Your experience

Discover the best of Fiordland from Queenstown

Set out from Queenstown for an unforgettable journey into New Zealand’s awe-inspiring Fiordland. Your adventure begins aboard a comfortable minibus, where your guide offers insights into the land's rich Maori heritage and the history of past explorers. Enjoy stunning vistas of Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables mountain range framing the landscape, and travel along the famed Devils Staircase road for panoramic views below.

Stops along the way: Scenic treasures and local stories

The itinerary features a series of carefully chosen stops. At Lake Te Anau, take a break by the shimmering waters and perhaps catch a glimpse of local wildlife. Continue into the Eglinton Valley, where the valley floor is carpeted with golden tussock grass and surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Pause at Mirror Lakes for a picture-perfect reflection of the Earl Mountains and at Lake Gunn, home to New Zealand songbirds like fantails and tomtits.

Enjoy stories from your guide about explorers, the unique flora and fauna and the region’s cinematic fame. Many scenes from The Lord of the Rings were shot in these ancient forests and valleys, enhancing the sense of wonder as you travel on.

Carry onward past the tumbling Hollyford River and its dramatic boulder-strewn flows, into the Darran Mountains. Brace yourself for the engineering marvel of the hand-carved Homer Tunnel, hewn through solid rock and emerging on the other side to spectacular alpine beauty.

The Milford Sound cruise: Nature up close

Arriving at Milford Sound, board a small vessel for a cruise unlike any other. Glide past Mitre Peak, its sharp summit rising directly from the still waters, and get close enough to feel the spray from crashing waterfalls. The rainforested cliffs, often shrouded in cloud, reveal seals resting on rocky outcrops and offer endless photographic opportunities. Enjoy commentary on the natural history and observe the timeless landscapes carved by glacial forces.

For even more breathtaking views, pause at Pop's View Lookout on your return. Here, survey the Hollyford Valley spread beneath you, thick with native forest and ever-present wildlife.

The tour maintains an intimate pace with plenty of stops for walks, pictures and refreshments, making the best of each location. By day’s end, return to Queenstown with lasting memories of Fiordland’s wild, pristine beauty.

Sample itinerary

• Depart from Queenstown in a comfortable minibus

• Pause at Lake Wakatipu and the Devils Staircase

• Stop at Lake Te Anau and learn from your guide

• Explore Eglinton Valley and see Mirror Lakes

• Visit Lake Gunn and the Hollyford River at Falls Creek

• Pass through the Darran Mountains and hand-built Homer Tunnel

• Arrive at Milford Sound and board your cruise

• View Mitre Peak and waterfalls, spot local wildlife

• Enjoy Pop's View Lookout for a panoramic perspective

• Return to Queenstown, recharged by nature

Book your From Queenstown: Premium Milford Sound Tour with Cruise tickets now!