Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise
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
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
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
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
2,420 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We had a wonderful time!...
Jacy M,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful time! It was so relaxing to let someone else drive and we really enjoyed the fact that this is a small group tour with lots of scenic stops. Do was an excellent tour guide who provided a lot of information and entertainment. The included WiFi was also appreciated. Would book with them again for sure.
An excellent all-day trip including a 2-hour cruise
Julie M,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an excellent all-day trip with a highly professional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic guide - Malav. Not only does he have great people skills, but explanations on the flora and fauna were interesting and in-depth. He's also a safe, confident driver. The two-hour cruise was interesting and we were able to get up close to seals and dolphins.
Great experience and trip
Peter L,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was well organised and Katy the driver and tour host was great very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Highly recommended
Milford Sound Spectacular!
Adventure00145745810,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this! It was a sensational experience. Our tour guide Malav was brilliant. He had so much knowledge and passion about each place we drove through. The cruise around Milford Sound was spectacular. You can’t miss this experience!
Day trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown
835marybethb,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Altitude did an excellent job in this tour right from picking us all up, and then bringing us home. Will provided a good commentary on the area, and was always happy, respectful, and helpful to all. It is a long ride but worth the experience to see the 8th wonder of the world.
Visit Milford sound
teedee76,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The small bus was a better idea - smaller group and lots of stops for food and toilet breaks . Mary was a great driver and told so many stories of the area. The cruise was fabulous and saw much wildlife.
A sunny, memorable day in Milford Sound
Riley S,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing day visiting Milford sound! We were blessed with a rare sunny day and our guide made extra stops for us to admire the beauty! At the end they also offer for you to fly back via Venice flight if weather permits, DO IT. Absolute highlight of the experience and trip!
Great Milford Sound day out
MaggieRafalowicz,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We were blessed with fantastic weather and a great guide, Will who as a local was able to give us lots of interesting information on our way to Milford Sound. The journey was broken with scenic stops along the way. The cruise itself was gorgeous and I especially enjoyed the glacial shower under the waterfall. The journey back was over four hours with only one stop and as we were sitting at the back very bumpy. We would still recommend this - so beautiful
Unforgettable Views!
Jack B,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Overall, the trip is a long day, but very well worth the effort! Although the van used in the trip is not the one pictured (no skylight), it was still a pleasant ride. Although it doesn’t explicitly say the van would have one, I can’t say that I’m happy being somewhat misled. Despite the one cosmetic hiccup, the van was still decently comfortable with satisfactory legroom and onboard amenities such as decent Wi-Fi. Pick up was on schedule and straightforward, and Ami was full of information about New Zealand’s natural world, as well as being able to converse for almost 12 hours straight! Milford Sound and the Fiordlands National Park is a must see item when visiting the Queenstown area. The experiences, views and roads are nothing short of breathtaking. The next time I’m in New Zealand, I’ll gladly go on another tour, no questions asked!
Best small group tour experience to Milford Sound!
Road38114577404,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Thomas, was a pro and gave us an awesome day. We had a smaller group and he immediately made us feel like we were all friends once we hit the road. Thomas had great stories and info to share, and got us to all the best stops and onto our cruise right on time. I opted to take the plane back and would 100% recommend if you can swing it - a perfect way to get a different vantage point of the breathtaking landscape! I traveled solo on this trip and felt totally comfortable.
From NZ$379.00
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Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience