Te Anau to Queenstown via Milford Sound: Cruise & Lunch

Mitre Peak rises straight from the water on your Milford Sound cruise.

A full-day guided tour from Te Anau to Queenstown through Fiordland National Park, featuring a boutique cruise on Milford Sound with wildlife viewing and a picnic lunch. The route crosses Mirror Lakes, the Homer Tunnel, and Lake Wakatipu, with photo stops throughout and hotel pickup in Te Anau plus drop-off in central Queenstown.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mirror Lakes Walk15m
2. Lake Gunn10m
3. Homer Tunnelpass by
4. Lake Wakatipupass by

Te Anau to Queenstown via Milford Sound

• Pickup in Te Anau
• Explore Te Anau and spot wildlife
• Visit Te Anau Downs and hear stories
• Stop at Eglinton Valley
• Walk to Mirror Lakes
• Photo stop at Lake Gunn
• Admire Falls Creek waterfall
• Pass through Homer Tunnel
• Milford Sound boutique cruise
• Picnic lunch at Milford Sound
• Stop at Pop's View for panoramas
• Short break in Te Anau
• Drive along Devils Staircase
• Photo stops at Lake Wakatipu
• Arrive in Queenstown

The experience

The day starts with a pickup in Te Anau in a Mercedes-Benz van, then heads into Fiordland National Park. You'll stop at Eglinton Valley to see glacier-carved landscapes, walk to Mirror Lakes where the Earl Mountains reflect in still water on calm days, and pause at Lake Gunn before the road follows the Hollyford River. The Homer Tunnel, hand-carved through the mountain, opens onto views of temporary waterfalls on rainy days and sheer cliff faces year-round.

At Milford Sound, you board a smaller boutique cruise that gets closer to fur seals, towering cliffs, and waterfalls than larger vessels. Mitre Peak (one of New Zealand's most photographed landmarks) rises dramatically from the water. After the cruise, the return journey includes Pop's View for panoramic Southern Alps vistas and ancient Māori stories from your guide, then a break back in Te Anau before the final leg to Queenstown.

The drive to Queenstown follows Lake Wakatipu, passing the winding Devils Staircase and The Remarkables mountain range with several photo stops built in. The whole journey runs approximately 10 hours, fully guided, and ends with drop-off in central Queenstown. A picnic lunch and refreshments are provided during the day. Let the operator know of any dietary needs when you book.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Te Anau and drop-off in central Queenstown.
• boutique Milford Sound cruise with guide commentary.
• picnic lunch with refreshments.
• photo stops at Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, Pop's View, and along Lake Wakatipu.
• safety or booster seat for children aged 7 and younger.
• luggage space of one large and one small bag per person.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Is this one for you?At 10 hours, this tour fills most of a day and works best if you're traveling between Te Anau and Queenstown anyway. If you want to spend time exploring Queenstown itself, plan a separate day for that, since the drive and cruise leave little daylight for other activities once you arrive.

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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 Mirror Lakes Walk like on this tour?

Mirror Lakes is a short walk where, on calm days, the reflections of the Earl Mountains in the still water look almost surreal. It's one of several photo stops built into the route through Fiordland.

Will I see wildlife on the Milford Sound cruise?

Yes. The boutique cruise gets close to fur seals, and you'll see towering cliffs and waterfalls. The smaller boat size allows a more intimate experience than larger vessels running the same route.

How much luggage can I bring?

You have space for one large bag and one small bag per person in the van, plus a safety or booster seat for children aged 7 and younger if needed.

Does the tour include a meal?

A picnic lunch is included during the day. Advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Infant lunch (ages 0–3) is available as an option at checkout.

Where does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup is included at select locations in Te Anau in the morning. The tour ends with drop-off in central Queenstown after the full 10-hour journey.