Milford Sound to Queenstown Scenic Flight: Waterfalls & Alps Views

Summary

One-Way Scenic Flight Over Fiordland and Southern Alps

You’ll swap winding roads for sky-high views on this flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. See waterfalls, alpine lakes, and mountain peaks—all in just 35 minutes with live commentary and easy transfers.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we boarded the small plane was the cool, damp air—typical for Milford Sound, even in summer. Our pilot, Pete, gave us a quick rundown on what to expect (he’s flown this route hundreds of times), then we buckled in for the 35-minute hop back to Queenstown. The propellers hummed louder than I expected as we lifted off, and right away you could see the fiord stretching out below, all misty and green. Mitre Peak shot up almost straight from the water—honestly, it’s hard to believe it’s over a mile high until you see it from above. Pete pointed out Bowen Falls too; after a rainy night, there were dozens of smaller waterfalls tumbling down every cliff face.

We banked south over the Arthur Valley, catching a glimpse of Sutherland Falls dropping in three long steps—Pete said it’s New Zealand’s tallest at nearly 600 meters. The clouds broke as we crossed the Southern Alps; suddenly everything was white-capped and wild-looking. Lake Te Anau stretched out far below us, almost hidden by morning fog. Somewhere over the Greenstone Valley, I caught the scent of coffee from someone’s thermos (should’ve brought my own). Then came Lake Wakatipu—a deep blue ribbon twisting toward Queenstown. You get a real sense of how remote this part of New Zealand is when you’re up here. Before landing, we flew past Walter Peak Station (sheep looked like dots) and got a last look at The Remarkables before touching down at the airport. A driver was waiting for us—no fuss, just straight to our hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Scenic Flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown

• Meet pilot and board flight
• Fly over Milford Sound
• View Mitre Peak
• See Bowen Falls
• Fly past Sutherland Falls
• View Lake Te Anau
• Fly over Southern Alps
• Fly through Greenstone and Caples valleys
• Fly over Lake Wakatipu
• View Walter Peak station
• View Remarkables and land at Queenstown airport

Top questions

What happens if the weather is bad on flight day?

If flying isn’t safe due to weather, you’ll get a full refund or can reschedule for another day. It’s smart to have backup land transport just in case.

Can infants or kids come along?

Yes! Infants under 1 ride on an adult’s lap with a special belt. Kids are welcome but must be with an adult.

Is this flight wheelchair accessible?

Absolutely—the planes and transfers are set up for wheelchair users. Just let us know your needs ahead of time.

Should I bring anything special?

A jacket is handy—it can get chilly up there—and don’t forget your camera for those views!

What’s included

Your flight includes a pre-flight briefing with your pilot, live onboard commentary about what you’re seeing, plus drop-off at your central Queenstown hotel or airport transfer spot.