Scenic flight or helicopter return from Milford Sound to Queenstown (on request, additional cost)

Food & Accommodation
Accommodation
• With Accommodation Option – One night in a comfortable central 3-star Rotorua hotel with convenient location
• Without Accommodation Option – Day trip only (no overnight)
• Both versions use the same high-quality transport and guiding

Meals
• With Accommodation – Lunch, BBQ dinner, breakfast and snacks
• Without Accommodation – Lunch and snacks (dinner and breakfast not included)
• Fresh local produce featured where possible, with a traditional Kiwi BBQ on the overnight version

✅ What’s Included
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Queenstown
• Modern air-conditioned minibus transport
• Experienced local guide
• Boutique Milford Sound cruise
• Picnic lunch, snacks and refreshments
• All national park fees and entry costs

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Breakfast and dinner
• Optional scenic flight or helicopter return
• Personal items and souvenirs
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Fiordland is known for highly changeable weather year-round.
Summer (Dec–Feb) • Typical daytime: 15–22 °C • Conditions: long days, possible rain showers • Practical note: layers and rain jacket essential
Autumn (Mar–May) • Typical daytime: 12–18 °C • Conditions: beautiful light, fewer crowds • Practical note: warm layers for evenings
Winter (Jun–Aug) • Typical daytime: 8–14 °C • Conditions: snow possible on mountains • Practical note: warm clothing and sturdy shoes
Spring (Sep–Nov) • Typical daytime: 12–18 °C • Conditions: waterfalls at their best • Practical note: waterproof jacket

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Travel insurance documents

Clothing (layered for Fiordland conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Layers including warm fleece and waterproof rain jacket
• Hat, sunglasses and gloves

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Any personal medication

Electronics
• Charged phone and camera
• Portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack
• Reusable water bottle

Fiordland National Park is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area – one of the most pristine wilderness regions on Earth.

Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is a fjord carved by glaciers with some of the highest sea cliffs in the world.

Mitre Peak rises 1,692 metres directly from the sea and is the iconic symbol of the sound.

Homer Tunnel is an impressive one-way tunnel cut through solid rock, completed in 1953.

Mirror Lakes offer perfect reflections of the surrounding mountains on calm days.

Local wildlife includes fur seals, penguins, dolphins and native birds like the kea.

The Milford Road is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand, with dramatic changes in landscape.

Rainfall is frequent and part of what makes the waterfalls spectacular – embrace the weather for the full experience.

Cheeky Kiwi focuses on small group tours with passionate local guides who share genuine stories.

Sustainable practices include supporting local operators and minimising impact in this fragile environment.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 380 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from Queenstown pickup points)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 760 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 13-hour full-day tour (hotel pickup early morning, return late afternoon/evening)
• Small group (comfortable minibus)
• Starts and ends with hotel pickup/drop-off from Queenstown accommodations
• Modern air-conditioned minibus + boutique Milford Sound cruise
• No accommodation included
• Meals: Picnic lunch with local produce, snacks & refreshments
• Highlights: Scenic Milford Road with stops (Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, Lake Gunn, Homer Tunnel), boutique cruise with views of Mitre Peak, towering cliffs and waterfalls, wildlife spotting (seals, dolphins, birds), relaxed pace with photo stops

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 13 hours
• Key locations: Queenstown hotel pickups, Milford Road (Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, Homer Tunnel), Milford Sound (boutique cruise)
• Travel style: Premium small-group day tour with scenic drive and intimate cruise
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Queenstown hotel pickup points is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus radiative forcing for any connecting flights, well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for long scenic minibus + marine cruise operations.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or optional scenic flight return).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 280 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Queenstown pickup points (higher-end mix of car, taxi or short transfers): 30 kg
• All on-tour modern minibus transfers (~480 km round trip, shared small group) + boutique cruise: 250 kg – higher-end diesel + marine factor with low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Day tour only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 60 kg CO₂e

• Picnic lunch with local produce, snacks & refreshments (tourism-level portions and waste): 60 kg – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 40 kg CO₂e

• Scenic stops, boutique cruise, wildlife viewing and commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 380 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset: 2 × 380 kg = 760 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (small-group minibus, boutique cruise, respectful visitation in Fiordland National Park); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

How long is the tour?
Approximately 13 hours door-to-door from Queenstown.

Is the cruise included?
Yes, a boutique Milford Sound cruise is part of the tour.

What meals are provided?
Picnic lunch, snacks, water and refreshments. Breakfast and dinner are not included.

Do I need to be fit?
Easy pace with short walks. Suitable for most fitness levels.

What if the weather is bad?
The tour runs in most conditions – rain often makes the waterfalls even more impressive.

Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, from most Queenstown accommodations.

Can I fly back from Milford Sound?
Yes, optional scenic flight or helicopter (additional cost, on request).

What should I bring?
Layers, rain jacket, comfortable shoes, camera and a sense of adventure.

Is this suitable for children?
Yes, all ages are welcome.

When do tours depart?
Daily departures from Queenstown.