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Which Luxe Tour is Right for Me?

  • Writer: Alice Neilson - Fiordland Enthusiast & Writer
    Alice Neilson - Fiordland Enthusiast & Writer
  • 7 days ago
  • 7 min read

Choosing the right Milford Sound tour depends on your circumstances, preferences, and travel style. Luxe Tours operates three distinct tour options, each designed to suit different traveller needs and priorities.


This guide starts with an overview of all three tour options, then walks through common travel scenarios to help you identify which Luxe tour best fits your plans.



Key Takeaways


  • Three Milford Sound tour options available: Day Tour from Te Anau, Day Tour from Queenstown, and 3-Day Tour from Queenstown via Walter Peak

  • The Te Anau day tour offers more stops and time in nature than the Queenstown day tour due to the shorter travel distance

  • Queenstown day tours provide convenience for time-limited visitors based in Queenstown

  • The 3-day Walter Peak tour delivers exclusive backcountry access and the most comprehensive experience

  • All Luxe Tours feature small groups with spacious, customised vans for maximum comfort

  • Tour choice depends on factors like time available, mobility needs, budget, and desired experience 

Who is Luxe Tours?




Your Luxe Tour Options

Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau

A comprehensive day tour featuring frequent stops, a guided nature walk, and plenty of time at scenic viewpoints along Milford Road. The tour includes travel in Luxe’s spacious vans and a Milford Sound cruise. 

Generally suited to:

Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown

A full-day experience from Queenstown visiting key scenic viewpoints en route to Milford Sound. This tour includes a Milford Sound cruise and comfortable travel in Luxe’s spacious, customised vans.

Generally suited to:

3-Day Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown via Walter Peak

An immersive three-day journey combining a Lake Wakatipu cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, exclusive backcountry through Walter Peak and Mount Nicholas Stations, and a full Milford Sound tour and cruise. Two nights’ accommodation in Te Anau is included.

Generally suited to:

Travel Scenarios and Recommended Tours

I Have a Child Under Four Years Old

Young children can find long vehicle journeys challenging, often becoming restless when sitting still for extended periods. Parents naturally worry about how their child will cope with a full-day tour.


Milford Sound with Kids Article, Luxe Tours

Children are warmly welcomed on all Luxe Tours, with guides who genuinely enjoy having kids along. 

The Te Anau day tour works best for families with young children because stops occur around every 15 minutes. Kids won't need to sit still for long stretches, with plenty of opportunities to get out and explore.


The shorter distance also allows flexibility to adjust the day around your child’s needs. For example, completing the scenic stops on the way to Milford Sound, then travelling straight back while your child naps comfortably in the van



I Have Limited Mobility

Concerns about walking distances, frequent vehicle stops, or keeping pace with a group can make touring stressful if mobility is limited. 


This option includes more time in the vehicle and fewer stops, allowing you to see all major viewpoints with less time on your feet or getting in and out of a vehicle. 


It doesn’t include the optional nature walk, so you’ll never have to feel like you need to wait behind while others explore on foot. 


Spacious seating and gentle pacing let you experience Milford Sound’s highlights comfortably from start to finish.



I’m Based in Queenstown and Have Limited Time 

Many visitors arrive in Queenstown wanting to see New Zealand's top sights, but have limited time to travel to other locations.



Luxe Tours Article

This tour delivers the full Milford Sound experience, including key scenic stops, in one well-paced day.


While there’s less time for additional stops and nature walks than the Te Anau day tour, Luxe’s smaller groups and premium vans ensure a relaxed, comfortable experience throughout the longer journey from Queenstown.


It’s the ideal choice for ticking Milford Sound off your list without sacrificing quality or comfort.



I'm Visiting in Winter and Don't Want to Drive


Is the road to Milford Sound open in winter Article

New Zealand's roads can feel narrow and winding compared to other countries. Winter conditions around Queenstown, between Queenstown and Te Anau, and along Milford Road can become icy and slippery, creating anxiety for unfamiliar drivers.


This tour removes all driving worries with direct pickup from your Queenstown accommodation.


Luxe’s professional drivers are highly experienced in winter conditions, and vans are equipped with snow chains and designed for all-weather safety.

You’ll relax and enjoy the scenery while someone else handles the road.



I Don't Want to Follow Standard Tourist Routes

While Luxe Tours ensures an uncrowded, immersive experience on all tours,  you still travel the same routes as other operators during the day tours from Queenstown and Te Anau. Some travellers want something genuinely different from typical driving routes.


This tour takes you through backcountry roads between Queenstown and Te Anau that most tourists never access. You'll travel routes off-limits to rental cars, seeing landscapes few visitors ever experience.


The specially designed vans handle these gravel backcountry roads safely. You won't encounter other tours on these routes. It’s just your small group exploring remote farm stations and valleys.


Days 1 and 3 explore exclusive back-country roads, with Day 2 devoted to Milford Sound, combining several of New Zealand’s best landscapes into one memorable trip. 




I Want More Time in Nature

Some travellers want to feel truly immersed in New Zealand’s forests, rivers, and mountains.


From Te Anau, you’ll enjoy frequent scenic stops and an included nature walk for a ful day of outdoor exploration.


The three-day Walter Peak itinerary goes deeper, covering everything from Central Otago’s high-country landscapes to Fiordland’s lush rainforests, perfect for those with extra time to slow down and connect with nature.



I've Visited New Zealand Before and Want Something Different

Return visitors may have already seen Milford Sound or driven portions of Milford Road during previous trips and want a fresh experience. 


This tour showcases areas you wouldn't discover independently. The backcountry roads through Walter Peak and Mount Nicholas Station aren't really accessible to rental cars and require local knowledge and specialised vehicles.


You'll experience Central Otago's distinctive landscape, completely different from Fiordland's scenery. The slow, immersive pace over three days creates a different experience even if you've visited Milford Sound before.


This tour takes you beyond typical tourist routes to places few visitors ever reach.




Our Group Needs to Keep Costs Down

When traveling with multiple people, accommodation and activity costs multiply quickly. 


Te Anau accommodation costs less than equivalent Queenstown options. Food and other expenses in Te Anau also run cheaper than Queenstown's pricing.


While you'll need a rental car and fuel to reach Te Anau, these costs remain lower than the accommodation price difference between the two towns. The Te Anau tour itself is also priced lower than the Queenstown option.


For groups watching budgets, the Te Anau day tour delivers the most comprehensive experience at the lowest cost.


I Get Travel Sickness

Avoid travel sickness when visiting Milford Sound article

Long drives can be uncomfortable for those prone to motion sickness.


This route includes regular scenic breaks roughly every 15 minutes, keeping the driving time in between short and manageable.


You’ll have frequent opportunities for fresh air, photos, and short walks between drives, making it the most comfortable itinerary for motion-sensitive travellers.



I Don't Want to Be in a Big Group

Tour groups can feel overwhelming, especially when you're with numerous strangers in close quarters.


Recommended Tour: Any Luxe Tour (3-Day Walter Peak Tour for smallest group)

All Luxe Tours are small-group experiences. Our vans are customised with removed seating rows to provide extra space, with wider seats ensuring you never feel cramped or shoulder-to-shoulder with others.


Te Anau and Queenstown day tours carry a maximum of 13 guests, while the 3-day tour via Walter Peak limits groups to 10 for the most small-group experience.


Luxe Tours Milford Sound Tour


Choosing the right Luxe Tour for you depends on your circumstances and priorities. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly flexibility, the convenience of departing from Queenstown, or a slower-paced backcountry adventure, there’s a tour to suit every traveller.


Consider your time, comfort level, budget, and preferred pace to find the experience that best fits your Milford Sound journey.



Frequently Asked Questions


Can kids come on all the Milford Sound tours?

Children are welcome on all Luxe Tours, with guides who genuinely enjoy having young passengers along. However, the Te Anau tour is strongly recommended for children under four due to frequent stops that prevent boredom and restlessness.


Older children typically handle any of the tours well. Consider your child's ability to sit in vehicles for extended periods when choosing between options.


Can I bring luggage or bags on the Milford Sound tours?

For our Te Anau and Queenstown day tours, you’re welcome to bring a day pack with personal items such as a waterproof jacket (essential for Fiordland’s frequent rain) and your own snacks if you’d like.


For the three-day Queenstown tour via Walter Peak, there’s space for each traveller to bring one large suitcase and a day pack.


What food and drinks are included on the Milford Sound tours?

On the Te Anau and Queenstown day tours, guests enjoy a morning/afternoon-tea café snack, complimentary tea and coffee (Te Anau only), and the option to add a hot meal during the Milford Sound cruise when booking. The three-day Walter Peak tour includes:

  • Buffet BBQ lunch at Walter Peak on Day 1

  • Buffet breakfasts at your Te Anau accommodation on Days 2 and 3

  • Café snack and hot drinks on Day 2

  • Snack platter at Walter Peak on Day 3

You’re also welcome to bring your own snacks along for any tour.


 
 

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