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Queenstown to Te Anau with Milford Sound Cruise

South Island

Cheeky Kiwi Travel

from
NZ$329
per adult
Cruise boat on Milford Sound at sunset with golden light on the water

Experiences

Cruises Cruises Small Group Tours Small Group Tours Day Tours Day Tours Family-friendly Tours Family-friendly Tours

South Island

Start: Queenstown
Finish: Te Anau
Location: Queenstown
Duration: 1 day
Travel Time: 10 hours

Details

A Scenic Journey Through Fiordland’s Heart

This fully guided small-group tour begins in Queenstown, winding along the edge of Lake Wakatipu with striking views of The Remarkables. Your local guide shares stories of the region while you travel in comfort towards Te Anau, pausing for photos and lakeside stops. With every turn, the scenery shifts from alpine peaks to tranquil farmland and glacial valleys.

Continuing into Fiordland National Park, the road passes through Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes and the dramatic Homer Tunnel. At Milford Sound, board a boutique vessel for a premium cruise showcasing towering cliffs, misty waterfalls and New Zealand fur seals. The return journey to Te Anau offers more time to enjoy hidden viewpoints and the peaceful beauty of the South Island’s heartland.

Search icon Mist rolling through a mountain valley along Milford Road in Southland, New Zealand
Search icon Mountain reflections at Mirror Lakes along Milford Road in Fiordland, New Zealand
Search icon Fast-flowing Hollyford River running through native rainforest in Fiordland National Park
Search icon Dusky dolphins swimming near the surface in Milford Sound
Search icon Kea parrot standing in a car park with Fiordland mountains in the background
Search icon Group of travellers on a guided Milford Sound tour in winter, standing beside a scenic tour van in a snowy Fiordland landscape
Search icon Panoramic view of Lake Wakatipu with turquoise water, alpine mountains, and scenic road on the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound
Search icon Tour guide and small group of travellers posing beside a minibus on a Milford Sound day tour from Queenstown
Search icon Group of New Zealand fur seals resting on sunlit rocks in Milford Sound
Search icon Cruise boat on Milford Sound at sunset with golden light on the water

Inclusions

  • Small Group & Fully Guided Tour
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Picnic Lunch
  • Water available & snacks provided

Exclusions

  • Picnic lunch for infants (0-3)
  • pickup from hotels not listed

Age Information

  • Adult: 15 years +
  • Children: 4-14 years
  • Infants: Under 4 years

Cancellations & Refunds

  • Outside 24 hours before travel: Full refund**
  • Within 24 hours before travel: No refund

Note: **Refund excludes credit card or payment fees if applicable, which are non-refundable.

Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*

Itinerary

  • Queenstown – The day begins in the alpine beauty of Queenstown. As you depart the city, your guide shares stories and points out local highlights, setting the tone for the stunning journey ahead.
  • Lake Wakatipu – Travel alongside the shimmering waters of Lake Wakatipu, framed by the towering Remarkables Range. This route is perfect for photo stops, capturing one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes.
  • Devils Staircase – The road winds dramatically through the Devils Staircase, offering elevated views across the lake and surrounding peaks. It’s a section known for its breathtaking scenery and sense of anticipation for the day to come.
  • Te Anau – The scenery softens into rolling farmland and mountain views as you arrive in Te Anau, home to New Zealand’s second-largest lake. Take a short break, meet some of the local wildlife, and stop at Te Anau Downs for views of the Milford Track’s starting point.
  • Eglinton Valley – Enter Fiordland National Park and pause in the glacier-carved Eglinton Valley, one of the first major sights within the park. The sweeping plains and snow-dusted peaks give a sense of the scale and grandeur of Fiordland.
  • Mirror Lakes – A brief walk at Mirror Lakes reveals the perfect reflections of the Earl Mountains on calm days. It’s an ideal spot for photography, where stillness and symmetry create a surreal natural mirror.
  • Lake Gunn – Continue along the Milford Road to Lake Gunn, a serene lake surrounded by native forest. Take time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and capture photos of the untouched wilderness.
  • Hollyford River & Falls Creek – The route follows the fast-flowing Hollyford River, where tumbling waters and rocky rapids create a striking scene. Nearby, Falls Creek introduces the first of many dramatic waterfalls along the way.
  • Darran Mountains – As the road climbs higher into the Darran Mountains, the views become even more dramatic. Keep an eye out for kea, the cheeky alpine parrots known for their bold and curious behaviour.
  • Homer Tunnel – Pass through the remarkable hand-carved Homer Tunnel, a feat of engineering surrounded by towering rock faces. Emerging on the Milford side, the landscape opens into steep valleys and, on wet days, hundreds of cascading waterfalls.
  • Milford Sound – Arrive at the fiord and board your boutique Milford Sound Premium Cruise. Glide between sheer cliffs, watch fur seals bask on the rocks, and admire waterfalls plunging from rainforest-covered mountains.
  • Mitre Peak – The cruise highlights the iconic Mitre Peak, rising sharply from the water to dominate the skyline. This dramatic landmark perfectly captures the awe and scale of Milford Sound.
  • Pop’s View Lookout – On the return journey, pause at Pop’s View for elevated vistas across the Southern Alps near the Routeburn Track. Your guide shares local legends and stories that connect this landscape to its Māori heritage.
  • Te Anau Return – The journey concludes with a comfortable ride back to Te Anau. Enjoy a few final scenic stops and reflections on an unforgettable day through the heart of Fiordland.

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