- 1
Air Milford
Upon arrival at the Air Milford base, you will meet your pilot for a comprehensive pre-flight briefing.
You will then embark on a 35-minute scenic flight over the Southern Alps, heading towards Milford Sound.
· 15 min
- 2
Coronet Peak Ski Area
After takeoff, admire Coronet Peak, one of New Zealand's premier ski destinations.
· Non-stop passage
- 3
Flight over Shotover River and Skippers Canyon
Fly over the Shotover River and Skippers Canyon, an area renowned for gold discoveries in the 1860s.
This river was once the world's second-richest gold-bearing river, surpassed only by the Klondike in Alaska.
· Non-stop passage
- 4
Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
Soar over the small settlement of Glenorchy, situated at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
Enjoy stunning views of the braided mouths of the Dart and Rees rivers as they meet the lake.
These glacial-fed rivers display vibrant colors as they blend with the lake's waters.
· Non-stop passage
- 5
Routeburn Track
Fly over the dense beech forests of the Routeburn and Hollyford valleys.
One of New Zealand's 'Great Walks' traverses the Routeburn Valley, a three-day hike through the valley and over an alpine pass into Fiordland National Park.
· Non-stop passage
- 6
Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Fly over the main divide of the Southern Alps and enter Fiordland National Park.
One of the first landmarks you'll see is Mt Tutoko, Fiordland's highest peak at over 8,900ft / 2,700 meters.
Observe two main glaciers: the Donne and the Age.
· Non-stop passage
- 7
Milford Sound
Fly the entire length of the fiord, out to the Tasman Sea, before turning to descend.
This part of the flight highlights the immense scale of the fiord's towering cliffs, some rising over a mile high!
· Non-stop passage
- 8
Mitre Peak
Admire Mitre Peak, the highest peak in Milford Sound, rising dramatically from the water to its summit at 5,560ft / 1,690 meters.
This represents a vertical gain of just over a mile directly from the water's surface.
· Non-stop passage
- 9
Milford Sound
Experience the breathtaking overhead beauty of Milford Sound.
· Non-stop passage
- 10
Return Flight and Optional Bush Walk
Upon your cruise's return, your pilot will meet you and escort you back to the airport.
If time permits, your pilot will lead you on a short bush walk through the native beech forest.
The return flight to Queenstown is 35 minutes.
· Non-stop passage
- 11
Boarding the Milford Sound Nature Cruise
After landing in Milford Sound, your pilot will guide you to the boat docks to board your Milford Sound Nature Cruise.
· Non-stop passage
- 12
Milford Sound Nature Cruise Experience
Numbers on the cruise are limited to 150 passengers for an intimate experience, with nature guides providing personal commentary.
The boat explores the fiord's nooks and crannies, approaching sheer rock faces for detailed views of flora and fauna.
The cruise covers the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, allowing guests to relax and absorb the stunning scenery.
· 1 h 45 min· Admission included
- 13
Flight over Arthur Valley and Sutherland Falls
After taking off from Milford Sound, the flight path offers another view of the fiord before heading south down the Arthur Valley.
At the head of this valley, you can view Sutherland Falls, New Zealand's highest waterfall, cascading an impressive 1,900ft / 580 meters to the valley floor.
· Non-stop passage
- 14
Bowen Falls
During your cruise, admire Bowen Falls, one of Milford Sound's two permanent waterfalls and its highest at 530ft / 162 meters.
After rainfall, hundreds of additional waterfalls can be seen throughout the fiord!
· 5 min
- 15
Greenstone and Caples Tracks
After recrossing the main divide of the Southern Alps, with stunning views of small alpine lakes and jagged snow-capped mountains, the route traverses the densely forested Greenstone and Caples valleys.
· Non-stop passage
- 16
Lake Wakatipu
Emerging from the Greenstone Valley, fly over Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake at 46 miles / 75 kms.
The lake is also remarkably deep, reaching up to 1,250ft / 380 meters in some areas.
Queenstown is situated on the lake's shores, offering excellent views of the town before landing.
· Non-stop passage
- 17
View of Walter Peak High Country Station
See Walter Peak high country station, one of New Zealand's largest merino sheep farms.
· Non-stop passage
- 18
Flight over Remarkables and Queenstown
View the Remarkables mountain range and Queenstown before landing back at the Air Milford base for your drop-off.
This final approach offers spectacular views of the town and surrounding mountains.
· 15 min
- 19
Lake Te Anau
The flight path then begins to track east over the Southern Alps, returning towards Queenstown.
You will be able to view Lake Te Anau, New Zealand's second-largest lake, stretching out to the south.
· Non-stop passage