Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

4.9 (3,749 reviews) 13 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

3,749 reviews

4.9

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better way to see this most famous of attractions!

Highlights:

Milford Sound Cruise
Fiordland National Park
Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel & Mitre Peak
Wildlife Spotting

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and little details that set our tours apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles and other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Our tours are led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing stories and background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses that are packed with extras, ensuring your comfort and safety.

Day Cruises Day Trips Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Lunch Cruises Walking Tours

At a glance

Duration: 13 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Water available & snacks provided
Included: Safety/booster seat for children aged 7 & younger (please advise if you prefer to provide your own)
Included: Picnic Lunch - please note dietary requirements per person at time of booking
Included: Small Group & Fully Guided Tour from Queenstown & Return
Included: Complimentary Hotel Pickup & Drop Off (Select Locations Only)
Included: Boutique Milford Sound Cruise

Not included

Not included: Picnic lunch for infants (0 - 3)
Not included: Optional extras and activities - please select the tour option you want at time of booking
Not included: On-board restrooms: Restroom on board

Itinerary

Queenstown

Passing by

Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
Lake Wakatipu

Passing by

Departing Queenstown we wind our way around Lake Wakatipu, with amazing views of ‘The Remarkables’ Mountain Range and the lake.
Devil's Staircase Lookout Point

Passing by

Continuing around the lake we will pass through Devil’s Staircase. This elevated windy part of the road is famous for dramatic photos and setting the scene for the day to come.
Lake Te Anau

20 min

After more amazing mountain, river and farmland views we arrive in Te Anau, home to Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second largest lake. While in this idyllic town we will stop for a break and maybe meet some of the local animals or wildlife. Continuing along the lake we stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, to hear the stories and admire the views.
Eglinton Valley

10 min Admission included

Leaving Te Anau and entering Fiordland National Park we stop in Eglinton Valley. With views worthy of Lord of the Rings, this valley follows the path of an ancient glacier through Fiordland. One of the first major attractions as you enter the park, it really sets the scene for a journey that only get more impressive the deeper you get.
Mirror Lakes Walk

10 min Admission included

Our next stop on this epic adventure is Mirror Lakes for a short stroll to see the famous reflections of the Earl Mountains. Get the right day, take a good picture and no one with be able to tell which way is the right way up for the photo.
Lake Gunn

5 min

Continuing along the Milford Road we come across Lake Gunn. Named after a famous explorer and popular for fishing, often we will stop at Lake Gunn for some photos and to enjoy the peace.
Stop 8

Passing by

A short drive away we start passing the Hollyford River a gorgeous and powerful river full of large boulders and rapids. Feeding into the river at Falls Creek is the first of our extremely impressive waterfalls of the area, one of many to come.
Stop 9

10 min

Climbing in altitude we go deeper into the Darran Mountains and these views require another stop to admire and take photos. We are also entering the area where Kea (the world’s largest alpine parrot) like to live. Start keeping an eye out for these large, cheeky and colourful birds that never fail to thrill and entertain when found.
Homer Tunnel

Passing by

To make our way back down towards the sea we enter the mind-blowing hand-built Homer Tunnel, hearing the incredible history and stories. Emerging from the tunnel the valley descends sharply towards Milford Sound and on a rainy-day hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the mountain side.
Milford Sound

2 hours Admission included

Following the valleys to the sea we arrive at Milford Sound where you will board your cruise with Cruise Milford (the No. 1 Cruise operator in Milford Sound on TripAdvisor).
Mitre Peak

Passing by

While on the boat cruise you will be able to marvel at the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak, the iconic Milford Sound mountain, with its steep triangular peak rising high up above the reflective waters of the Milford Sound.
Pops View Look Out

10 min

Next we pull over to admire the elevated amazing views of the divide in the Southern Alps, close to the start of the Routeburn Track. While here the guide will tell you the stories of ancient Maori explorers.
Queenstown

Passing by

Sadly we must start to head back to Queenstown but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip and many stops and breaks along the way.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

PICKUP TIMES:

6:30am for our 6:30am departure

7:00am for our 7:00am departure

End point

PICKUP TIMES:

6:30am for our 6:30am departure

7:00am for our 7:00am departure

Pickup points

Tahuna Pod Hostel
Aspen Lodge Backpackers
Lylo Queenstown
The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments and Lakeside Residences
voco Queenstown by IHG
Copthorne Hotel And Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Wyndham Garden Remarkables Park Queenstown
Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery Collection
Sherwood Queenstown
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa

and 16 more pickup points

*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point (The Station - Home of Adventure). You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there.

*Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minutes prior to your specific pickup time.

*Pick-up locations are carefully planned for each tour and may vary by day. If your pick-up location changes, kindly inform us in advance.

*Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. We are unable to wait for late guests.

Using your ticket

*You will receive an email with important pickup information in the days prior, please read this information.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Flights are always 'On Request' until confirmed with our partner airline
Scenic flights cannot be confirmed without full names and weights of all travellers. Scenic flight weight restrictions are 130 KG
If our regular flight operator is unavailable, we may be able to arrange an alternative operator; however, this could be at an additional cost
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Please advise any dietary requirements per person at time of booking

Options

Bus - Cruise - Fly

Cruise & Return Flight: Full bus tour + cruise at Milford Sound, then return to Queenstown via a scenic flight with 1 of our airline partners

Duration: 13 hours

Picnic Lunch

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van

Pickup included
Bus - Cruise - Bus

Milford Sound Cruise

Duration: 13 hours

Picnic Lunch

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van

Pickup included