From Queenstown: Milford Sound Scenic Flyover & Cruise

Queenstown departure

Begin your day with a hotel pickup in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand heading to the airport for your scenic flight to Milford Sound. Board a comfortable vehicle that will take you to the airport, where a scenic 1 hour 20 minute flight to Milford Sound awaits.

Soar above Milford Sound

Departing from the airport, marvel at the South Island's vistas, including Central Otago's rugged peaks and the gleaming Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake. Admire the contrasting colors where glacial rivers meet the lake. Your flight takes you over Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls. Catch a glimpse of the renowned Milford Track, a testament to the area's pristine wilderness.

Cruise along the fiord

Touch down at Milford Sound, ready for an enchanting cruise through this natural marvel. Cruise 16 kilometers along the fiord to the Tasman Sea, marveling at Milford Sound's splendor, often hailed as the eighth wonder of the world. Witness the towering Mitre Peak and the stunning Bowen and Stirling Falls. At Seal Point, you might catch sight of fur seals. Learn about the area's rich history, geology, and wildlife from your guide while enjoying a complimentary beverage. Keep an eye out for dolphins, penguins, and other marine life as you near the roaring waves of the open sea.

Return flight & Queenstown drop-off

Post-cruise, head back to the airport for your return flight to Queenstown. Soar over the Southern Alps, the Remarkables, Crown Range, and Shotover River, enjoying a fresh perspective of these magnificent landscapes against the dynamic sky. The day ends with a hotel drop-off in Queenstown, leaving you with a newfound admiration for New Zealand's beauty.

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Scenic Flyover & Cruise

This full-day guided tour from Queenstown offers a captivating blend of scenic flights and cruises, showcasing Fiordland National Park's stunning landscapes and iconic landmarks. The adventure begins with either a coach journey or an aerial flight to the park, covering approximately 250 kilometers in either case. Along the way, visitors will see Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Homer Tunnel, Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls, and the majestic Mitre Peak. The tour includes a Milford Sound cruise that lasts around two hours, with stops for photo opportunities every 30 minutes. Guests can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee onboard while viewing waterfalls such as Stirling Falls from an open-air deck. The experience is available in multiple languages including English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Spanish, ensuring access to informative commentary throughout the journey. With a duration of about eight hours round trip, this tour provides unparalleled views of natural wonders like the Earnslaw Burn Glacier and Sutherland Falls, making it perfect for nature enthusiasts and photography buffs alike.

Explore Fiordland National Park

Your tour stops at Fiordland National Park where you can marvel at its vast expanse covering 1.2 million hectares of pristine wilderness. Established in 1952, the park is home to numerous landmarks including Mirror Lakes and Mitre Peak, offering breathtaking views from various vantage points along your journey. Visitors will see unique features such as the Olivine Ice Plateau, which stretches over 30 kilometers long, and the Homer Tunnel that runs for 1.2 kilometers through the dense forest. The park's diverse ecosystem supports a variety of flora and fauna, making it a crucial conservation area. Guests typically spend around two hours exploring the park’s highlights, capturing stunning aerial photos of Lake Quill and Sutherland Falls during their flight back to Queenstown.

Marvel at Stirling Falls

At Stirling Falls, guests can witness one of Milford Sound's most impressive waterfalls. Located within Fiordland National Park, this 150-meter-high waterfall is a significant landmark along the cruise route. The falls were named after Captain Charles Bruce Stirling, who explored the area in the late 19th century. Visitors typically spend around 30 minutes at the falls, enjoying panoramic views from an open-air deck on board their cruise vessel. What makes Stirling Falls unique is its deep blue water contrasting with the lush greenery surrounding it, creating a striking visual contrast that photographers love to capture. The tour allows ample time for guests to appreciate the natural beauty and understand why this area is considered one of New Zealand's most scenic destinations.

Discover Mirror Lakes

Your coach journey takes you through Fiordland National Park where you will stop at Mirror Lakes, a stunning body of water known for its reflective surface. These lakes are part of the Routeburn Track and offer visitors a chance to photograph pristine alpine scenery reflected perfectly in their glassy surfaces. The lakes cover an area of about 0.5 hectares each and were named due to their mirror-like appearance when calm. Guests usually spend around 20 minutes here, taking advantage of clear skies for optimal photo opportunities. Mirror Lakes serve as a testament to the park's commitment to preserving natural beauty, making them a must-see landmark on any tour through Fiordland.

Tour Highlights

• Scenic flight over Milford Sound with pilot commentary
• Coach journey covering 250 kilometers in total
• Guided cruise of two hours including open-air deck viewing
• Complimentary tea and coffee served onboard the cruise vessel
• Stops for photo opportunities every 30 minutes along the route
• Aerial views of Lake Quill and Sutherland Falls during flight back
• Informative commentary in English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Spanish
• Unique experience at Stirling Falls with its deep blue water contrast
• Reflections of alpine scenery captured perfectly in Mirror Lakes

Perfect for nature enthusiasts, photography buffs, and adventure seekers, this full-day guided tour from Queenstown provides an immersive exploration of Fiordland National Park's natural wonders. The eight-hour round trip allows you to marvel at landmarks such as Mitre Peak, Homer Tunnel, Stirling Falls, and Mirror Lakes, giving you a comprehensive understanding of New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes while enjoying unique experiences like aerial flights over Lake Quill and Sutherland Falls.