milford sound small group tour from te anau

SEE MILFORD SOUND

… in small groups … at your own pace … in comfortable transport

close to towering mountains and thundering waterfalls

with short walks & lots of photo stops

NATIVE WILDLIFE

Seals & Dolphins

NATIVE BIRDLIFE

Keas & Kereru

Exceptional Milford Sound Tours

Fiordland Tours offer daily guided tours to Milford Sound from Te Anau in our specially fitted and extremely comfortable coaches.

With groups of no more than 15, plenty of stops for photos, and optional short walks, you get to see this spectacular place properly.

Each tour connects with a small boat operator for a scenic/nature cruise.

Fiordland Tours would like to help you explore this slice of paradise – at your own pace.

MILFORD SOUND FIORDLAND EXTRAORDINAIRE TOUR

This is Fiordland Tours’ signature tour.

An extended day trip to Milford Sound from Te Anau that ensures you see all the best bits the region has to offer – we include extra walks and photo stops, home baking, and a nature cruise on the famous Milford Sound.

MILFORD SOUND DAY TOUR

Designed to show you the best bits, in a shorter timeframe – with an earlier return to Te Anau. We include stops on the way and join the Encounter Nature Cruise in Milford Sound. 

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR

TOURS TO MILFORD SOUND

MILFORD SOUND FIORDLAND EXTRAORDINAIRE

MILFORD SOUND DAY TOUR –

MILFORD SOUND PRIVATE TOUR –

Experience more with one of our tour add-ons.

FIXED WING FLIGHT

HELICOPTER FLIGHT

Looking for te anau transport options, we also offer, fiordland transport.

We offer a range of services to help you get where you need to go. We offer transport sectors to get you to and from the Kepler, Routeburn & Milford Tracks – plus charter transport to anywhere! We also offer transport from Queenstown to Te Anau.

Wherever you need to go – we can get you there!

GET EVEN CLOSER TO NATURE WITH ONE OF OUR GUIDED WALKS

Guided walks.

It’s more than just walking with Fiordland Walks…

Using helicopters or Jet Boats, we allow you to see the best bits of the Kepler Track in a day, at an easy and relaxed pace matched to your fitness level.

Your guide will share their knowledge of the local area, wildlife and fauna – while the highlights will keep your camera clicking!

PHONE. 0800 247 249 / +64 3 249 9368     EMAIL. [email protected] LOCATION.  208 Milford Road, Te Anau, New Zealand

Phone. 0800 247 249 / +64 3 249 9368 email. [email protected] location. 208 milford road, te anau, new zealand.

Small Group, Award Winning, Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau

• Combine a spectacular Milford Sound cruise with Fiordland National Park
• Driving route takes in beautiful, remote places with photo opportunities
• Make sightseeing stops with the opportunity for short hikes
• Small group ensures a personalized experience
• See itinerary
• 2-Hour nature cruise on Milford Sound
• Knowledgable and friendly driver/guide
• Off-the-beaten track scenic photo stops en route
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• WiFi on board
• Entry/Admission - Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
• Entry/Admission - Milford Sound
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Snacks - Note that after Te Anau there are no places to purchase additional snacks.
• Miro Street, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand Departure Point: Kiwi Country, Miro Street, Te Anau Address: Kiwi Country, Miro Street, Te Anau Dates: Daily
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes and rain jacket
• Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
• Minimum numbers of 6 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
• Most travellers can participate
• Due to Covid-19 we are no longer able to offer our buffet style BBQ lunch. We will be providing a picnic lunch instead.
• There is an option to include a packed picnic lunch. The default choice is chicken, however you can request to change to a beef or vegetarian lunch until 5pm the day prior.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at Miro Street Miro Street, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand Departure Point: Kiwi Country, Miro Street, Te Anau Address: Kiwi Country, Miro Street, Te Anau Dates: Daily See address & details
• 1 Te Anau See details
• 2 Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) Stop: 3 hours - Admission included See details
• 3 Eglinton Valley See details
• 4 Mirror Lakes Walk Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 5 Homer Tunnel See details
• 6 Milford Sound Stop: 2 hours - Admission included See details
• 7 Te Anau Stop: 5 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• J592KHhelend 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles BEST DAY EVER. BEST DAY EVER. Kevin was just the most amazing tour guide. He even arranged snow and sunshine. Nothing was too much trouble. Great knowledge of area. Kept to schedule but took us to individualised amazing places. Plenty of time playing in the snow. Can't recommend this tour group and Kevin highly enough. Read more Written 27 April 2024
• Camper61324814490 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles It's worth the long day This trip was amazing in so many ways. The bus was comfortable with plenty of leg room. It was well organized with more than plenty of time at each of our stops. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Our tour guide Tommy friendly and really knowledgeable of the area and clearly had a passion for the environment. He certainly made the tour that much better. If there was a negative it was the boat trip at Milford sound. It was a little bit of let down as the captain didn't really go to close to shore other than on the last waterfall and wasn't big on the commentary but that may have something to do the weather and certainly nothing to do with Altitude tours. It was worth the long day. Read more Written 26 April 2024
• Pioneer46766416067 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour! Amazing tour! Comfy van and most importantly, our tour guide (Kevin) was amazing too..very knowledgeable and accomodating! highly recommend. 👍🏼👍🏼 Read more Written 25 April 2024
• Roam26377668179 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend! Our tour guide Nev showed us a great time at this trip. He stopped at some great viewpoints and his commentary was very interesting too. The minibus was also comfortable, and they also provided blankets for when it got a bit chilly. Loved the cruise experience - the most beautiful, scenic, breathtaking views you’d ever see. Highly recommend! Read more Written 23 April 2024
• Pngjo 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Milford Sound, an amazing experience! Sinchan was an excellent, knowledgeable, and engaging guide. Brilliant scenery seen by road, boat, and optional flight, so pleased I chose this tour. Read more Written 23 April 2024
• 228sandyn 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Small group tour to Milford Sound Our guide Chelsea was a real star. Very knowledgeable and able to answer questions. Also very friendly. We had a great time and it was worth the money spent. Read more Written 23 April 2024
• Road63186916194 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing day at Milford Sound We went by bus with Kev who was amazing. He as informative and made our long drive fly by. He also stopped at great locations for pictures The the boat ride was amazing and the flight back was truly unbelievable This was a trip to remember Read more Written 21 April 2024
• F4570QRcharlesg 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great trip Or guide was great and made the trip interesting during the drive. The day was partly cloudy but we got some great views.. Read more Written 21 April 2024
• O5870MZcharlesc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Got to be best option for Milford tour This was a great day made better by us getting a good driver and one of the best guides ever all in one - Chelsea. Long day out but not all about Milford Sound, even if that is the headline act. Lots more to see on the way and all presented by a knowledgeable, enthusiastic (but not over the top) and friendly local. Lots of photo stops on the way to the amazing bucket list experience that is Milford Sound. Great cruise on the sound with amusing skipper pointing out the sites and history. Only tips are check how you book - ironically Tripadvisor was an issue for me as a kiwi as $ price was US$ I think then charged on my card as GB pounds. Also be aware it might be worth finding out day before where first pick up is to guarantee you get to sit with your partner- if that’s important to you! It’s first come, first serve in the small buses. This was a really brilliant way to do Milford- strongly recommend it over self drive or bigger tours. And if you get Chelsea you have struck gold! Read more Written 21 April 2024
• Compass33948113389 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful views, top notch guide We opted for the glass roof Sprinter van which was worth the views up above. This route was absolutely beautiful. Our guide Ashley was incredible: charming, thoughtful and informative… and a great driver along the windy roads. On the way out we made plenty of stops for food/toilets and views and walks. It was a long day but felt worth it because we were in great company and saw many gorgeous things. The Milford Sound boat was a highlight. If I were to go back, I’d ask for Ashley again. She did such a nice job of personalizing our experience Read more Written 20 April 2024
• 837terryw 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Tour didn’t match the website image or implied promise of quality despite its premium price Overall our tour went well. The glass roof Mercedes Bus was good, but seating was tight with very little leg room. Our driver, Ashley was excellent and provided a great commentary along the way. We were advised that there would be limited time for stops on the way and while we would be able to get coffee from a cafe we were advised to bring some breakfast food with us. As it turned out, there was time to buy cabinet breakfast foods that were excellent. It was a waste of money arranging for our hotel to prepare breakfast food in a box for us. We were very disappointed in the small boat used for the Milford cruise. It was too small for the group size especially considering the weather we had to contend with and not enough seating inside to shelter from the heavy rain. The boat was clearly aging and in need of modernisation or refurbishing. Compared to the quality of the buses and the size and quality of other Milford cruise boats, our boat was a big let down. Read more Written 19 April 2024
• Marlise Z 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful tour What a wonderful day. Graham was a great guide, full of knowledge about New Zealand and the land we drove through. Plenty of stops along the way. We appreciated being part of a small group. Milford sound was absolutely stunning, We’re so glad we booked this tour. Read more Written 17 April 2024
• mitchk660 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic Experience. Thanks, James! If you're going to put stock in any of these reviews, put some in the review from a guy who took three tours with Altitude. Altitude does a truly remarkable job running a seamless operation while still making it super fun and informative. Milford Sound is one of the most mindblowingly beautiful places I've ever seen and I can't imagine having done it without the help of Altitude. My tour guide, James, had broad knowledge of local wildlife conservation and taught us tons about the local ecosystem. I would consider myself lucky to do another tour with Altitude before they become too popular. Read more Written 17 April 2024
• N8876JYmarjoriem 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great day out Andy was amazing so full of knowledge and so helpful in every way couldn’t have had a better guide Boat trip was fabulous skipper took time to show us everything Read more Written 17 April 2024
• GrahamPapworth 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A great day out Most Spectacular Lacation and the wettest place on the planet too. The whole day was excellent - the drive whilst quite long was always interesting and with frequent photo and comfort stops.the waterfall display following the previous days rain was impressive. Great driver who gave us so much history and local information. Well done Kevin - top man Super boat trip viewing the temporary and semi permanent falls A great day out not to be missed Read more Written 16 April 2024

More to explore in Te Anau

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Small Group, Award Winning, Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau provided by Milford Sound Experience by Altitude Tours

The Luxe Journey

Milford sound tour from te anau - full details.

Join our Milford Sound Tour from Te Anau on a premium small group coach for a 120km journey into a natural wonderland. With up to 11 stops, including hidden gems, prepare to capture nature's beauty and embrace moments of serene silence. Learn more about our full Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau.

What makes a Luxe Tour special?

Te anau hotel & accommodation pick up, spacious comfort in our mercedes van, more nature, less time in a vehicle, local guides & small group for a personal tour, 2-hour nature & wildlife cruise on premium boat .

Our comfortable & spacious van coach

Our coaches are spacious and we guarantee that couples sit together and a good amount of window seats. 

Our 2023 Mercedes coach has the following safety features: brake assist, blind spot monitoring, LED headlights, lane assist.

Extra spacious leather seating customised for maximum comfort.

Low emission technology to meet our eco standards.

For our passengers: USB ports, powerful climate control, tray tables, cup holders & engaging commentary.

Satellite phone & First Aid Kits.

Our Milford Sound cruise

We partner with RealNZ as they cap their numbers at 50% of the boat's capacity so you'll have extra comfort & space to spare. 

2-hour commentated Milford Sound Cruise for waterfall and wildlife viewing.

Spacious inside lounges & top decks make wildlife viewing simple in all weather types.

RealNZ's commitment to conservation aligns with our core values.

Our delicious refreshments

We have partnered with local cafe - the 'Milford Road Merchant' in Te Anau to offer a morning muffin/scone snack, included in the cost of tour.

We include a plant-based water bottle and unlimited chilled water throughout the day on board our coach.

On board your cruise you will have the choice of a full A la Carte menu, craft beer bar, NZ wines, light refreshments and many snack options. All available via pre-order or on the day. 

Our departure point is Te Anau

All Milford Sound Tours depart from Te Anau which saves you over 4 hours in a vehicle than from Queenstown. 

You'll enjoy a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience with more time at each scenic stop.

Te Anau also offers other amazing attractions nearby - the Glowworm Caves and beautiful Doubtful Sound . 

Accommodation in Te Anau is more economical than staying in Queenstown, but with all the amenities you need. 

Our Luxe Vehicle

Our new 2023 coach has the latest technology and comfort for your safety and enjoyment. With 11 leather seats with spacious leg room, USB charging, large windows and high performance air conditioning, our coach will get you off the beaten track to enjoy local Milford Sound spots. 

New 2023 Merc Coach

11 Seats for 9-guests 

High-Perfomance Air/Heat

Safety Features & Lighting

USB-C Charging

Seat Trays & Storage

Our Milford Sound Tour breakdown

Your journey begins in the picturesque township of Te Anau. With 120km ahead of you, our luxury 12-seater coach will pick you up from your accommodation before departing for the first stop of the morning - Te Anau Downs. The Māori name, Te Ana-au refers to a cave of swirling water, perfect for a place known well for its 'Glowworm Caves' halfway down the lake. Surprisingly Te Anau only receives 1200mm of rain per year, compared to Fiordland's 7000mm.

Te Anau Downs

Te Anau Downs provides an opportunity for one final stop before officially entering Fiordland National Park. On a fine day, the Murchison Mountains provide a distant back drop for one of your first photo snapshots. It is Te Anau Downs which leads explorers to the start of the world famous Milford Track aboard several water taxi options including RealNZ and Fiordland Outdoors. This is also the last spot you will have strong cell phone reception or WiFi until Milford Sound.

Fiordland National Park

As you drive along the Milford Road, after Te Anau Downs, you are flanked by a mixture of farm and residential land until within seconds you enter a tunnel of native bush and civilisation disappears behind you - you know at this point you have entered the Fiordland National Park. The Park is over 1.2 million hectares in size, most of which is inaccessible. Not for the faint hearted, the Milford Road is one of the few public roads that twists and winds its way deep into the rainforest. 

Eglington Valley

Carved out thousands of years ago by glaciers, the Eglinton Valley is an open, stunning valley flanked by steep, pointed mountains that are lined by native bush. The flats of the valley include the Eglinton Valley which is 50km long and feeds into Lake Te Anau from Lake Gunn at the head. Surrounding the river are thousands of hectares of scorched golden tussock. A very popular photo stop, Eglinton Valley will have you feeling a sense of relaxation as you take in the mountain air. 

Mirror Lakes

57km deep into the Milford Road journey, Mirror Lakes is another of the very popular tourist stops along the way. From the carpark, it is a short 3 - 5minute walk to what is simply named 'Mirror Lakes'. The large ponds of still water are flanked by the Earl Mountains, offering a crisp mirror quality reflection on a clear, calm day. The challenge of a perfect photo here is one that many take up, however it is also worth taking in the surrounding wildlife and peacefulness. Timing your stop here is therefore crucial, we avoid the crowds. 

Used as the camping space for Milford Road & Homer Tunnel builders up until the 1980's, Knobs Flat is located within the Eglinton Valley and provides the opportunity for a brief bathroom stop. Accomodation options are available here where you can spend a few days fly fishing, bird watching or enjoying the many short walks in the area. In winter, your tour guide may stop here to apply snow chains!

Surrounded by red beech forest to the waters edge, Lake Gunn is a small 4km (2.48 mile) long lake that sits 480m (524 yards) above sea level. It's outflow leads into the Eglinton River, a famous fly fishing river that leads back down through the valley to Lake Te Anau. A stop at Lake Gunn makes for a scenic photo looking south, catching it at sunset is a special challenge. We typically enjoy our morning cafe snack here.

Hollyford Valley

The Hollyford Valley is home to a river with its namesake, a 56km (34.79 mile) track, and a stunning lookout that sits up above it all for a photo opportunity. A very popular stop with tourists, parking is limited and very close to the roads edge so care is essential! Step up onto the platform and take in the fresh mountain air blowing across you from the valley floor below. The road either side of this stop is incredible as well.

Marian Falls

Our special stop here includes an optional, leisurely 25-minute round-trip nature walk to Marian Falls. You'll witness the majestic cascade of water flowing over large boulders from the mountains above. Magnificent boardwalks offer stunning views. The pure beauty of nature here is a delight for all visitors. If you opt out of the walk, you can still enjoy an equally impressive view of the Hollyford River from the swing bridge near the car park.

Gertrude Saddle

Just around the corner from the famous Homer Tunnel, we stop at the start of the Gertrude Saddle track. It is the perfect place for a deep breath of fresh, cool mountain air. At this point, over 900m above sea level, Kea mountain parrots are likely to join us so hold onto your loose items as these are the 'thieves of Fiordland'. Soon after we will descend through the tunnel and into the Cleddau Valley.

Other Waterfalls / Local Secrets

We leave this one to our guides to show you the best on the day. There are waterfalls, rapids and chasms of water throughout the Milford Road, each different depending on the weather of the day. We also have some spots up our sleeves that as locals we know can put even more of a show for you on certain days. 

Milford Sound

As you journey down through the Cleddau Valley and enter into the Milford Sound basin, your tour is really only beginning. Your premium Milford Sound cruise will be awaiting you. In the background you will see the distant sight of waterfalls and the famous postcard shot of Mitre Peak. This is where your heart will start to accelerate, butterflies flutter in your stomach and you will know that the best is yet to come. Your cruise is two hours and the cruise terminal is host to toilet, coffee and food amenities.

Monkey Creek

Monkey Creek is a unique stop where our tour at Luxe will give you a very special 'fresh treat' to fully enjoy this one. The glacier fed creek is surrounded by steep mountains which in almost all weather conditions look stunning. Rare Blue Ducks live in the area, as well as Kea who use the carpark as a meet and greet spot with visiting tourists. Two of our 'special experiences' are at this location.

• Where is Milford Sound? Milford Sound is part of the Fiordland National Park, located in the south-west corner of New Zealand, and on the west coast of the South Island. Milford Sound is 120km from Te Anau, 288km from Queenstown and 757km from Christchurch. Milford Sound is accessible by vehicle, via the Milford Road.
• Can Milford Sound be a day trip? Yes absolutely and the large majority of visitors will take a day to tour Milford Sound. It is very important where you stay the night before and after however, with 60% of visitors choosing to tour from Te Anau. This is because a typical day tour from Te Anau is 7 - 9 hours. The typical day tour from Queenstown is 11 - 13 hours.
• Should I stay in Te Anau or Queenstown the night before my tour? We highly recommend staying in Te Anau the night before any tour, and the night after. A day trip, no matter the tour company, is a big day with most tours being about eight hours, most of that spent on the road driving on the Milford Road. Even though you won't be driving on a tour, due to the Milford Road itself and how much there is to do and look at, it can be a very taxing day. It is also another four hours return of driving if you are coming from Queenstown. There are plenty of accommodation options in Te Anau including camping grounds, right up to five star hotel and of course AirBNB options throughout the town. There is also some really enjoyable restaurants to grab a drink and bite to eat while surrounded by Lake Te Anau and the Kepler Mountains. Te Anau is also home to the Glowworm Caves which are certainly something you should consider adding to your to-do list while here. All up, we recommend two nights in Te Anau with your Milford Sound day tour on the middle day. If you want the stats of it - about 60% of visitors to Milford Sound choose to stay in Te Anau. There is a reason for that as you will find out!
• Is it easy to drive Te Anau to Milford Sound? The Milford Road is well known for being a challenging road in New Zealand. It is narrow, winding, and often exposed to the elements, particularly in winter. It can be self driven as a visitor however if this is the case we recommend leaving with plenty of time before your Milford Sound cruise, having plenty of breaks and making sure there is a lot of focus on the road. Because the Milford Road journey is as good and as beautiful as the destination (Milford Sound), we highly recommend a tour so that you can be looking out the window at all the scenery and sit back and enjoy your day. The Milford Road has a high accident rate compared to other roads in New Zealand.
• What is the best time of day to see Milford Sound? Most tours will depart Te Anau sometime between 8am and 10:30am. This puts you in Milford Sound around 1pm and back out by 3.30pm, with a return to Te Anay by 5.30pm. The middle part of the day is slightly busier however by then the day has warmed up and you also have the pick of cruises to take if you are not travelling on a tour.
• I am coming from Queenstown to Te Anau, how much time should I allow? Allow 2.5 hours if driving from Queenstown to Te Anau. In winter this can vary greatly depending on weather, specifically snow. This drive can extend out to 4 - 6 hours if there is low - moderate snow on the road. We recommend staying in Te Anau for the night before getting onto your Milford Sound tour. The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound return is at least 8 hours alone. This doesn't take into account all the stops you are going to want to take along the Milford Road, as well as your two hour cruise when you get there. It ends up being a big, tiring day!
• How far ahead should I book my Milford Sound tour? We suggest ideally booking at least two months out if you are planning on visiting Milford Sound between October and May. If visiting between June and September, booking up to four months out should be fine across most tour options.
• Is there any big walks that I have to do? No there is not. You can choose which walks to join us on as described below: Mirror Lakes - this is a two minute walk from the van to the beautiful Mirror Lakes. It is a board walk track with handrails. Rating: Very easy. The Chasm - This is a 20 minute return walk, taking in the roaring water chasms. It is a well formed, wide, mainly flat track with handrails and board walks in some parts. Rating: Easy. Milford Sound - We drop you directly to the front door of the cruise terminal. You will not need to walk around the foreshore as visitors who drive themselves will have to.
• How much does Milford Sound parking cost? Public parking is $10 per hour. Payment is via a licence plate recognition system. If you are on a tour, such as a Luxe Tour, there is no payment for parking to you.
• What is the Tiaki Promise? Tiaki means to care for people, place and culture. It is promise to care for New Zealand, its people and our culture. Luxe Tours has made the commitment to uphold the values of the Tiaki Promise, including ensuring our guests do as well.
• How much carbon emissions does Luxe Tours produce? We produce approximately 49kg of carbon emissions from our Mercedes vehicle each tour. We offset this via the donation of a native tree for every single guest, to planting in the local area. Each tour will offset approximately 539kg of carbon over the lifetime of the trees planted each day. Read more on our sustainability efforts here.
• What is Luxe Tour's sustainability vision? We don't just talk sustainability for marketing purpose, in fact it really frustrates us to see companies who have promote sustainability as important to them, but don't even have it in their main menu of their website. For Luxe Tours, our mission is to "indulge guests in nature to create a lifelong connection" and we believe this is the best way to highlight the importance of not just sustainable tourism, but for taking an active approach to caring for nature and the environment. Read the next FAQ to hear the simple things we practically do.
• What does Luxe Tours practically do to achieve sustainability? We plant a native tree for every guest aboard Luxe Tours. This one tree offsets approximately 59kg of carbon emissions compared to the 5.45kg of emissions for each guest. We only use plant-based, or fully compostable packaging or paper onboard. All of our waste is either recycled, or placed into one of our worm farm compost bins. The broken down compost and worm 'tea' juice is then distributed back to the nursery who grow and plant the native trees we fund. We contribute to the 'Kea Conservation Trust' for the protection of the beautiful Kea bird you will meet on our tour.
• Why is sustainability so important to Luxe Tours? Like many, we have children who will face a very different future than our own. While we understand our practical steps cannot change the world, we are focused on doing our small part. Every great journey starts with one footstep after all. Fiordland & Milford Sound is our backyard, it is one of the top three visited destinations in New Zealand. It contributes massively to the biodiversity of New Zealand and the world, is home to rare species of wildlife and critically endangered wildlife, and so it is very important for it to be protected so that both nature and humans can enjoy it for the foreseeable future. Check out our full sustainability vision.
• How much does a Milford Sound tour cost? Milford Sound day tours range in price between $170 to $450 depending on where they depart from and the level of experience. Departing from Te Anau, tours range between $170 - $280. Departing from Queenstown, tour range from $200 - $450. Small group tours of 12 - 16 guests will always be a bit more in price due to generally more comfort, space and more stops along the Milford Road.
• How much does a Milford Sound cruise cost? Cruises in Milford Sound with various operators range between $100 and $170 for a two-three hour cruise through the fjord. Read our article here on "Is a Milford Sound cruise worth the money?"
• Is your price fair for a small group Milford Sound tour? We sit in the middle when it comes to pricing for private tours travelling into Milford Sound. We reckon we should be higher as we have such a great tour in our 'unbiased' opinion! We offer a level of comfort and service that is comparable to flying premium class. Our tours are also private and smaller meaning several advantages: Able to access stops and areas that larger buses can't. One on one tour guide questions & answers. More space and comfort inside the van. Less waiting around and waste of time. We are a small group tour which tend to be very popular with guests due to the space they have and spots that we can get into compared to other larger buses.
• What is included in your tour price? Pick up & drop off at your Te Anau accommodation. Luxury van with spacious seating and leg room, arm rests, climate control and filtered air conditioning, overhead bag space, privacy tinted glass & more. Guided tour with expert & specially trained drivers for the Milford Road, including at least 9 photo stops and 2-3 special experiences (depending on weather). 2-Hour Milford Sound guided cruise with RealNZ aboard their premium Milford Haven boat. Chilled complementary water. Other ammenities for comfort. A few extra special treats! Lunch & food can be added as an addition, including full menu options aboard your cruise. For the full Luxe Tours experience, click here!
• What is the breakdown of your Milford Sound tour pricing? 20% Fuel & vehicle expenses 15% Driver & guide 40% Cruise expenses 5% Conservation 5% Passenger ammenities 15% Profit
• Will there be any hidden extra costs? Absolutely not. Everything is included in the price of the tour that you will need. If you would like to have lunch on the cruise, you can either pre-order this when booking with us, or pay for it directly on the boat when you board.
• How often does it rain in Milford Sound? It rains an incredible 182 days on average per year in Milford Sound and the surrounding area. Never fear though, a rainy day is just, if not more beautiful, than a sunny day. Check out our top stop picks for a wet one.
• How much rain does Milford Sound get? On average per year, Milford Sound receives 6,700mm of rain. Compare that to the New Zealand average of 1,100mm per year. Rain in Milford Sound soon turns the area into a corridor of stunning waterfalls. We can't wait to see you splashing in puddles or standing under one of the many glacial waterfalls that your cruise will bring you into. Such fun!
• Can I expect snow on the Milford Road? You should expect snow on the Milford Road at any time of the year, including summer, due to its elevation above sea level of almost 1000 metres at a couple of points. There is a very high chance of snow between the months of May - October and for this reason snow chains should be carried by all vehicles. Black ice is also a significant problem in winter and spring with many shadowed parts of the road that remain dark for most of the day. Extreme care is advised. At Luxe Tours, our drivers are experienced on the road and undertake pre-planning to identify weather and therefore which corners, hills and sections of the road will be potentially dangerous.
• Can it get hot in Milford Sound? Milford Sound in summer averages 19C (66F), although it can often get up to 30C (86F) plus. Sunblock is vital in late spring, summer and early autumn as New Zealand's more clean, pure air means that more harmful UV radiation makes its way to the ground. Having fresh water with you is vital as there are limited opportunities for filling up a drink bottle on both the road and in Milford Sound. It is for this reason at Luxe, we provide complimentary water on our tours, as well as sunblock for our guests.
• Is Milford Sound worth it in the rain? Absolutely yes. If you spend enough time with Fiordland locals they will tell you Milford Sound is actually best experienced with rain. This is because hundreds of waterfalls in the area come alive, creating a labyrinth of water throughout the journey. Milford Sound cruise boats all have shelter, there is plenty of shelter in Milford Sound township and at Luxe Tours for example, we adjust out tour each day to meet the weather and go to the best photo stops accordingly.
• How long is the Milford Sound cruise on this tour? The cruise is two hours, taking you out to where Milford Sound meets the Tasman Sea. Stopping at four main permanent waterfalls, as well as Seal Rock where you are very likely to experience colonies of seals, the cruise is just the right amount of time to experience the wonders of Milford.
• What cruise does Luxe Tours partner with? We partner with RealNZ and have built a strong relationship due to three key factors: Their focus on conservation & sustainability. Safety record and organisation. Their overall experience in Milford Sound and world class knowledge of the area.
• How many people are on the cruise boat? The boat that we use in our partnership with RealNZ has capacity for 300 guests, however to give our guests the best possible experience, RealNZ has committed to only taking 150 on each cruise. This ensures you have ultimate comfort and space to move around the boat to take advantage of different viewing platforms.
• Am I likely to get sea sickness? This very much depends on the individual and the weather, but generally on the whole and from our experience - no. You are not technically at sea, and you are certainly not out in the open for much longer than 20 minutes. Milford Sound is a narrow Fjord which means it is very hard for it to get rough enough to feel the boat moving around. If the weather allows, the cruise will go out to the opening of Milford Sound to one of the big sea colonies. There can be a swell out there which is normal and if you do tend to get a bit of motion sickness, we would simply suggest making sure you are outside in fresh air and keep your eyes on the horizon! For more on sea sickness, check out our helpful article on it here.
• Can I see Milford Sound without a cruise? Yes you can, however we don't recommend it. You can see Milford Sound from the air on a helicopter or fixed wing plane tour through several operators which is a great way to start or finish your time in Milford if your budget allows. However we still highly recommend doing a cruise to experience the fjord from the water, the cascading waterfalls up close and the wildlife encounters.
• What is highly recommended to pack? Insect repellant. Sunblock. Water bottle. Suitable walking shoes (good tread). Warm rain-jacket. Camera. For more on what to pack, see our helpful article here.
• Should I bring money on the tour? We do recommend that you consider bringing money with you. Not because you are going to need it specifically for anything to do with your Luxe tour, but because you may choose to purchase a photo on board your cruise, some extra food, or a souvenir along the way. There are no shops between Te Anau & Milford Sound, however there is the opportunity to spend money in either of those locations. Cash, as well as most credit cards are widely accepted.
• Do I need a professional camera? Absolutely not necessary however if you already have one then by all means bring it along. Most camera phones these days will suffice and with all the features that these have now, it is like having a pro camera in your pocket! It is important to note that 182 days of the year, Milford Sound is wet, so take this into consideration when choosing what very expensive device to bring along with you!
• Should I bring insect repellent? We highly recommend insect repellent. Milford Sound is well known for its main local resident - the mosquito or sandfly. If the conditions are right, these little insects can be prevalent in Milford. They are generally not dangerous to you unless you have any specific allergy or reaction to them.
• Do I need hiking or strong walking shoes? No you do not, unless you are planning on walking on the Milford Track which would be a very seperate experience to your Milford Sound tour. You just need comfortable shoes, ideally closed in, that you are happy walking on well formed dirt & gravel tracks for up to 10 minutes. Interesting fact: Our guides wear All-BIrds wool shoes. All-Birds is a Carbon Neutral business, just like ours!
• What makes Luxe different? We get it. There is a lot of tours to choose from so how do you narrow your choice down? There are tours we would classify as like flying economy, business or first class. There is nothing wrong with any level of them but we consider our transport and tour a first class experience for economy, business and first class guests. We are friendly and welcoming to all and our main goal is for you to treat and pamper yourself during a special day in paradise. Our transport is spacious & comfortable, our guides are knowledgable, enthusiastic & safety conscious, and we have some special inclusions that are best kept a secret for the tour!
• Who owns Luxe Tours? Luxe Tours is owned by two Te Anau locals - Toby and Katelyn, who live and breathe Fiordland National Park every day. From climbing mountains, to spending hours exploring the lakes and rivers of their backyard, Toby and Katelyn know this part of Fiordland like the back of their hand. Even their son Luka has traversed high up into the mountain ranges surrounding Milford Sound from just a few weeks old.
• How did Luxe Tours start? On the drive back from Milford Sound one day with friends who had never been in before , we realised just how much we love showing people around our backyard. It was compounded when a large tour bus stopped for less than 2-minutes at one of the best stops on the road. Surely it could be done better! Our favourite moment is when we enter Fiordland National Park and head into a dense tunnel of native, overhanging forest and our passengers eyes light up. This was our lightbulb moment - we had to show more people.
• Does Luxe Tours have a Department of Conservation permit? Yes we do. This allows us to operate on several tracks off the Milford Road and from this we make a contribution to DOC for the upkeep of the area, and various nature programs designed to protect the biodiversity of Fiordland.
• What tours does Luxe Tours have? We have our base tour - the Milford Sound Day Tour, which is 8.5 - 9-hours in length and includes a Milford Sound Cruise, as well as 11 photo stop opportunities and rest breaks. You travel the Milford Road onboard a luxury Mercedes 12-seater coach with leather seats, USB charging, high performance air conditioning, spacious leg room and are guided by a local expert driver/guide who lives in the area. We then have add-ons to our base tour to maximise your savings on package deals. Our first and most popular add-on is a 30-min helicopter tour in Milford Sound and includes a glacier landing near Fiordland's tallest mountain. You then return to meet your tour coach down the Milford Road, taking 40-mins of driving off your tour. The next add-on option is the very popular Te Anau Glowworm Caves and again you will save some money by adding it on with your Milford Sound Tour. The Te Anau Glow Worm Caves tour is 2.5-hours in length and explores deep under Fiordland the incredible roaring chasms that are surrounded by beautiful glowworms. You do the Glowworms tour the day after your Milford Sound tour. We also have a Doubtful Sound tour add-on which is also quite popular and this is done the day after your Milford Sound Tour but can be changed if desired. The tour is: Coach (30mins) / Cruise (45mins) / Coach (40mins) / Cruise (3-hours) / Coach (40mins) / Cruise (45mins) / Coach (30mins), so is an extensive day out and very enjoyable. Again, you will save money by combining it with a Luxe Tours Milford Sound Tour.
• Is the Milford Road safe to drive ourselves? The Milford Road is absolutely safe to drive in your own vehicle but we urge you to be very vigilant and conscious of the fact that it is a road that demands your 100% attention at all times. It is typically very busy with traffic and has some very narrow sections, as well as large parts that twist and turn constantly. For these reasons, a lot of tourists opt to travel with a tour and experienced driver/guide.
• Are there fuel stations on the Milford Road? No. Your last fill up option until Milford Sound is located in the township of Te Anau. It is our recommendation you fill up here as even in Milford Sound there is only limited supply and limited credit card options. There is also very limited cell reception or mobile data coverage on the Milford Road, making it very tricky to seek help if you do happen to run low on fuel!
• Are there many vehicle accidents on the Milford Road? It would be fair to say that for a single piece of road, the Milford Road has a very high accident rate compared to that of others in New Zealand. On average there are 28 vehicle accidents per year on the Milford Road. Emergency services in the area including ambulance, police and fire urge tourists to travel via group tours where possible so that they have an experienced driver.
• How many seats are in your luxury Mercedes Sprinter van? Our first Mercedes van has space for 11 guests as well as our driver however we only take 9 guests for extra space & comfort. Our second Mercedes van starting in November 2024 has space for 14 guests. This type of van would usually take 18 peple however we have taken out a row of seats for amazing leg room!
• Is it going to get hot in your luxury Mercedes Sprinter van? No and certainly not too cold either! We have invested in a premium air conditioning and heating unit in our luxury van and better yet - you can control your own climate with an above head air vent. Gone are the days of sitting on a hot, stuffy bus trying to convince the driver to turn down the heat!
• What qualifications do your guides have? We spent months designing our tour with your safety, experience and comfort in mind. The next important part is our drivers and guides being to the same standard. Our drivers have: New Zealand Full Driver's Licence. P-Endorsement (New Zealand law requires any commercial passenger driver to hold this). First Aid Certificate. 1000+ hours spent on the Milford Road each.
• What food/drink is available on the Luxe tour? We offer a complimentary morning snack including a sweet or savoury muffin which we source each morning, freshly baked, from a local favourite cafe. On our two hour cruise, in partnership with RealNZ, a full restaurant lunch is available through either pre-order (when you book your tour on out website), or in person on the boat. A full bar is also available so you can enjoy wine, beer or more while taking in the stunning scenery. Throughout the tour, complimentary chilled water is available in your tour vehicle and you can help yourself to a 100% plant-based reusable drink bottle.
• Do you have phone/device charging on board? We have multiple USB (type A) charging ports throughout the coach.

Let's start your journey in luxe...

Our Milford Sound tour from Te Anau includes unique stops, premium cruises, and passionate local guides. Book your Luxe Tour now for an unforgettable journey!

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Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Te Anau

95 Te Anau Terrace , Te Anau , New Zealand .

Premium Small Group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard the top cruise operator, Cruise Milford, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way to see this famous attraction.

Pricing and Conditions

Inclusions: small group tour, fully guided, cruise entry, picnic lunch, bottled water, snacks. Terms: Tours will only run if at least 4 people have booked on the tour, Cheeky Kiwi Travel reserves the right to alter the tour due to weather or operational needs.

Within 24 hours prior to travel – 100% cancellation fee. An amendment fee of NZ$20 per booking will be charged for any bookings changed 7 days prior to travel. Within 7 days fees will be charged in accordance with the policies of other suppliers.

Highlights: Milford Sound Cruise with Cruise Milford, Fiordland National Park. Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel and Mitre Peak and wildlife spotting. Board your cruise with TripAdvisor's No. 1 rated cruise operator in Milford Sound. The Cruise Milford experience offers a boutique cruise on a smaller boat which is less crowded and a crew that offers a more informative and personal tour of Milford Sound. The smaller boat brings you closer to the wildlife and nature including the New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, massive rock faces rising for hundreds of metres and the waterfalls cascading from ancient rainforests high in the mountains. This cruise is unbeatable.

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Milford Sound Tour & CRUISE

Premium milford sound small-group tour, cruise & picnic lunch from queenstown.

Milford Sound Tour & Cruise, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines the amazing return journey to Milford Sound with a boutique Milford Sound Cruise aboard Cruise Milford, the number 1 Trip Advisor rated cruise company. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses that are packed with extras, ensuring your comfort and safety.

Highlights:

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

1.       Queenstown - 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.

2.        Lake Wakatipu – Departing Queenstown we wind our way around Lake Wakatipu, with amazing views of ‘The Remarkables’ Mountain Range and the lake, stopping for photos is a must.

3.        Devils Staircase – 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.

4.        Lake Te Anau – 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. 

5.        Eglington Valley – 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.    

6.        Mirror Lakes – 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.

7.        Lake Gunn – 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.

8.        Hollyford River & Falls Creek – 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.

9.        Darran Mountains – 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.

10.    Homer Tunnel – 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 you will see hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the mountain side.   

11.   Milford Sound – 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). The Cruise Milford experience offers a boutique cruise on a smaller boat which is less crowded and a crew that offers a much more informative and personal tour of Milford Sound. The smaller boat means you get closer to the wildlife and nature including the New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, massive rock faces rising for hundreds of metres out of the sea and the waterfalls cascading from an ancient rainforest high in the mountains. This cruise is unbeatable.

12.   Mitre Peak – 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.  

13.   The Chasm – After your cruise do not fear the adventure is not over, there is the return journey with many more amazing stops. One of the stops during this journey (weather and timing dependent) is The Chasm.  A spectacular bush walk and dramatic views of powerful waterfalls and water sculpted shapes in the rocks.

14.    Pop's View Lookout – 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.

15.    Queenstown – 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.

Inclusions:

• Small Group & Fully Guided Tour
• Cruise Entry
• Picnic Lunch
• Bottled Water & Snacks

Optional Extras:

• One-way plane flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown  
• One way heli flight from Milford to Queenstown

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

For further information on luggage, pickup locations, cancellation policy etc please  read our FAQ's  at the bottom of our home page.