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Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly, Two Hour Cruise with Return Flights

Fly in over two national parks, cruise for two hours, fly out a different way.

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a guaranteed window seat, cruise the fiord for two hours past Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls, then fly home on a different route.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 4 Hours 👥 Small group 🔥 Active

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$679 AUD

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

The eight hour round-trip drive to Milford Sound becomes a four to five hour day. You take off from Queenstown and fly over the Central Otago backcountry and the glacier-fed rivers that pour into Lake Wakatipu, then cross Mt Aspiring National Park and the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park with a guaranteed window seat on a fixed-wing aircraft.

On landing you board a boat for a two hour cruise down the 16 kilometre fiord to the Tasman Sea and back: Mitre Peak standing over the head of the fiord, Bowen Falls, Lion Mountain, Seal Rock with its fur seals, and the spray of Stirling Falls. Dolphins and, in season, the rare Fiordland crested penguin are on the lookout list. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are served on board. The flight home takes a different route over the Southern Alps, so the views are new both ways.

Flights depart at 10am and 12:30pm year round, with an 8am departure from November to March. The base is at Frankton near Queenstown Airport, and complimentary return transfers from central Queenstown accommodation are included. Everyone is weighed at check-in for the aircraft's load sheet, there is no room for suitcases or large bags, and lunch is not included, so eat before or after.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Scenic flights both ways on a fixed wing aircraft

  2. 2

    Guaranteed window seat

  3. 3

    Two hour cruise the full 16km of the fiord

  4. 4

    Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Seal Rock, Stirling Falls

  5. 5

    Different flight path on the return

  6. 6

    Over Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks

  7. 7

    Free transfers from central Queenstown

Itinerary at a glance

1 Check-in · Base at Frankton, near Queenstown Airport

Self-drivers arrive 45 minutes before departure; transfer passengers are collected from central Queenstown. Every passenger is weighed for the load sheet and briefed.

1 Flight out · Queenstown to Milford Sound

Over the Central Otago backcountry, the glacier-fed rivers into Lake Wakatipu, then Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks from a guaranteed window seat.

1 On the water · Two hour cruise to the Tasman Sea

Down the 16 kilometre fiord past Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Lion Mountain and Seal Rock to the open sea and back, finishing in the spray of Stirling Falls. Hot drinks on board.

1 Flight home · A different route over the Southern Alps

The return takes a new line across the mountains to Queenstown, landing four to five hours after you checked in.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Return scenic flights on a fixed wing aircraft
  • Guaranteed window seat on all aircraft
  • Two hour scenic cruise on Milford Sound
  • Complimentary return transport from central Queenstown accommodation if required
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate on the cruise
  • Pilot commentary

✕ Not included

  • ✕Lunch
  • ✕Pickups from Airbnbs, private residences and outlying areas such as Arrowtown and Lake Hayes
  • ✕Travel insurance

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in and how early?
    Flights leave from the operator's base at Frankton, next to Queenstown Airport. If you are driving yourself, arrive 45 minutes before departure. If you are using the complimentary transfer from central Queenstown, your pickup time is confirmed after the weather check, roughly an hour and a half before the flight.

  • What time does it leave?
    Departures are 10am and 12:30pm year round, with an extra 8am departure from November to March. Allow four to five hours in total.

  • Are there weight limits?
    All passengers are weighed at check-in on the day so the aircraft can be loaded correctly. There is no fixed cut-off, but if you weigh 130kg or more, tell us when you book so the operator can plan the seating. Infants under two and under 11kg travel on an adult's lap; children aged two to fourteen, or over 11kg, need their own seat.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    There is a weather check about an hour and a half before departure. If the flight cannot operate, you can reschedule or take a full refund. Milford's weather changes fast, so keep your day loose if you can.

  • Can I bring luggage?
    No. There is no room for suitcases, large bags or luggage on the aircraft because of strict weight and balance limits. Bring a small day bag with a jacket, camera, sunglasses and sunscreen, and leave the rest at your accommodation.

  • Is food included?
    Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are served on the cruise, but lunch is not included, so eat before you check in or after you land.

  • Will I get a window seat?
    Yes, every seat on every aircraft is a window seat. The pilot gives commentary throughout both flights, and the return follows a different route so you see new country on the way home.

  • Who can I expect to see on the water?
    Fur seals haul out on Seal Rock most days, dolphins visit regularly, and the Fiordland crested penguin is seasonal. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the waterfalls and Mitre Peak are there every day.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Great experience! The organization is exceptional! Nothing to do, just let yourself be carried along and enjoy. The flight and the cruise are a must! Very good company, nothing but good memories!!"
A

Arnaud

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Just awesome. The flight was exceptional with incredible scenery. I wasn’t sure about the cruise part but the entertaining commentary and beautiful landscape made it worthwhile."
b

badger491

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Amazing! One of the best experiences of my life and the highlight of my time on the South Island. So much fun. The beauty of Milford sound and the whole Queenstown region is indescribably beautiful."
A

Andrew G

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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