Small Group Travel & Cruise

Discover Milford Sound with our small-group journeys from Te Anau. Travel the world-famous Milford Road in a customised glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter vehicle, taking in Fiordland's beech forests, alpine valleys, and waterfalls with easy interaction with your driver-guide. Starting from the gateway to Fiordland means a shorter travel day and more time to soak it all in.

Te Anau is where the Milford Road begins, and as Milford Sound's original operator, with 70+ years in the fiord, we have been travelling it longer than anyone. With a maximum of 12 guests aboard a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter vehicle, your driver-guide can stop where the moment calls for it: Mirror Lakes on a still morning, the Eglinton Valley when the light is right. Onboard, you'll find 12 leather reclining seats, Wi-Fi, USB and USB-C charging, and a refillable chilled water dispenser. At the fiord, your journey pairs with your choice of the Discover More Cruise or the fully hosted Captain's VIP Cruise, two different ways to experience Milford, both with the local knowledge and friendly team we're known for.

Small group travel & Discover More Cruise

from $359.00

Depart Te Anau and wind through the heart of Fiordland National Park aboard a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter, sharing the journey with a maximum of 12 guests. With the Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes and Homer Tunnel along the way, the Milford Road is an experience in itself, and your driver-guide brings it to life with local knowledge and unhurried stops. At Milford Sound, step aboard the Discover More Cruise for our longest time on the water, with a dedicated Nature Guide sharing the stories behind the fiord's waterfalls, wildlife and sheer granite walls.

Book Now Find out more

Small group travel & Captain's VIP Cruise

from $439.00

The most relaxed way to experience Milford Sound, hosted from start to finish. Your day begins in Te Anau with a small-group journey through Fiordland National Park aboard a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter, before you're welcomed aboard a Milford Sound Nature Cruise with priority boarding and exclusive access to the Captain's VIP Lounge. Settle into your private onboard space and enjoy hot and cold dishes with a range of beverages, all-inclusive, as you cruise the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea.

Book Now Find out more

See all Specials

Introductory Offer - Small Group Travel & Discover More Cruise

Be among the first to try Small Group Travel. Reach Milford Sound from Queenstown or Te Anau in a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter, just 12 guests, then settle in for our Discover More Cruise - the longest, most immersive cruise on the fiord. Enjoy $10 off per adult. Book by 31 October 2026, travel any future date.

Book Now More info

Introductory Offer - Small Group Travel & Captain's VIP Cruise

Introducing Small Group Travel, fully hosted. Travel to Milford Sound from Queenstown or Te Anau in a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter, just 12 guests, then settle into the private Captain's VIP Lounge - priority boarding, a private viewing deck and all-inclusive food and drinks. Enjoy $10 off per adult. Book by 31 October 2026, travel any future date.

Book Now More info

Christmas Party Wine Tour Charters

Discover Gibbston Valley, Queenstown style. From 14 November to 20 December, our private charters visit three boutique wineries for tastings across 15+ wines, plus a pizza and platter lunch, no driving required. Six hours, door to door from Queenstown, so your team can relax and unwind. The perfect end-of-year celebration.

Book Now More info

FAQ

What is small group travel?

Small group travel is a more personal way to experience Milford Sound, with fewer guests on board and an unhurried pace. Rather than journeying in a large coach, you'll travel with a smaller group of like-minded explorers in a Mercedes Sprinter vehicle, with plenty of space, time and breathing room to take it all in. Explore the glass roof, 12 leather seats and every detail of our Small Group Travel vehicles with a 360° virtual tour https://nz360.net/26062701/

How many guests are in the group?

Our small group experiences carry a maximum of 12 guests in a Mercedes Sprinter vehicle. It's a sociable, friendly group size, small enough that you'll never feel lost in a crowd.

What vehicle will we travel in?

A Mercedes Sprinter vehicle fitted with 12 leather seats, a glass roof for skyward views of Fiordland, onboard Wi-Fi, USB and USB-C charging at every seat, and a refillable chilled water dispenser. It's a comfortable, contemporary way to journey between Queenstown and Milford Sound.

Who is small group travel best suited to?

It suits travellers who value space, time and a more personal pace. Couples, solo travellers, friends and small parties all enjoy small group travel, it's simply another way to experience Milford Sound, chosen for the kind of day you'd like to have.

Will I be travelling with people I don't know?

You may be, and many of our guests tell us this is part of the appeal. Small group travel naturally creates a friendly, sociable feel, and the shared experience of Fiordland tends to bring people together. If you've booked as a couple, family or small group of friends, you'll still travel as part of the wider group.

Where does the day begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off arrangements are confirmed at the time of booking. Our reservations team is happy to help arrange the most convenient meeting point, depending on where you're staying in Queenstown.

Is small group travel suitable for guests with limited mobility?

The Mercedes Sprinter vehicle has a step-in entry, and our cruise vessels are accessible for most guests. If you or anyone in your party has specific mobility needs, please let our reservations team know when you book and we'll happily talk through the day with you.

Are children welcome?

Yes, families are very welcome. Small group travel works well for families who'd prefer a quieter, more personal day out. Please share children's ages when you book so we can plan for everyone's comfort.

What should I bring, and what if the weather turns?

Comfortable layers, sturdy walking shoes and a waterproof jacket are a good idea - Milford Sound is one of the world's wettest places, and the weather plays a big part in what makes it so spectacular. A camera or phone is a must, and we'll take care of the rest along the way.

How do I book, and what is your cancellation policy?

You can book directly through our website, by phone, or through a travel agent. Our cancellation terms are shared with your booking confirmation, and our reservations team is happy to walk you through them if you have questions before you commit.

What is the Captain's VIP Lounge?

The Captain's VIP Lounge is Southern Discoveries' exclusive Milford Sound experience. Southern Discoveries is the only Milford Sound operator with a private onboard room and viewing deck. Guests receive priority boarding, dedicated hosting and access to private onboard spaces, with all-inclusive hot and cold dishes and a range of beverages served throughout the cruise, while still being free to move around the vessel.

How small is the group?

Your road journey is in a glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter with a maximum of 12 guests, so there's plenty of room and closer interaction with your driver-guide. On the fiord, the Captain's VIP Lounge gives you private onboard spaces with dedicated hosting, while you're free to move around the vessel.

What should I bring?

Dress in warm layers and bring a waterproof jacket, Fiordland’s weather can change quickly, and the fiord is at its most dramatic in the rain. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the scenic stops, and don’t forget your camera.

How is this different from the Small Group Travel & Discover More option?

Both include the same glass-roof Mercedes Sprinter journey with a maximum of 12 guests. The Discover More option gives you the longest cruise on the fiord (up to 2 hours 15 minutes) with a Nature Guide and picnic lunch; the Captain’s VIP option is the fully hosted day, priority boarding, a private lounge and deck, a dedicated host and all-inclusive dining. It’s a choice of experience style.

Is the Captain’s VIP Lounge available without the Mercedes Sprinter journey?

Yes, the Captain’s VIP Lounge is also available for guests making their own way to Milford Sound. Speak to our team for details.

More FAQ's

Get in touch

in New Zealand

0800 264 536

Overseas

+64 3 441 1137

reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz