Glenorchy Air Review - Queenstown to Milford Sound Scenic Flight + Southern Discoveries Cruise
Watch my Glenorchy Air review of the Fly Cruise Fly package: a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound over Fiordland, then the full Southern Discoveries cruise through the UNESCO site and back. The Glenorcy Air Milford Sound tour starts at Queenstown Airport, and so does my review. I talk through parking at the terminal, show you where to meet the crew and reveal the short walk out to the aircraft. This is the Fly Cruise Fly package, a round trip by air out to the natural wonder and back. I will show you exactly how the Queenstown to Milford Sound flight works before you ever leave the ground. This Glenorchy Air review unfolded on a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, a high-wing turboprop where every passenger gets a window seat. I show the layout, what the view is actually like once you climb out over the ranges, and how bumpy it got on the day. This scenic flight crosses Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, with mountain peaks and glaciers below the whole way in. On the ground I walk from Milford Sound Airport across to the cruise terminal, then step into my Southern Discoveries review. I cover the ship layout, the food and drink inclusions and what the cruise is genuinely like on board, including how busy it gets with the crowds. Out on the water it passes Stirling Falls, Mitre Peak, Lion Mountain and wildlife including seals and dolphins, with plenty of room for photos. That Southern Discoveries Milford Sound cruise runs the length of the fiord before turning back, which is what makes it a proper scenic cruise rather than a quick look. After the boat I rejoin the Glenorchy Air plane for a different route south, so the flight home is a fresh set of views rather than a repeat of the way in. If you are weighing up the best Milford Sound tour from Queenstown, this package puts the scenic flight and cruise into one day. This is why I rate it as a best cruise from Queenstown, If you can afford it! I go through the ticketing, Glenorchy Air price and the family package fare so you can judge it against a full day driving each way instead. It's certainly the easiest way to do a Queenstown to Milford Sound day tripas you don't lose hours on the road, and it earns a spot on any short list of the best things to do out of Queenstown. I cover the whole flight and cruise across both Glenorchy Air legs, and give you my honest read on whether it is worth the money. This Glenorchy Air scenic flight flies out of Queenstown, and by the end of this review you will know what the day feels like, what you get for the fare and who it suits. Contents 0:00 Glenorchy Air Flight Review 0:36 Queenstown Airport Check-In 1:01 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Plane 1:28 Scenic Flight Over the Alps 3:58 First Views of Milford Sound 5:19 Walk to the Cruise Terminal 5:44 Southern Discoveries Cruise Review 7:02 Milford Sound Wildlife and Waterfalls 8:24 Return Flight to Queenstown 9:20 Ticket Prices 10:09 Is It Worth It? I'm Chris Stead, an award-winning journalist, travel editor and creator of the Motivated Travel Show. I produce premium, honest, cinematic travel reviews and guides designed to help you travel smarter, better and with more confidence across Australia, Asia and beyond. This video is part of my New Zealand travel series on the Motivated Travel Show. Watch for my other Queenstown and South Island guides, reviews and day trips on the channel. #milfordsound #queenstown #newzealandtravel #unescoworldheritage #motivatedtravel