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New Zealand
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Southland
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Southland District
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Milford Sound
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Tours & Activities
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Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Nature Cruise
4h30
About this activity
Your tour starts with pickup at your Queenstown hotel and transfer to the airport, where you meet your professional pilot. After a safety briefing, take your seat and set off to Milford Sound, located within the UNESCO World Heritage–listed regions of Te Wahipounamu and Fiordland National Park.
Large picture windows allow for optimal viewing throughout your flight as your pilot provides informative details about the terrain below. Marvel at gorgeous mountain landscapes cut with blue waterways, dusted by snow and framed by dramatic clouds and light.
After a gentle landing at the airstrip in Milford Sound, trade your wings for watercraft. Board your boat, which carries a maximum of only 75 people, for a 2.25-hour cruise. The smaller-sized craft (compared to up to 300 passengers, which other Milford Sound cruises accommodate) provides a more intimate experience and allows your captain to get within touching distance of cliffs and waterfalls. You can even taste pure glacier-melt water from the 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls.
Expert naturalists aboard your boat share details about the geology of this glacier-carved region and any wildlife that you might see, such as birds, seals, dolphins and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.
When booking, you have the option to pre-order a boxed lunch to be served during your cruise (sample menu below); otherwise, purchase a meal or snack from the onboard cafe. Complimentary tea and coffee are available for some liquid warmth as you travel through Milford Sound.
You are welcome to visit the captain’s bridge to learn about boat operations firsthand during the return voyage. At the end of your boat tour, enjoy a second chance to soak up the scenery as you fly back to Queenstown.
Sample boxed lunch menu (subject to change):
• Ham and cheese roll
• Chicken drumstick
• Seasonal salad with dressing
• Soup and bread (winter only)
• Cheese and crackers
• Packaged biscuit
• Chocolate bar
• Juice, tea and coffee
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Large picture windows allow for optimal viewing throughout your flight as your pilot provides informative details about the terrain below. Marvel at gorgeous mountain landscapes cut with blue waterways, dusted by snow and framed by dramatic clouds and light.
After a gentle landing at the airstrip in Milford Sound, trade your wings for watercraft. Board your boat, which carries a maximum of only 75 people, for a 2.25-hour cruise. The smaller-sized craft (compared to up to 300 passengers, which other Milford Sound cruises accommodate) provides a more intimate experience and allows your captain to get within touching distance of cliffs and waterfalls. You can even taste pure glacier-melt water from the 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls.
Expert naturalists aboard your boat share details about the geology of this glacier-carved region and any wildlife that you might see, such as birds, seals, dolphins and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.
When booking, you have the option to pre-order a boxed lunch to be served during your cruise (sample menu below); otherwise, purchase a meal or snack from the onboard cafe. Complimentary tea and coffee are available for some liquid warmth as you travel through Milford Sound.
You are welcome to visit the captain’s bridge to learn about boat operations firsthand during the return voyage. At the end of your boat tour, enjoy a second chance to soak up the scenery as you fly back to Queenstown.
Sample boxed lunch menu (subject to change):
• Ham and cheese roll
• Chicken drumstick
• Seasonal salad with dressing
• Soup and bread (winter only)
• Cheese and crackers
• Packaged biscuit
• Chocolate bar
• Juice, tea and coffee
Included
- Round-trip flight
- Boat cruise
- Tea and coffee
- Live commentary on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
- Please bring a warm, waterproof jacket, and wear non-slip shoes, insect repellent and sun protection
Features
Original
100%
Tourism
75%
Adrenaline
70%
Cultural
15%
Reviews
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This was an excellent and well worth the expense. We had a very fantastic trip. Flight was gorgeous, pilot tried to tell us interesting things, the cruise was great and food delicious.
Great tour! The flight over to Milford was a great experience and it was awesome flying with Air Milford. The cruise was amazing. Small hiccup on the flight back but it was smoothly adjusted for. Highly recommended.
This really is one of those special life experiences. Apart from getting you to Milford Sound the flight itself is worth the trip. Seeing the lakes and mountains from above is a breathtaking experience. This trip is subject to weather conditions but the customer care we received was first class.
This was a tremendous excursion. I was mostly looking forward to the cruise, but the flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound was really even more spectacular. We flew with Hank, the owner of Air Milford, and he was very professional, courteous and an excellent tour guide as well as pilot. The cruise also lived up to expectations, even though it was cloudy and cold. Highly recommended.
The tour was wonderful, just a 30 minute flight each way rather than a 5 hour drive! The Milford Sound was spectacular and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Be wary of bad weather though as spoke to a few people who couldn't do flights for that reason, even if it looks like a lovely day in queenstown.
It was a amazing trip. The best part of this trip is on the plane. It is really beautiful looking down at snow mountains, rivers, lakes， farms and sea.
Amazing view that worth every dollars! The pilot was very experienced and knowledgeable. It sure beats having to drive for hours with little kids in tow.