both the road and the air.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Milford Road like on the drive from Queenstown?
The Milford Road climbs through Fiordland National Park and passes through several distinct landscapes: Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables at the start, then Eglinton Valley (a glacier-carved terrain), Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, the Hollyford River with its waterfalls, and finally the Homer Tunnel, a hand-built passage through the Darran Mountains. The road gains altitude as it goes deeper into the park and descends sharply toward the sea near Milford Sound.
How close do you get to wildlife on the Milford Sound cruise?
The Milford Sound cruise uses a smaller boutique boat, which means fewer passengers and closer views of the wildlife and landscape. You see New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, massive rock faces rising hundreds of metres from the water, and waterfalls cascading from the rainforest high in the mountains. Mitre Peak, the iconic triangular mountain, rises above the reflective water.
What happens if the scenic flight is cancelled due to weather?
The return scenic flight may be cancelled due to weather conditions. If that happens, your return transport to Queenstown is by minibus instead, and you receive a partial refund of the tour price. Flights are always confirmed with the airline before departure.
Is lunch included in the tour price?
Yes, a picnic lunch is included. You should note any dietary requirements when you book so the operator can prepare accordingly. Water and snacks are also provided during the drive.
How long is the full tour from Queenstown?
The tour is 9 hours total, including the minibus drive, stops at scenic points, the Milford Sound cruise, and the scenic flight back to Queenstown.
What is the group size on this tour?
This is a small group tour run in a modern, comfortable minibus. The operator emphasizes small groups as one of the things that set their tours apart, along with the guide's knowledge and the journey itself.
Milford Sound tour from Queenstown: Cruise, flight & scenic drive
9h · EN
from NZ$ 914 per person
≈ US$ 525 in your currency
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