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Sightseeing Cruises

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour with Cruise & Lunch

Couple taking selfie on Milford Sound cruise with waterfall in background.
Mitre Peak reflecting in Milford Sound, New Zealand, under a clear blue sky.
Group posing by tour van with scenic Milford Sound backdrop, Queenstown tour.
Picnic lunch with sandwich, apple, chips, cheese crackers, chocolate, and muffin for Milford Sound tour.

Duration

13 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Hotel pickup

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.5/5

(51)

KARAN MANAN

Karan

Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our day road trip tour to Milford Sounds was thoroughly enjoyable. Our tour operator Mr Joseph (fondly called Mr Joe) shared clear details about the whole journey, made all necessary stops at various key spots, providing us and all other tour members ample time for taking photographs, adequate breaks to keep everyone fresh and comfortable. His positive energy was infectious on everyone, he was caring and professional ensuring all folks get their proper meal with all possible dietary requirements, he arranged the boat tour tickets was everyone to avoid any hassles. Overall it was a great tour & experience.
Boero Fabrizio

Boero

Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Tour very weel managed. We like a lot our driver/guide Zoe. She was very kind and gave us a lot of interesting informations. We was very lucky to meet her 🤩
Zarir Buhariwala

Zarir

Jun 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Lynette was a great tour guide and very knowledgeable about the history of the region and the stops and locations were wonderful.
    • Travel in a small group by comfortable minibus, guided by locals who share stories and insights that make the long journey engaging from start to finish.

    • Stop often along the Milford Road, Lake Wakatipu, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel, for photos, short walks, and hidden “secret spots” away from the crowds.

    • Cruise Milford Sound on a boutique vessel with fewer passengers, giving you close-up views of waterfalls, wildlife, and sheer cliffs in a relaxed, uncrowded setting.

    • Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch and surprise snacks included in your day, so you can stay energized while soaking up the scenery.

    • Relax knowing the entire trip is carefully planned for comfort and flow, with fast-tracked cruise boarding and seamless connections from road to water.

    • Full-day Milford Sound tour from Queenstown

    • Small-group return travel by premium minivan

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off at select stops

    • Guided commentary by local English-speaking driver

    • Scenic photo stops in Fiordland National Park

    • Boutique Milford Sound sightseeing cruise

    • Gourmet picnic lunch with snacks and water

    • Child safety car seat for children under 8 years old (NZ$20 per seat if not providing your own)

    • Hotel pickup from unlisted properties

    • Alcohol, drinks, or additional meals not listed

  • TOTAL DURATION13 hours
    MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Minibus
    Queenstown
    Start point

    Queenstown

    Get direction
    Lake Wakatipu

    1. Lake Wakatipu

    Free Admission

    Photo stop & Sightseeing

    Passes By

    Lake Te Anau

    2. Lake Te Anau

    Free Admission
    Eglinton Valley

    3. Eglinton Valley

    Free Admission
    Mirror Lakes

    4. Mirror Lakes

    Free Admission
    Lake Gunn

    5. Lake Gunn

    Free Admission

    Photo stop & Sightseeing

    Passes By

    Darran Mountains

    6. Darran Mountains

    Free Admission

    Passes By

    Milford Sound

    7. Milford Sound

    Tickets included
    Queenstown
    End point

    Queenstown

    Get direction

    Your ending point would be same as your start point

    TOTAL DURATION13 hours - 13 hours 30 minutes
    Queenstown
    Start point

    Queenstown

    Get direction

    Passes By

    Te Anau

    1. Te Anau

    Free Admission

    Passes By

    Milford Sound Terminal

    2. Milford Sound Terminal

    Tickets included

    Things to do

    Passes By

    Queenstown
    End point

    Queenstown

    Get direction

    Your ending point would be same as your start point

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 4.5
    51 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    32
    17
    1
    0
    1
    Guests from Australia, Italy, Netherlands and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    KARAN MANAN

    Karan

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Our day road trip tour to Milford Sounds was thoroughly enjoyable. Our tour operator Mr Joseph (fondly called Mr Joe) shared clear details about the whole journey, made all necessary stops at various key spots, providing us and all other tour members ample time for taking photographs, adequate breaks to keep everyone fresh and comfortable. His positive energy was infectious on everyone, he was caring and professional ensuring all folks get their proper meal with all possible dietary requirements, he arranged the boat tour tickets was everyone to avoid any hassles. Overall it was a great tour & experience.
    Boero Fabrizio

    Boero

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Tour very weel managed. We like a lot our driver/guide Zoe. She was very kind and gave us a lot of interesting informations. We was very lucky to meet her 🤩
    Christina Weldam

    Christina

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    Beatifull nature. We did it in combinatie wih a tour
    Zarir Buhariwala

    Zarir

    Jun 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Lynette was a great tour guide and very knowledgeable about the history of the region and the stops and locations were wonderful.
    Ferdinand MARTERER

    Ferdinand

    Mar 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    Well organized, super driver/guide Food could be better Coordination on WhatsApp would be appreciated to avoid misunderstandings for the pick up
  • Journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a premium small-group tour that blends a scenic road trip with a boutique fjord cruise. Along the way, enjoy handpicked stops, expert commentary, and a picnic lunch.

    Getting started

    Begin your adventure with pickup from select Queenstown hotels or a central meeting point. Settle into a comfortable minivan, meet your friendly guide, and get a preview of the day’s highlights before heading towards Fiordland.

    What to expect

    This tour takes you deep into Milford Sound, the crown jewel of Fiordland National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “eighth wonder of the world.” Towering cliffs rise straight from the water, waterfalls plunge hundreds of meters into the fjord, and wildlife like seals and dolphins thrive in this untouched wilderness. Traveling in a small group ensures you can stop at hidden lookouts, enjoy stories from your guide, and board a boutique cruise where the scenery feels close and personal, making this the most rewarding way to experience New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonder.

    Features
    • Scenic Fiordland drive: Travel via Lake Wakatipu, the Devil’s Staircase, and the Homer Tunnel, stopping often for photos, short walks, and wildlife encounters

    • Boutique Milford Sound cruise: Board a smaller vessel for closer views of Mitre Peak, tumbling waterfalls, and native wildlife, away from the big-boat crowds

    • Mirror Lakes & Hollyford River: Pause at Mirror Lakes, where reflections of the mountains shimmer on still waters, and admire the Hollyford River winding through the valley

    • Picnic lunch included: Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch, snacks, and water provided during the day, with special meals available for infants

    • Expert local guide: Hear fascinating stories about Fiordland’s geology, history, and wildlife throughout the journey

    After the cruise, relax on the comfortable return drive to Queenstown, pausing in Te Anau for a short break before drop-off at your original location.

  • What to bring

    • Wear comfortable walking shoes as there will be some walking on your tour.

    • Bring clothing for all weather conditions, including a rain or wind jacket.

    • Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, camera, rain gear, insect repellent, and weather-appropriate clothing.

    What’s not allowed

    • Non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed.

    • Electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

    • Bikes are not allowed.

    • Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited.

    Accessibility

    • This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

    Additional information

    • Children under 8 years old are required to travel in a child safety car seat. These can be supplied for NZ$20 per seat or you may bring your own. Please advise the ages of children when booking.

    • Kindly advise of any dietary requirements when booking.

    • You will receive an email with important pickup details the day before your tour. Please read this carefully.

    • This is a small-group tour by minivan.

    • The weather in Milford Sound can be unpredictable; it is recommended to bring clothing for all weather conditions.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID during the pick-up.

    Hotel transfers

    • This ticket includes hotel pickups and drop-offs.

    • In the next step of booking, please select the name and address of your hotel.

    • On the day of your tour, please report at your hotel lobby 10-15 min prior to your scheduled departure.

    • If your hotel does not have a lobby, please wait at the entrance of the hotel.

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