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NEWS: Luxe Tours Releases Backcountry Milford Sound Tour
The Luxe Team- May 4
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Milford Sound Luxe Tours is proud to launch a new three-day backcountry tour connecting Queenstown to Milford Sound. With tickets set for release in May for the October tour launch, the all-inclusive three-day journey takes visitors through exclusive back-country routes not typically accessible to international self-drivers.
The innovative package combines an exclusive backcountry adventure from Queenstown with Luxe’s well established 5-star rated Te Anau to Milford Sound day tour, blending iconic New Zealand attractions with off-grid experiences.
Operating seasonally from October through April, this premium & unique experience aims to provide an alternative to the standard one-day rushed visits from Queenstown to Milford Sound.
"We wanted to create something for the explorer in all of us," says Toby, co-owner of Milford Sound Luxe Tours. "This isn't just another Queenstown to Milford Sound day trip – it's an immersion into New Zealand's raw and diverse landscapes."
Key Takeaways
The new premium three-day tour connects Queenstown to Milford Sound via exclusive backcountry routes
Includes RealNZ TSS Earnslaw cruise journeys, back-country adventures with scenic stops, two nights at Distinction Hotel with buffet breakfasts, and a Milford Sound day tour with two-hour Milford Sound Cruise
Morning Milford Sound cruise provides a quieter experience away from midday crowds
Custom Mercedes Sprinter van offers premium comfort with only 10 passengers per tour. Seven seats have been removed, replaced with 10 extra wide seats.
Guests enjoy barbecue lunch, farm show, nature walks, and multiple scenic stops throughout the journey
The three-day journey & package is one guests can only experience via this tour
The Experience
Day One: Queenstown to Te Anau
The journey begins at 11:00 AM from the RealNZ Visitors Centre in Queenstown, where guests & their luggage board the historic TSS Earnslaw, embarking on a scenic trip across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station.
Upon arrival, travellers enjoy a gourmet barbecue buffet lunch in reserved lakeview seating and witness a traditional farm show featuring sheep shearing & herding demonstrations.
After lunch, the Luxe Tours van & local guide will collect guests from Walter Peak, beginning the exclusive off-road portion of the journey. This custom-designed Mercedes Sprinter features all-wheel drive capability and spacious seating, with seven seats removed to accommodate ten passengers in maximum comfort.
"The new 2025 vehicle is specifically built for these backcountry roads," explains Toby. "With extra-wide seating and generous legroom, guests can relax and enjoy the scenery in complete comfort, even on gravel sections."
The afternoon drive traverses Walter Peak Station, Mount Nicholas Station, and the spectacular Von Valley – areas inaccessible to many regular tour buses or rental vehicles. The guide provides commentary on the region's history, ecology, and high-country farming practices during multiple scenic stops along the three-hour journey to Te Anau.
Guests spend the night at the lakefront Distinction Hotel in Te Anau, with the evening free to explore the town at their leisure.
Day Two: Milford Sound Tour
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, guests are collected at 7:30 AM for their Milford Sound day tour. This early departure allows visitors to experience key scenic locations along Milford Road before the arrival of most day-trippers from Queenstown.
Guests will arrive at Milford Sound in time for a 10:30 AM cruise aboard the Milford Haven, for a peaceful two-hour cruise experience with fewer passengers than afternoon cruises.
Following the cruise, guests enjoy a relaxed return journey back to Te Anau with up to seven scenic stops and a guided nature walk. The tour includes unlimited chilled water, tea, coffee, and a cafe afternoon snack along the way.
The van returns to Te Anau by approximately 4:30 PM, giving guests time to relax or explore the town before their second night at the Distinction Hotel.
Day Three: Return to Queenstown
After their second buffet breakfast, guests check out and depart Te Anau at 10:00 AM for the return journey to Queenstown. Rather than taking the conventional route, the tour continues through the scenic backcountry with additional stops at viewpoints not included in the first day.
The van arrives back at Walter Peak around 1:00 PM, where guests enjoy a farewell snack platter and time to explore the homestead before boarding the TSS Earnslaw for the return crossing to Queenstown. The tour concludes at approximately 2:30 PM, allowing plenty of time for afternoon activities in Queenstown, checking into accommodation, or connecting to outgoing flights.
Premium Experience Details
Unique Access
The backcountry tour provides access through privately owned high-country stations and routes not available to self-driving visitors due to rental car companies restrictions.
Katelyn, co-owner of Milford Sound Luxe Tours, describes the experience: "Driving through Mount Nicholas Station, you get to experience a real-life working station. It's rugged and authentic, with moments where we have to open gates to pass through, sometimes there’s even a large bull waiting at the gates."
"As guides we are really excited to show off this beautiful part of New Zealand that is relatively untravelled by groups of people. Luxe Tours will be taking the only regular tour going through this beautiful location” says Murray, one of Luxe's experienced guides.
Toby adds, "Not many people go beyond the Mavora Lakes between Queenstown and Te Anau, but we've done it a lot because we love it. Now we want to share it with the world."
This backcountry journey through Von Valley, instead of the typical main road from Queenstown is a significant point of difference from other Milford Sound tour options, offering perspectives that even locals rarely witness.
All-Inclusive Package
The comprehensive package includes two nights at the Distinction Hotel in Te Anau with buffet breakfasts each morning. Guests also enjoy a barbecue lunch at Walter Peak High Country Farm on day one, full afternoon tea on day two after Milford Sound and a farewell snack platter before returning to Queenstown on day three. Guests can also pre-order a restaurant lunch onboard their Milford Sound Cruise.
All transportation, including both TSS Earnslaw steamship journeys, premium van travel throughout the three days, and Milford Sound Cruise is included in the package.
Vehicle Specifications
Luxe Tours has invested in a custom-designed Mercedes Sprinter van specifically built to handle the backcountry terrain. The all-wheel drive vehicle easily navigates gravel roads and small river crossings while providing exceptional passenger comfort.
The key to comfort is the vehicle's configuration – while other tour operators typically pack 17 passengers into this van model, Luxe has removed an entire row of seating, including seven extra seats to accommodate just 10 guests in total.
This modification creates nearly double the legroom found on standard tours with very wide seats like travelling business class on a plane.
"We specifically customised this vehicle to elevate the guest experience," explains Toby. "The extra space makes a huge difference, especially on longer journeys through the backcountry. We are confident this will be the most spacious, comfortable tour van in Queenstown & Milford Sound"
The premium interior features comfortable leather seats with built in USB charging ports, cup holders and ample storage space allows each guest to bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag.
The Rain Shadow Effect
One of the tour's most distinctive features is the opportunity to witness New Zealand's dramatic geographic transformation known as the rain shadow effect.
"It's a real-time experience of the mountains acting as a divide, with green lush rainforest on one side and a dry landscape on the other" explains Toby. "Between Queenstown and Te Anau, you travel through rugged, dry Central South Island landscapes. As you approach Te Anau at the end of day one, you witness the rainforest beginning to appear, with green trees coming down the mountains and you then get a sense of what your day two will be like."
This rare journey allows guests to experience the stark transition from dry to wet ecosystems within hours. Rather than just hearing about these ecological differences, visitors experience firsthand how the Southern Alps create dramatically different environments on either side of the mountain range.
Launch Details
Tickets will be released on May 5th 2025, with the first tours departing on October 1st 2025. The operation will run until the end of April, capturing optimal weather conditions.
The new backcountry experience elevates the standard for premium tour & experience offerings in the Queenstown-Milford Sound area. By combining unique access routes with strategic timing and high-end service, the new tour provides an alternative to the increasingly crowded day-trip market.
For those seeking a deeper connection to New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage, this three-day journey invites travellers to experience New Zealand's landscapes as they are meant to be experienced – with time, appreciation, and a sense of genuine adventure.
This is a tour for the explorer in all of us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if it rains on my tour?
Luxe Tours is well-prepared for New Zealand's variable weather. The custom Mercedes Sprinter van is kept at a comfortable temperature at all times, with excellent climate control systems. The van also carries extra necessities for rainy days, including towels and umbrellas for guests.
You're most likely to encounter rain during the Milford Sound portion of the tour, as it's part of a rainforest ecosystem. Rather than dampening the experience, rain actually makes Milford Sound more vibrant, with hundreds of temporary waterfalls. Guests are always advised to pack a waterproof layer, and the warm, comfortable van ensures a pleasant experience regardless of weather conditions.
Why is the tour three days?
The three-day format was chosen to create an immersive, unhurried experience. There are many Queenstown to Milford Sound tours out there, but when creating this tour, Luxe wanted to ensure guests didn’t feel like just another tourist number on the road.
By spreading the journey over three days, guests can experience New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage authentically and without feeling rushed. The relaxed pace allows for deeper connections with the landscapes, more meaningful stops, and the flexibility to truly absorb the environment. The result is a journey that transforms Milford Sound from a checkbox destination into a comprehensive New Zealand experience.
What if I am prone to motion sickness?
The tour is designed with passenger comfort in mind. Regular stops along the route provide opportunities for fresh air, and the guides are always happy to arrange additional stops if needed – flexibility that's possible due to the small group size.
The spacious van is climate-controlled with excellent air conditioning to prevent guests from overheating. Unlimited chilled water is provided throughout the journey, which helps keep stomachs settled. Travel sickness bags are also kept on board as a precaution, though the comfortable vehicle and frequent stops typically minimise motion sickness issues.
