Premium plus Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau
Luxe Tours' Premium plus tour takes our classic Te Anau to Milford Sound day tour and adds some extra touches for a luxurious twist.
The standout feature is a sit-down restaurant lunch at Milford Sound Lodge after your cruise, giving you the chance to spend more time at Milford Sound itself. Combined with an earlier morning cruise and our most spacious vehicle, the Premium plus is a great option for visitors who want to get that little bit extra out of their journey to Milford Sound.
This tour operates from November through to the end of April, and here we outline what’s included and what to expect from the Premium plus experience.
Key Takeaways
Day tour from Te Anau with a 7:30 AM pick up, returning by approximately 5:00 PM
Includes a two-hour morning cruise on the Milford Haven at 10:30 AM, timed for quieter conditions on the water
Sit-down restaurant lunch at Milford Sound Lodge's Pio Pio restaurant, with an entrée, main, and drink included
Travel in Luxe's most spacious and comfortable van, limited to just 10 guests
Barista coffee, tea, or juice, and a cafe muffin included on departure
Up to 7 scenic stops along the Milford Road on the return journey, with quieter roads and viewpoints
Premium touches throughout the day
What Makes the Premium plus Different
The Premium plus builds on our classic Milford Sound day tour from Te Anau, with a few key additions that bring some extra comfort and relaxation to the day.
Restaurant Lunch at Milford Sound Lodge
The biggest difference is the included lunch at Milford Sound Lodge's Pio Pio restaurant. After your cruise, rather than heading straight back to Te Anau, you'll spend time from approximately 12:30 to 2:00 PM enjoying a sit-down meal in one of the most scenic restaurant settings in Fiordland.
You'll choose an entrée, main, and drink from an exclusive Luxe menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. The lodge is nestled in native rainforest with mountains all around, so it's a chance to slow down, enjoy great food, and take in the surroundings before the return journey.
Relaxing with a meal also means you spend more time at Milford Sound, extending your visit beyond the cruise itself
Our Most Spacious Vehicle
The Premium plus tour runs in Luxe's most spacious and comfortable van, limited to a maximum of 10 guests. The van features extra-wide leather seats with additional padding, generous legroom, USB charging ports, and climate-controlled air conditioning.
This van provides the most space per guest of any of our tours, making for a very comfortable day on the road.
Quieter Timing
The Premium plus is strategically timed to avoid the busiest periods on the Milford Road. Your 10:30 AM cruise means you'll be on the water before the majority of day-trippers from Queenstown arrive, so you'll experience a quieter cruise with calmer morning water conditions.
On the return journey, you'll be driving back to Te Anau after the first wave of morning traffic has passed through and before the afternoon rush heads back. This means many of the scenic stops along the Milford Road will be quiet, often with just your tour group enjoying them.
Premium Touches
Alongside the key differences, the Premium plus also includes a range of thoughtful extra touches throughout the day to make the journey feel luxurious from start to finish.
Your Day: The Full Itinerary
7:30 AM: Pick Up and Departure
Your guide picks you up from your Te Anau accommodation at 7:30 AM. You'll start the day with your choice of barista coffee, tea, or juice and a café muffin (you can choose your drink and sweet or savoury muffin when you book).
7:30 AM to 10:00 AM: Milford Road to Milford Sound
The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound takes you through Fiordland National Park along the famous Milford Road. You'll make one to two scenic stops on the way, plus a bathroom break at Knobs Flat.
The morning drive is focused on getting you to Milford Sound in time for the 10:30 AM cruise, with the majority of scenic stops saved for the quieter return journey in the afternoon.
10:30 AM: Milford Sound Cruise
You'll board the Milford Haven for a two-hour cruise along the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. The 10:30 AM departure means fewer passengers on board and often calmer water conditions compared to the busier midday and afternoon cruises.
You'll see waterfalls, wildlife, and the iconic Mitre Peak from the water. Tea and coffee are available to purchase on board during the cruise.
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM: Lunch at Milford Sound Lodge
After the cruise, you'll head to Milford Sound Lodge for lunch at the Pio Pio restaurant. You'll choose an entrée, main, and drink from a menu made with locally sourced ingredients.
The lodge is set among native rainforest with views of the surrounding mountains. This is your chance to relax and enjoy the Milford Sound environment beyond just the cruise, spending time in the forest and mountain scenery before heading back.
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Milford Road to Te Anau
The afternoon is where you'll experience the majority of the Milford Road's famous scenic stops. With around 7 stops on the return journey, you'll have plenty of time at each location.
By this point in the day, most tours and visitors have already passed through these stops on their way to Milford Sound, so you'll find the viewpoints and walking tracks quiet and peaceful. Your guide will select the best stops based on weather and conditions.
Popular stops include Mirror Lakes, where on a calm day, the lake surface creates a perfect reflection of the surrounding Earl Mountains, and Eglinton Valley, a vast glacier-carved valley of golden tussock.
At Monkey Creek, you can fill your water bottle from a pure glacier-fed stream and keep an eye out for the rare whio (blue duck) or cheeky kea, New Zealand's native alpine parrot.
The tour also includes a nature walk at either Marian Falls or Lake Gunn, where your guide will point out native birdlife and share insights on the unique ecology of Fiordland National Park. Your guide will select the best combination of stops based on weather conditions and group interests.
5:00 PM: Arrive in Te Anau
You'll arrive back in Te Anau at approximately 5:00 PM, with the rest of the evening free to explore the town or relax.
The Premium plus tour takes everything our classic Te Anau to Milford Sound day tour is known for, and adds that little bit extra. From the restaurant lunch at Milford Sound Lodge to the quieter morning cruise and spacious vehicle, it's a day designed to let you take in even more of the Milford Sound experience.
If you're staying in Te Anau and want to make the most of your time at Milford Sound, the Premium plus Tour is a great way to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Milford Sound tour suitable for all fitness levels?
Yes. The Premium plus tour doesn’t involve any strenuous activity. There are short walks at some scenic stops, but these are optional and suitable for most fitness levels.
What food and drinks are included in the Milford Sound Premium Plus Tour?
Your day includes a barista coffee, tea, or juice and a cafe muffin on departure, the restaurant lunch at Milford Sound Lodge (entrée, main, and drink), and chilled water throughout the day. Tea and coffee are available to purchase on board the cruise.
Is the Milford Sound Lodge lunch suitable for dietary requirements?
Yes. The Pio Pio restaurant at Milford Sound Lodge can cater to a range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
What should I bring for the Milford Sound Tour?
Bring comfortable clothing, a warm layer, and a waterproof jacket, as Fiordland weather can change quickly. You should also bring sunglasses and sunscreen, and a camera/phone for
photos.
Where are bathrooms on the tour?
There is a toilet at Knobs Flat on the way to Milford Sound, around halfway between Te Anau and Milford Sound. There are also toilets at the cruise terminal, on the cruise boat, and at the Milford Sound Lodge.
