Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch
Description
Embark on an intimate small-group adventure from Queenstown to Milford Sound—one of Aotearoa’s most iconic natural wonders. This fully guided day trip is more than just a destination; it’s an experience crafted with care, comfort, and connection in mind. Travel in our premium Sprinter, designed for a relaxed pace and optimal viewing, with plenty of time to stop, explore, and soak up the landscape. From majestic alpine valleys to cascading waterfalls and native wildlife encounters, every moment of the journey is part of the magic.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We travel alongside the stunning shores of Lake Wakatipu, winding our way through dramatic alpine landscapes. Your guide will share fascinating insights about the adventure ahead and point out some hidden gems to look forward to.
As we cross into Southland, take in the wide-open spaces and lush farmland. Your guide will provide insight into the local farming lifestyle and how this region plays a key role in New Zealand’s agriculture.
We arrive in Te Anau, often called the gateway to Fiordland National Park, where we take a short break to enjoy a coffee and stretch our legs. Refreshed, we continue our journey towards the breathtaking Milford Sound. As we pass Te Anau Downs, you’ll have views across the lake to the starting point of the legendary Milford Track. Your guide will bring the trail’s history to life, sharing stories of its early explorers and its place among the world’s great walks.
We officially enter Fiordland National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the landscape instantly changes. Dense rainforest, moss-covered beech trees, and towering peaks welcome us into this remote wilderness.
Stop and step out into the wide-open expanse of Eglinton Valley. This impressive glacial valley, with its flat floor and mountainous walls, makes for an unforgettable photo opportunity.
Take a short stroll to see the perfectly still Mirror Lakes, famous for their glass-like reflections of the Earl Mountains. On a clear day, it’s a photographer’s dream.
Not far along the road, we follow the course of the Hollyford River, its clear waters tumbling over massive boulders and racing through rapids. At Falls Creek, we’re treated to the first of many spectacular waterfalls in the region.
Journey through the iconic Homer Tunnel, carved by hand through solid rock. Learn the fascinating history of this feat of engineering as we prepare to descend into the dramatic Cleddau Valley. Emerging from the tunnel, the road winds through a steep glacial valley. On rainy days, the cliffs come alive with hundreds of cascading waterfalls—a magical and unforgettable sight.
Arrive at Milford Sound and board your boutique nature cruise with Cruise Milford, TripAdvisor’s top-rated operator. Enjoy a 1 hour 45 minute cruise with fewer passengers and an onboard nature guide. You’ll get up close to waterfalls, towering cliffs, Mitre Peak, and wildlife such as seals and potentially dolphins or penguins.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please provide us with your dietary requirements and please specify Chicken or Vegetarian for lunch option.
Reviews(135)
I had a really good day out to Milford sounds. Tom was helpful and showed us lots of views along the drive there as well as history. The boat cruise was also very good looking at stunning views and i would do even in the rain as the waterfalls will be more dramatic. The boat cruise is good value for money to see what’s said to be the 8th wonder of the world!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! We're really glad you had a great day in Milford Sound and enjoyed the views along the way. We'll pass your kind words on to Tom 😊
I really enjoyed my tour to Milford Sound with Wild Kiwi. This is something I have had on my list for a few years and I am glad I got to go as part of my Wild Kiwi tour. My guide Tom was very informative. He has a lot of knowledge about NZ in general. We had plenty of scenic photo stops along the way and he had some good tips when it came to the best viewing points on the boat tour. The whole day was faultless. Thanks Tom 👍
Thank you for your review Sarah :) We're glad to hear you had an amazing time with us!
Overall, this was a really, REALLY, long day for all involved, especially Tom (the host and driver). We set off just after 7am and returned around 12-13 hours later, traversing some really scenic parts of New Zealand. It cost around $145 NZ for boat journey itself which seemed to be about the same across the board with a further allotment for transport to, and from, the port, which was covered by being a part of a tour that Wild Kiwi were undertaking. We briefly stopped en route to collect food for the day, however food was made available on the boat itself in a buffet type setup and a cafe/shop was also available to purchase food and souvenirs. Tom displayed an enthusiasm for the local wildlife and shared anecdotes of his time in the country amongst the group, with several of the stops being to observe really scenic areas of the New Zealand countryside.
Thanks for sharing your experience 😊 It certainly makes for a big day, but we're glad you enjoyed the stunning scenery along the way and all the little stops that helped break up the journey.
What a wonderful day. The weather was atrocious with the rain coming down sideways. However, with the rain came the waterfalls which were absolutely stunning. Our tour director for the day was Mairi and she was delightful. She had extensive knowledge of all areas we passed through, told some extraordinary tales of folklore and drove safely throughout the day. Milford Sound was choppy and rough but there's nothing we can do about the weather. All in all a fabulous day and well worth doing.
It was an amazing day trip to Milford Sound. Ben was our tour guide and I knew I would love this guy the moment he greeted us back at the pick up point! He was very insightful and helpful, never reluctant to point out the best cafe or coffee shop to grab a quick drink or spots to take photos
Stoked you had such a good time and got some great local recommendations along the way too :) We appreciate the review!
Would highly recommend this day trip! Out tour guide, Ben, was very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us a fantastic time. The bus was comfortable and we stopped along at lots of beautiful spots. Milford Sound was incredible - a real pinch me moment.
So good to hear 🙌 Milford really is a pinch-me kind of place! Stoked you had such a great day with us.
Had an amazing and beautiful day to Milford Sound with Ben and Wild Kiwi!!
Thank you for your review :) We're happy you had a great day out in Milford with us!
I had a great time! Ben is a really great tour guide😊
Thank you :) We appreciate the lovely feedback.
Such a beautiful trip, and guide Ben was so knowledgeable!
Thank you for your review :) We are glad to hear you had a good time.
Milford sounds trip was a wonderful experience, the bus was comfortable and the tour guid Ben was able to accommodate the trip to make the long drive fun and exciting.
So good to hear 🙌 Glad the journey felt fun along the way :)
