Milford Sound

Milford Sound

Milford Sound Private Tours

If visiting Milford Sound is on your bucket list then you want to make sure that you can experience this incredible place in the best way possible. In our opinion a private tour is the only way to truly immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery. Experience a world famous destination away from the crowds.

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most visited locations and this means it can get busy, both at certain times of the day and time of year. Most people will take a day trip from Queenstown on a large coach trip. As there is just the one Milford Road you could end up seeing the same coaches full of people each time you stop. 

However when you opt for a privately guided tour of Milford Sound you can leave Queenstown at a time that suits you. Be privately transported in utter comfort in a luxury vehicle and choose to stop and experience the scenery whenever and wherever you want. Our guides have so much experience in showing our clients the most hidden and special places to explore. Depending on the level of adventure you would like, this could include a short hike in the Fiordland wilderness.

Your guide will then drop you right to the door of the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, ready to board your boutique Nature Cruise. The cruise will take you out onto the waters of Milford Sound to get a sense of the vast scale, mile high cliffs and tumbling waterfalls. After your cruise, experience more of Milford Sound’s best locations before returning to your Queenstown Hotel. This tour a truly magical day out you will never forget.

Queenstown to Milford Sound

Our private Milford Sound tours start at the door of your Queenstown hotel with a personal pick up and greeting from your Guide/Driver in a luxury Mercedes vehicle. Sit back in air conditioned comfort on the leather seats as the road takes you out of Queenstown to follow Lake Whakatipu. Continue to journey south, passing  through rolling hills and pasture fields. A snow capped mountain vista greets you as you enter Te Anau – the gateway town to Fiordland and Milford Sound.

On the journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound your driver will point out scenes of interest and share tales of history, filming locations and local adventure with you. The miles will fly by and before you know it you will be entering the UNESCO World Heritage Fiordland National Park. This is a protected wilderness of temperate rainforest, waterfalls and native birdsong. Join the Milford Road which winds through the mountains to Milford Sound.

The Milford Road

The Milford Road is 120km long from Te Anau through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. This is without doubt one of the world’s most spectacular roads. Traverse through mountain passes, past towering mountains, glaciers and waterfalls. A highlight is the Homer Tunnel, at 1.1 km long it was hand hewn through solid rock in the 1940’s. This opened up Milford Sound, which previously could only be reached by sea or by climbing over a high mountain pass. 

Along the road are several scenic stops.  This includes The Mirror Lakes, The Chasm, Knobs Flat and Eglinton Valley. These stops are popular with the larger coach day tours and can be busy. On a private Milford Sound Tour with Alpine Luxury Tours we can avoid the day crowds and include other, more exclusive and hidden locations to delight you. 

Milford Sound Visitor Terminal

Once you arrive at Milford Sound the view will open up in front of you. Mitre Peak is world famous and rises out of the waters of the Sound. The cruise visitor terminal for Milford Sound is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the main visitor car park but you will be dropped to the door on our private tour. You will arrive in perfect time for your booked boutique cruise and afterwards your guide will be waiting to transport you for your return part of your private tour. 

Milford Sound Cruise

Cruising the water is essential to gain a perspective on the scale of Milford Sound. Mile high cliffs tower above you and waterfalls tumble down the cliffsides. Your boat will even sail close to a waterfall so you can look up and feel the glacial spray on your face. There is also the opportunity to spot wildlife. Dolphins, rare Fiordland Crested penguins and NZ Fur Seals inhabit this area and it is not uncommon to spot all three on your cruise. 

Your Milford Sound cruise will last approximately 2-2.5 hours and on your private tour you will experience one of the best small boat operators. We prefer a smaller boat for your cruise because this gives you a more intimate experience. Your cruise also includes informative commentary.

Returning to Queenstown

After your cruise your private Milford Sound tour continues as you travel back to Queenstown in luxury comfort. This is a full day tour and you are personally dropped back to your Queenstown accommodation at the end of the day. You will be full of the fun, memories and incredible landscapes that you have witnessed. This is truly a bucket list experience, made even more special by choosing a private tour with Alpine Luxury Guides

You can also choose to experience a helicopter trip back to Queenstown from Milford Sound. This way you get to experience the Milford Sound Road and an aerial view of Fiordland National Park with the Middle Earth Waterfalls landing. 

Milford Sound Glaciers and Waterfalls Helicopter Tour

If you are short on time or want to experience the ultimate Milford Sound then our Milford Sound Heli Tour is the way to do it. This includes a pick up in a luxury vehicle from your Queenstown Hotel and transfer to your helicopter. You then experience a flight over Fiordland National Park  to Milford Sound before landing and jumping on your Milford Sound cruise. Afterwards you will be flown to a high mountain peak for 360º views of the UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, before flying on to Earnslaw Burn – scene of the famous Middle Earth Waterfalls. 

Finally your helicopter will return to Queenstown where your driver/guide will transport you back to your Queenstown accommodation after a day that few will get to experience. A gourmet lunch is provided so all you need to bring is your camera. 

2 Day Milford Sound Private Tour – Farm Stay Experience

This is a unique overnight Milford Sound Tour which includes a farm tour, lunch and overnight farmstay. Experience life on a working New Zealand farm, a sheep shearing demonstration, and a chance to meet the friendly farm animals. A hearty Homestead lunch is also included in your experience. 

As with all our private tours you will be met at your Queenstown Hotel and transported in a luxury Mercedes vehicle to Te Anau. Your guide/driver will look after you and ensure every detail of your trip is taken care of. 

Want More?

All our private tours can be customised or combined with other tours. While you are in Queenstown we can provide private sightseeing tours, wine tasting, guided hikes and much more. We can also arrange private airport transfers, dinner transport, golf transfers and other concierge services. Contact us to start planning something amazing. 

Alternatively our Ultimate South Island Tour will show you all the highlights on a multi day privately guided tour. From Queenstown and Milford Sound to Aoraki/Mt. Cook and the West Coast Glaciers. If you have a special interest in LOTR Filming locations, flora and fauna, golf or hunting we can customise special itineraries for you. 

Enquire With Us Today

Alpine Luxury Tours provide award winning private tours that show you places few people get to experience. Enquire today and let us help you plan something memorable. 

Milford Sound Private Tour FAQ’s

Is a private tour the best way to experience Milford Sound?

In our experience this is a hands down YES! Milford Sound is all about the spectacular scenery and wilderness. To fully experience this, it is better to be away from the main day trip crowds on a private, exclusive tour. 

Can I choose my own itinerary on a private Milford Sound day tour?

Yes, Alpine Luxury Tours specialise in creating custom, tailored itineraries to exactly suit the needs of our clients. The only fixed point in our day tours are the Milford Sound cruise times. We partner with the best small boat operators to offer you a more boutique, intimate cruise. Beyond this we can suggest short hikes in locations that most people will never get to experience. We also know all the best places to stop on the Milford Road so that you fully experience this magical place.

Does the Milford Sound day tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is included on our private Milford Sound Tours. Please let us know any dietary considerations when you book with us. 

Is this a Coach Tour?

No, a private tour with Alpine Luxury Tours includes luxury travel in our Mercedes small vehicle fleet. This means leather seats, air conditioning, a private driver / guide and lunch/refreshments provided. You will be the only guests on this tour and everything can be customised to your needs and interests.