This was a wonderful tour, well run by Air Milford, who did a superb job. The flight to Milford Sound was spectacular, with amazing views of the broader area around Queenstown that you just wouldn't get by driving or taking the bus. We buzzed snow-capped mountains and flew over incredible valleys and waterfalls.
The aircraft they use are Cessna Caravans, with excellent views all round.
The ferry trip on the Sound itself was very good, with a special area for the Air Milford guests on the vessel. I imagine all the tour providers take a similar route near waterfalls, seals and out into the ocean, before returning again through this truly spectacular landscape. I had no idea it would be this grand and amazing - mountains rising 1000 feet straight out of the fjord.
Our flight back to Queenstown took us over even more amazing scenery, where we could see the cirque of Lake Quill with the stunning Sutherland Falls, which has to be one of the most amazing waterfalls Ive ever seen, tumbling almost 2000 feet down the mountainside. Then we flew over the bright blue Lake Erskine, perched thousands of feet in the mountains. Spectacular indeed!
The flight then took us over Lake Wakatipu, landing at Queenstown airport. All of this undertaken in the morning until just after lunchtime, including transfers to and from our hotel.
It beats the whole day on a bus and you get to see so much more. It's not cheap, but it is just amazing and, like a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon or Manhattan, worth going the extra mile in your holiday spending.