Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Cruise From Queenstown by Air
Your aerial adventure begins with pick-up from your central Queenstown hotel and a short transfer to the airport in time for departure. After meeting your pilot and receiving a safety briefing, jump aboard your fixed wing aircraft and take off over the city, lake, and mountains. Listen to your pilot’s on-board commentary as you soar over the tiny settlement of Paradise, then fly above the vast Skippers Canyon and the glittering Donne Glacier, among other natural landmarks. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of Milford Sound as you come in to land at the edge of the fjord. Head to the boat docks for the second part of your adventure—a cruise around Milford Sound. Marvel at the dramatic UNESCO-listed landscapes as you cruise around the fjord and look out for wildlife such as fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Along the way, spot natural wonders like the 525-foot (160-meter)-high Bowen Falls, the striking hanging valley of Sinbad Gully, and the snow-capped peak of Mitre Peak, one of New Zealand’s most photographed sights. At the end of your cruise, return to the airfield for your return flight and enjoy an alternative route, passing over the Fiordland National Park and taking in dramatic views of the 1,904-foot (580-meter)-high Sutherland Falls. On arrival back in Queenstown, a driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Highlights
- ✓Save hours of driving time by catching flights to and from Milford Sound
- ✓Live on-board commentary ensures you don’t miss anything
- ✓Morning departures mean you’ll be back in Queenstown before dinner
- ✓There’s no need to jostle for space as cruise seats are reserved for you
What you'll see & do
- ✓On arrival that the Air Milford base you will meet your pilot, for a full pre-flight briefing, before embarking on your 35 minuet scenic flight over the Southern Alps, to Milford Sound.
- ✓After takeoff, view Coronet Peak, one of New Zealand's premiere ski fields.
- ✓Fly over the Shotover river and Skippers canyon, this is where gold was discovered in the 1860's. This river became the world's 2nd highest gold bearing river in the world, next to the Klondike in Alaska.
- ✓Fly over the small settlement of Glenorchy, located at the head of Lake Wakatipu. Here you enjoy wonderful views of two braided river mouths joining the lake. The two rivers are the Dart and the Rees, both glacial fed, display wonderful colors as they mix with the lake.
- ✓Fly over the dense beech forest of the Routeburn and Hollyford. valleys. One of new Zealand 'great walks' traverses the Routeburn valley, its a 3-day hike through the valley and over an alpine pass into Fiordland National Park.
- ✓Fly over the main divide of the Southern Alps and into Fiordland National park. One of the first sights you will encounter on arrival in Fiordland National Park is Mt Tutoko, at over 8,900ft / 2,700meters it is Fiordland's highest peak. There are two main glaciers to view here, the Donne and the Age.
- ✓Fly the full length of the fiord, right out to the Tasman sea where you will turn and descend, before coming into land. This part of the flight really makes you appreciate the sheer size of the towering cliffs of the fiord, which rise over a mile high in some parts!
- ✓View the highest peak in Milford Sound, Mitre Peak. It impressively rises directly out of the water of the fiord, to it's summit at 5,560ft / 1,690 meters, which is just over a mile of vertical gain!
- ✓Experience the overhead beauty of Milford Sound
- ✓When your cruise returns, your pilot will meet you and escort you back to the airport. If time allows, the pilot will take you on a short bush walk through the native beech forest. The flight time back to Queenstown is 35 minuets.
- ✓After landing in Milford Sound, your pilot will escort you to the boat docks to board your Milford Sound Nature Cruise.
- ✓On your cruise, numbers are capped at 150 passengers and on this intimate experience, nature guides offer a personal commentary. The boat explores nooks and crannies along the edge of the fiord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail. The boat traverses the full length of the fiord, right out to the Tasman Sea, allowing guests to relax and take in the stunning scenery.
- ✓After taking off in Milford Sound the flight path first takes in another view of the fiord, before tracing south, down the Arthur valley. At the head of this valley, the Sutherland Falls can be viewed, this is New Zealand's highest waterfall, falling impressively 1,900ft / 580 meters to the valley floor below.
- ✓During your cruise, view the Bowen Falls, it is one of Milford Sound's two permanent waterfalls and at 530ft / 162 meter is it's highest. After rainfall, there are hundreds of waterfalls to be viewed in the fiord!
- ✓After once again crossing the main divide of the Southern Alps, taking in stunning views of small alpine lakes and jagged snow capped mountains, the route then traverses the densely forested Greenstone and Caples valleys.
- ✓After emerging from the Greenstone valley, fly over Lake Wakatipu. Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's longest lake at 46 miles / 75 kms, it is also incredibly deep, up to 1,250ft / 380 meters at some points! Queenstown is nestled on the lake's shores, so some great views of the town are enjoyed before landing.
- ✓View the Walter Peak high country station, which is one of New Zealand's largest merino sheep farms.
- ✓View the Remarkable mountain range and Queenstown, before landing back at the Air Milford base for your drop-off back to your accommodation.
- ✓The flight path then begins to track east over the Southern Alps and back towards Queenstown. New Zealand's second largest lake, Lake Te Anau can be viewed, stretching out to the south.
What's included
- ✓Live pilot commentary on board
- ✓Lunch
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotels)
- ✓Reserved seating aboard the Nature Cruise of Milford Sound
- ✓Tea and coffee
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Do not forget to bring a jacket and your camera
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Infant rates apply for 0 - 1 years of age, when the infant is sat on a parents lap, with an infant lap belt
Children must be accompanied by an adult
We provide a pick-up/drop-off service from all centrally located Queenstown accommodation, for an additional cost, please update us with your details. If your accommodation is not centrally located, please let us know and we will send through parking directions.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Cruise From Queenstown by Air
Your aerial adventure begins with pick-up from your central Queenstown hotel and a short transfer to the airport in time for departure. After meeting your pilot and receiving a safety briefing, jump aboard your fixed wing aircraft and take off over the city, lake, and mountains. Listen to your pilot’s on-board commentary as you soar over the tiny settlement of Paradise, then fly above the vast Skippers Canyon and the glittering Donne Glacier, among other natural landmarks. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of Milford Sound as you come in to land at the edge of the fjord. Head to the boat docks for the second part of your adventure—a cruise around Milford Sound. Marvel at the dramatic UNESCO-listed landscapes as you cruise around the fjord and look out for wildlife such as fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Along the way, spot natural wonders like the 525-foot (160-meter)-high Bowen Falls, the striking hanging valley of Sinbad Gully, and the snow-capped peak of Mitre Peak, one of New Zealand’s most photographed sights. At the end of your cruise, return to the airfield for your return flight and enjoy an alternative route, passing over the Fiordland National Park and taking in dramatic views of the 1,904-foot (580-meter)-high Sutherland Falls. On arrival back in Queenstown, a driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Highlights
- ✓Save hours of driving time by catching flights to and from Milford Sound
- ✓Live on-board commentary ensures you don’t miss anything
- ✓Morning departures mean you’ll be back in Queenstown before dinner
- ✓There’s no need to jostle for space as cruise seats are reserved for you
What you'll see & do
- ✓On arrival that the Air Milford base you will meet your pilot, for a full pre-flight briefing, before embarking on your 35 minuet scenic flight over the Southern Alps, to Milford Sound.
- ✓After takeoff, view Coronet Peak, one of New Zealand's premiere ski fields.
- ✓Fly over the Shotover river and Skippers canyon, this is where gold was discovered in the 1860's. This river became the world's 2nd highest gold bearing river in the world, next to the Klondike in Alaska.
- ✓Fly over the small settlement of Glenorchy, located at the head of Lake Wakatipu. Here you enjoy wonderful views of two braided river mouths joining the lake. The two rivers are the Dart and the Rees, both glacial fed, display wonderful colors as they mix with the lake.
- ✓Fly over the dense beech forest of the Routeburn and Hollyford. valleys. One of new Zealand 'great walks' traverses the Routeburn valley, its a 3-day hike through the valley and over an alpine pass into Fiordland National Park.
- ✓Fly over the main divide of the Southern Alps and into Fiordland National park. One of the first sights you will encounter on arrival in Fiordland National Park is Mt Tutoko, at over 8,900ft / 2,700meters it is Fiordland's highest peak. There are two main glaciers to view here, the Donne and the Age.
- ✓Fly the full length of the fiord, right out to the Tasman sea where you will turn and descend, before coming into land. This part of the flight really makes you appreciate the sheer size of the towering cliffs of the fiord, which rise over a mile high in some parts!
- ✓View the highest peak in Milford Sound, Mitre Peak. It impressively rises directly out of the water of the fiord, to it's summit at 5,560ft / 1,690 meters, which is just over a mile of vertical gain!
- ✓Experience the overhead beauty of Milford Sound
- ✓When your cruise returns, your pilot will meet you and escort you back to the airport. If time allows, the pilot will take you on a short bush walk through the native beech forest. The flight time back to Queenstown is 35 minuets.
- ✓After landing in Milford Sound, your pilot will escort you to the boat docks to board your Milford Sound Nature Cruise.
- ✓On your cruise, numbers are capped at 150 passengers and on this intimate experience, nature guides offer a personal commentary. The boat explores nooks and crannies along the edge of the fiord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail. The boat traverses the full length of the fiord, right out to the Tasman Sea, allowing guests to relax and take in the stunning scenery.
- ✓After taking off in Milford Sound the flight path first takes in another view of the fiord, before tracing south, down the Arthur valley. At the head of this valley, the Sutherland Falls can be viewed, this is New Zealand's highest waterfall, falling impressively 1,900ft / 580 meters to the valley floor below.
- ✓During your cruise, view the Bowen Falls, it is one of Milford Sound's two permanent waterfalls and at 530ft / 162 meter is it's highest. After rainfall, there are hundreds of waterfalls to be viewed in the fiord!
- ✓After once again crossing the main divide of the Southern Alps, taking in stunning views of small alpine lakes and jagged snow capped mountains, the route then traverses the densely forested Greenstone and Caples valleys.
- ✓After emerging from the Greenstone valley, fly over Lake Wakatipu. Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's longest lake at 46 miles / 75 kms, it is also incredibly deep, up to 1,250ft / 380 meters at some points! Queenstown is nestled on the lake's shores, so some great views of the town are enjoyed before landing.
- ✓View the Walter Peak high country station, which is one of New Zealand's largest merino sheep farms.
- ✓View the Remarkable mountain range and Queenstown, before landing back at the Air Milford base for your drop-off back to your accommodation.
- ✓The flight path then begins to track east over the Southern Alps and back towards Queenstown. New Zealand's second largest lake, Lake Te Anau can be viewed, stretching out to the south.
What's included
- ✓Live pilot commentary on board
- ✓Lunch
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotels)
- ✓Reserved seating aboard the Nature Cruise of Milford Sound
- ✓Tea and coffee
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Do not forget to bring a jacket and your camera
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Infant rates apply for 0 - 1 years of age, when the infant is sat on a parents lap, with an infant lap belt
Children must be accompanied by an adult
We provide a pick-up/drop-off service from all centrally located Queenstown accommodation, for an additional cost, please update us with your details. If your accommodation is not centrally located, please let us know and we will send through parking directions.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.