Milford Sound Small-Group Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau
by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$598Overview
This full-day small-group tour starts in the town of Te Anau, where you may see local wildlife before traveling along Lake Te Anau. The first stop is Te Anau Downs, the beginning of the Milford Track, where the guide will share stories and highlight the views. Next, the tour enters Fiordland National Park with a stop at Eglinton Valley, a wide glacial valley known for dramatic scenery. The group then takes a short walk at Mirror Lakes to see reflections of the Earl Mountains. Afterward, there is a brief stop at Lake Gunn, named after a well-known explorer. Nearby, the route passes the Hollyford River and Falls Creek, where the first of several waterfalls can be viewed. At Pops View Lookout, the guide explains Maori explorer history as the group enjoys views of the Southern Alps and the start of the Routeburn Track. The tour continues climbing into the Darran Mountains, with a stop to look for Kea parrots, native alpine birds known for their colorful feathers. Then the group drives through the hand-built Homer Tunnel, hearing stories about its construction as they descend toward Milford Sound. At Milford Sound, participants board a smaller boat for a two-hour cruise operated by Cruise Milford. This boat allows closer views of wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, towering rock faces, and waterfalls cascading from rainforest-covered mountains. During the cruise, the group sees Mitre Peak, the steep triangular mountain rising above the water. After the cruise, the tour returns to Te Anau with additional stops and breaks along the way. Lunch, snacks, and water are included throughout the day. The tour runs in modern minibuses and is led by guides who provide commentary and ensure comfort and safety. The total duration of the tour is about nine hours.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Te Anau
The tour begins in the town of Te Anau, where you may see local animals and wildlife. The group then travels along Lake Te Anau to Te Anau Downs, the starting point of the Milford Track, with stories and views shared by the guide.
Eglinton Valley
Entering Fiordland National Park, the tour stops in Eglinton Valley, a glacial valley with scenery that has been used in film. The valley sets the tone for the journey deeper into the park.
10 min
Mirror Lakes Walk
A short walk here leads to views of Mirror Lakes, where the reflections of the Earl Mountains create mirror images, offering a chance for memorable photos.
10 min
Lake Gunn
A brief stop at Lake Gunn, named after an explorer, allows time for photos and enjoying the quiet surroundings. Nearby, the route passes the Hollyford River, a fast-flowing river with rapids and large boulders, and the first waterfall at Falls Creek is visible.
10 min
Drive-by
The tour continues along the Hollyford River, passing additional waterfalls including Falls Creek, noted for their impressive flow.
Pops View Look Out
At Pops View Lookout, the group stops to see elevated views of the Southern Alps and the start of the Routeburn Track. The guide shares stories about early Maori explorers here.
10 min
Darran Mountains Stop
Climbing higher into the Darran Mountains, the tour pauses to take photos and look for Kea parrots, native alpine birds known for their size and colorful feathers.
10 min
Homer Tunnel
The group drives through the hand-carved Homer Tunnel while hearing about its history. On exiting, the valley slopes steeply toward Milford Sound, with numerous waterfalls visible on rainy days.
Milford Sound
At Milford Sound, passengers board a smaller boat for a two-hour cruise operated by Cruise Milford. The boat offers close views of wildlife such as New Zealand fur seals, high rock faces, and waterfalls flowing from rainforest-covered mountains.
120 min
Mitre Peak
During the cruise, the group sees Mitre Peak, a steep triangular mountain rising prominently above the reflective waters of Milford Sound.
5 min
Te Anau
The return journey to Te Anau includes several stops and breaks, with the guide providing commentary during the fully guided trip back.
5 min
Meeting point
If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select this location for now. You can update this later!
End point
If not being collected from one of our hotel locations, please meet your guide at the bus stop by public toilets.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Milford Sound Small-Group Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau
by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$598Overview
This full-day small-group tour starts in the town of Te Anau, where you may see local wildlife before traveling along Lake Te Anau. The first stop is Te Anau Downs, the beginning of the Milford Track, where the guide will share stories and highlight the views. Next, the tour enters Fiordland National Park with a stop at Eglinton Valley, a wide glacial valley known for dramatic scenery. The group then takes a short walk at Mirror Lakes to see reflections of the Earl Mountains. Afterward, there is a brief stop at Lake Gunn, named after a well-known explorer. Nearby, the route passes the Hollyford River and Falls Creek, where the first of several waterfalls can be viewed. At Pops View Lookout, the guide explains Maori explorer history as the group enjoys views of the Southern Alps and the start of the Routeburn Track. The tour continues climbing into the Darran Mountains, with a stop to look for Kea parrots, native alpine birds known for their colorful feathers. Then the group drives through the hand-built Homer Tunnel, hearing stories about its construction as they descend toward Milford Sound. At Milford Sound, participants board a smaller boat for a two-hour cruise operated by Cruise Milford. This boat allows closer views of wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, towering rock faces, and waterfalls cascading from rainforest-covered mountains. During the cruise, the group sees Mitre Peak, the steep triangular mountain rising above the water. After the cruise, the tour returns to Te Anau with additional stops and breaks along the way. Lunch, snacks, and water are included throughout the day. The tour runs in modern minibuses and is led by guides who provide commentary and ensure comfort and safety. The total duration of the tour is about nine hours.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Te Anau
The tour begins in the town of Te Anau, where you may see local animals and wildlife. The group then travels along Lake Te Anau to Te Anau Downs, the starting point of the Milford Track, with stories and views shared by the guide.
Eglinton Valley
Entering Fiordland National Park, the tour stops in Eglinton Valley, a glacial valley with scenery that has been used in film. The valley sets the tone for the journey deeper into the park.
10 min
Mirror Lakes Walk
A short walk here leads to views of Mirror Lakes, where the reflections of the Earl Mountains create mirror images, offering a chance for memorable photos.
10 min
Lake Gunn
A brief stop at Lake Gunn, named after an explorer, allows time for photos and enjoying the quiet surroundings. Nearby, the route passes the Hollyford River, a fast-flowing river with rapids and large boulders, and the first waterfall at Falls Creek is visible.
10 min
Drive-by
The tour continues along the Hollyford River, passing additional waterfalls including Falls Creek, noted for their impressive flow.
Pops View Look Out
At Pops View Lookout, the group stops to see elevated views of the Southern Alps and the start of the Routeburn Track. The guide shares stories about early Maori explorers here.
10 min
Darran Mountains Stop
Climbing higher into the Darran Mountains, the tour pauses to take photos and look for Kea parrots, native alpine birds known for their size and colorful feathers.
10 min
Homer Tunnel
The group drives through the hand-carved Homer Tunnel while hearing about its history. On exiting, the valley slopes steeply toward Milford Sound, with numerous waterfalls visible on rainy days.
Milford Sound
At Milford Sound, passengers board a smaller boat for a two-hour cruise operated by Cruise Milford. The boat offers close views of wildlife such as New Zealand fur seals, high rock faces, and waterfalls flowing from rainforest-covered mountains.
120 min
Mitre Peak
During the cruise, the group sees Mitre Peak, a steep triangular mountain rising prominently above the reflective waters of Milford Sound.
5 min
Te Anau
The return journey to Te Anau includes several stops and breaks, with the guide providing commentary during the fully guided trip back.
5 min
Meeting point
If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select this location for now. You can update this later!
End point
If not being collected from one of our hotel locations, please meet your guide at the bus stop by public toilets.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.