Animal Encounter Te Anau

Milford Sound Tour & Cruise, this small group, fully-guided day trip begins with a pickup from your hotel lobby in one of our luxury Mercedes-Benz vans from Te Anau and dropoff at your hotel in Queenstown. 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:

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

Itinerary:

Te Anau – Your tour begins in the tranquil lakeside town of Te Anau, home to New Zealand’s second-largest lake. After a short exploration and the chance to spot local wildlife, we head to Te Anau Downs, the starting point of the famous Milford Track, where you’ll hear captivating stories and admire stunning lake views.

Eglinton Valley – We enter Fiordland National Park and make our first major stop at Eglinton Valley. With glacier-carved landscapes that look straight out of a movie, this valley sets the scene for the dramatic journey ahead

Mirror Lakes – A short walk leads us to Mirror Lakes, where on a calm day, the reflections of the Earl Mountains in the still waters are so perfect they seem surreal.

Lake Gunn – Next, we visit Lake Gunn, a peaceful alpine lake named after an early explorer. The scenery is ideal for a photo stop and to enjoy a moment of quiet among the mountains.

Hollyford River & Falls Creek – We continue alongside the roaring Hollyford River, stopping to admire Falls Creek and the impressive, thundering waterfall that feeds it.

Darran Mountains – As we ascend into the Darran Mountain range, we'll stop to take in the awe-inspiring views and hopefully spot a Kea, New Zealand’s clever and cheeky alpine parrot.

Homer Tunnel – We pass through the remarkable, hand-carved Homer Tunnel. Emerging on the other side, be prepared for jaw-dropping views and (on rainy days) hundreds of temporary waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs.

Milford Sound – We arrive at world-renowned Milford Sound, where you’ll embark on a boutique cruise with Cruise Milford. Enjoy a more intimate and informative experience on a smaller boat, getting up close to fur seals, towering cliffs, and spectacular waterfalls.

Mitre Peak – During the cruise, marvel at the iconic Mitre Peak, a soaring mountain rising dramatically from the water. One of New Zealand’s most photographed landmarks.

Pop's View Lookout – After your cruise, we begin the return journey. Our first stop is Pop's View, offering panoramic views of the Southern Alps near the start of the Routeburn Track. Your guide will share ancient Māori stories connected to these lands

Te Anau – We return to Te Anau for a short break before continuing our scenic drive toward Queenstown

Devils Staircase – As we follow the shores of Lake Wakatipu, we encounter the winding Devils Staircase, a dramatic stretch of road with epic views perfect for photography

Lake Wakatipu – The drive continues along Lake Wakatipu, offering sweeping vistas of the lake and The Remarkables mountain range. Several photo stops are included to capture the majestic beauty

Queenstown – Your journey concludes in the adventure capital of New Zealand – Queenstown. Your guide will point out highlights as we arrive in the vibrant lakeside city.

Inclusions:

• Small Group & Fully Guided Tour
• Cruise Entry
• Picnic Lunch
• Water available & snacks provided

Optional Extras: 

• One way heli or fixed wing flight from Milford to Queenstown

Please note: Individual and total weight restrictions apply to specific aircraft and flights. Maximum weight limit 116 KG

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