Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 369 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight worth booking?
Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight is a 10-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $579 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 369 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (369)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $579 per person
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 is a small group tour for travellers seeking a uniquely-kiwi trip to Milford Sound. We keep things personal using our fleet of modern Mercedes vans. Enjoy your journey with no more than 16 people in a vehicle with premium features such as leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi & Spotify playlists. Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with their in-depth knowledge of the area. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as our guide's favourite off-the-beaten-track spots. Enjoy a 1-hour 45-minute small uncrowded cruise while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer! You can also add on a picnic lunch to enjoy. After your cruise, take in the views from above, on an incredible flight back to Queenstown over the Southern Alps.
What you get
About this experience
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 is a small group tour for travellers seeking a uniquely-kiwi trip to Milford Sound. We keep things personal using our fleet of modern Mercedes vans. Enjoy your journey with no more than 16 people in a vehicle with premium features such as leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi & Spotify playlists. Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with their in-depth knowledge of the area. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as our guide's favourite off-the-beaten-track spots. Enjoy a 1-hour 45-minute small uncrowded cruise while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer! You can also add on a picnic lunch to enjoy. After your cruise, take in the views from above, on an incredible flight back to Queenstown over the Southern Alps.
What's included
Included
- Small group tour helping you escape the crowds
- On-board WiFi
- Convenient pick up and drop off locations around Queenstown
- A breathtaking fixed-wing scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown
- Knowledgable and friendly local driver/guides
- Plenty of stops and photo opportunities
- Lunch
- 1-Hour 45-Minute nature cruise on Milford Sound
Not included
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
Lake Wakatipu
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 16 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.
Pass by without stopping
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.
30 minutes here
Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
From here, we welcome you to the Fiordland National Park and the renowned Milford Road. This corridor to the fjord unveils a different side of New Zealand, with its majestic mountains, winding rivers, and the cheeky Kea bird. Throughout the journey, your guide will make multiple stops for photo opportunities, and short walks, and will entertain you with fascinating local facts and stories.
180 minutes here
Eglinton Valley
Within the Eglinton Valley you’ll also find the famous Mirror Lakes and Knobs Flat.
Mirror Lakes Walk
Enjoy a beautiful short nature walk and view the famous Mirror Lakes
10 minutes here
Homer Tunnel
The Homer Tunnel is a 1.2 km long road tunnel in the Fiordland region of the South Island of New Zealand, opened in 1953. New Zealand State Highway 94 passes through the tunnel, linking Milford Sound to Te Anau and Queenstown, by piercing the Darran Mountain range at the Homer Saddle
Milford Sound
Upon reaching Milford Sound, embark on a 2 hour nature cruise that takes you beneath the towering peaks of the fjord. This small boat cruise, accompanied by a knowledgeable onboard nature guide, allows you to explore the edges of the fjord, revealing its impressive waterfalls and unique wildlife, which may include dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and native birdlife.
120 minutes here
After your cruise, you will be introduced to your pilot, who will take you to the skies on a truly incredible scenic flight back to Queenstown. Travelling on a fixed-wing plane, this flight is approximately 45 minutes and offers aerial views of Milford Sound and Queenstown, alongwith the impressive snow-capped mountains, glaciers and braided rivers in between.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Queenstown
Arrive back in Queenstown and be transferred back to your meeting point by the flight company
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
6:30: Glass Roof Van + Lunch
Nature Cruise & Scenic Flight : This tour includes a 1 hr 45 min nature cruise on Milford Sound and a return scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. Packed Picnic Lunch: This option includes a packed picnic lunch. The default selection is chicken, however a vegetarian option is available. Glass Roof Mercedes Sprinter: This option travels in a premium glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter van Departure Time: 6:30am: From Queenstown Pickup included
7:30am Departure + Lunch
Nature Cruise & Scenic Flight : This tour includes a 2 hour nature cruise on Milford Sound and a return scenic flight from Milford. Packed Picnic Lunch: This has a Chicken sandwich. If you would like Vegetarian, please note in special requirements, or let our team know. Premium Mercedes Van: Departs 7.30am. Travel by premium Mercedes Sprinter van. Select 6.30am for Glass-Roof upgrade. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes and a rain jacket.
- The flight back is weather dependant and in the case where flights are cancelled due to weather, you will return to Queenstown by van and be refunded your flight portion of your ticket.
- A packed picnic lunch is included. The default choice is chicken, however you can request a vegetarian lunch until 5pm the day prior.
- Please bring a reusable waterbottle on tour with us. There are multiple locations to refill during the day.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 368 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
368 verified traveler reviews for Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day trip to Milford Sound with our excellent guide Allegra
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Milford Sound with Altitude Tours! It was a brilliant day from start to finish. Our guide, Allegra, was excellent. Her commentary was always interesting, warm and friendly, and we learnt so much more about New Zealand during the coach journey. There were plenty of comfort breaks and scenic lookout stops along the way, and Allegra did a fantastic job of keeping everything running smoothly and on time. The Milford Sound cruise was wonderful, and we were very lucky to have a beautiful blue sky day to take in the spectacular scenery. We were also lucky enough to spot bottlenose dolphins and seals along the way. A very special thank you to Allegra for taking such good care of our 10-year-old daughter, who suffers from motion sickness. She kindly allowed her to sit up front, which made such a difference. Our daughter loved chatting with Allegra one-on-one and felt very comfortable and looked after. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and a truly memorable day. We would highly recommend Altitude Tours and especially Allegra to anyone visiting Milford Sound.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic day exploring Milford Sound with us. It’s lovely to know you enjoyed the journey, scenic stops, cruise, and were lucky enough to experience the incredible scenery under blue skies, as well as spotting dolphins and seals along the way. We’re especially pleased to hear how well Allegra looked after your daughter and helped make her journey more comfortable. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Allegra. We know she’ll be thrilled to hear that she helped make the day such a memorable experience for your family. Thank you again for recommending Altitude Tours. We hope to welcome you and your family back for another adventure in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing place
Excellent place to visit, can’t express in words how the view is. Tour bus was uncomfortable for a 13 yr tour.
Response from the operator: Kia ora, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're so pleased you found Milford Sound such an incredible place to visit—it really is difficult to put the scenery into words! We're sorry to hear the journey wasn't as comfortable as you had hoped. We appreciate your feedback and will take it on board as we continually look for ways to improve our guests' experience. We hope to welcome you back to New Zealand again in the future.
via Viator
Don't worry about rain on this trip
Amazing trip. We were really initially sorry it was raining, however we learned that this is one of the most amazing ways to see the Sound. The waterfalls were out of this world amazing. Our guide, Stu (Flying Dutchman) was super helpful and could not have been more entertaining. We learned a lot about New Zealand and the plant and animal life that makes it so amazing. Overall a great experience. Don't let the rain bum you out on this one.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the wonderful review! 😊 We're thrilled you discovered the magic of Milford Sound in the rain—the waterfalls really are something special. Stu "The Flying Dutchman" will love the shoutout! Thanks for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon. 🌧️🏔️✨
via Tripadvisor
Milford is a Must
I had Stuart as a guide and he was the friendliest guide. He was from The Netherlands. He pointed out great spots along the drive. He was a good driver. Milford was so nice. I am glad I took this trip. Milford reminded me of Alaska but it’s much prettier. And flying home was the coolest experience. Definitely the way to travel back to queenstown. The tour company is top notch. I had gotten sick and they for another day at no cost. Which they didn’t have to do that
Response from the operator: We're so pleased you had a great day with Stuart. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words, his friendly personality and local knowledge make him a fantastic guide. It's wonderful to hear you loved Milford Sound and enjoyed the scenic flight back to Queenstown. We agree, it's an incredible way to experience the region! We're also glad we could help by moving your booking so you didn't miss out. Thanks again for your recommendation, and we hope to see you again on another adventure soon.
via Tripadvisor
Best day of the holiday
The whole day was absolutely fantastic from the moment we were picked up the guide was prompt. He stopped off at some very scenic spots along the route to break up the long journey to Milford sound, he also gave us the history of the area and was very friendly, offering to take pics of me and my wife at every location. Then the cruise oh my days I have never experienced anything like it before, it is a magnificent place, the pictures do not serve it justice. We took the fly back option which again was incredible the pilot was great flying us back to Queens town letting us soak up the scenery from the air. All in all it was a fantastic day and I would highly recommend it!
Response from the operator: We're delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic day from start to finish. It's great to know your guide helped make the journey to Milford Sound enjoyable, sharing local history, stopping at scenic locations, and capturing special photos along the way. Milford Sound truly is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed, and we're so pleased it exceeded your expectations. The flyback option is an incredible way to experience the region, and we're glad you enjoyed the spectacular aerial views and had a great pilot to make the experience even more memorable. Thank you for choosing to travel with us and for taking the time to share your experience. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $579 to $1,099
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 129
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 81.0 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Altitude Tours Milford Sound Experience runsWhy this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight cost?
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Prices start at $579 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Queenstown is not rushed.
Is Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 369 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight?
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Around 129 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Queenstown can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Queenstown within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight?
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Included: Small group tour helping you escape the crowds; On-board WiFi; Convenient pick up and drop off locations around Queenstown; A breathtaking fixed-wing scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown; and Knowledgable and friendly local driver/guides. Not included: Bottled water. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 18 listed pickup locations in and around Queenstown. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight?
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Across 369 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including 6:30: Glass Roof Van + Lunch, 7:30am Departure + Lunch. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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