The Drive to Milford Sound

Part of the experience of going to Milford Sound is enjoying the alpine scenery found along Highway 94.  The drive starts in Queenstown for a long drive alongside Lake Wakatipu and later through vast farmland.  The portion of road between Te Anau and Milford Sound begins by going through an expansive and lush green valley and then goes up a long narrow valley which is heavily forested in various locations.  As the valley becomes even more narrow, the road gains altitude and begins passing by tall mountain peaks before going into Homer Tunnel.  After exiting the tunnel, the road zig-zags down into Milford Sound.

Things to see and do:

	Lake Te Anau
	Drive through the heart of the Southern Alps
	The mirror effect on Lake Gunn
	Hollyford Valley
	Fiordland National Park
	Homer Tunnel

Getting There   Tell me What's Along the Way   Show me the Maps

Show me the Slideshow   Show me the Photo Tour

Getting There

Even though the flying distance from Queenstown to Milford Sound is about 40 miles (64 km), the closest driving route is 180 miles (290 km) long!  So be prepared for a long drive.  If you are taking a bus from Queenstown to Milford Sound for a day trip, be prepared for a very long tiring day.  If you are driving on your own to Milford Sound and have plenty of time, try to stay overnight in the Milford Sound area for two nights.  That way, you can leisurely spend the entire day driving to Milford Sound to enjoy the sights along the way, spend the next day enjoying Milford Sound and then spend the third day getting to your next destination via the drive you took two days previous.

The route to Milford Sound if you are starting in Queenstown, starts out by heading south on Highway 6 with The Remarkables mountain range on your left and Lake Wakatipu on your right.  After 57 miles (92 km) from Queenstown, turn right (west) on to Highway 97, heading towards the town of Te Anau, which later takes you onto Highway 94.  Continue following Highway 94, the the Te Anau Milford Highway, through Te Anau and all the way to Milford Sound.  Te Anau [Google search] is reached about 105 miles (170 km) from Queenstown and is a major town where supplies can be acquired before continuing on the long and lonely road to Milford Sound.

Along the Way

The best part of the journey to Milford Sound exists between Te Anau and Milford Sound.  North of Te Anau, Highway 94 passes along a segment of shore of the large Lake Te Anau [Google search] and then turns northeast just past Te Anau Downs and then passes through lush farmland.  When traveling through the farmland, you can see the road inching closer to the jagged Southern Alps in the distance.

Leaving the farmland, the road enters the long, skinny and very scenic Eglington Valley.  The valley is sandwiched between two alpine ridges.  One of the first viewpoints along the road is along a large meadow and offers vistas of the mountain scenery ahead [see picture].

After passing the long meadow with its sweeping views, a rest area is encountered at a place named Knobs Flat on the map.  Also along this portion of the drive, the road goes through sections of old growth forest.  Passing through these forests is like passing through a tunnel as you are almost unable to see the sky above [see picture].

About 48 miles (77 km) from Te Anau, Lake Gunn is reached.  Providing that the wind is not blowing,  you will be rewarded with a stunning view of this lake with its surface reflecting the mountain scenery behind it.  Shortly after passing Lake Gunn, another lake is reached, this time on the other side of the road for a view from a different angle.

After passing the lakes, the road makes a sweeping left turn towards the west and into the rugged alps.  At this point, a paved road leads off to the right into Hollyford Valley.  Also a long and skinny valley, it goes in the same general direction and seems like an extension of Eglington Valley, which it is not.  The road extends roughly 10 miles (17 km) into this very scenic valley.  This is the location of the Hollyford Track [Google search], a hiking trail, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.

Back on Highway 94, as it now heads west, it climbs about 2,000 feet (600 m) in about 7.5 miles (12 km) before entering Homer Tunnel.  During this portion of the road, it passes by some very spectacular mountain scenes [see picture].  Just before entering Homer Tunnel, be sure to pull over at the turnout to take a good look at the scenery.

After going through Homer Tunnel, you will be rewarded yet to more views of mountains and the huge glacially carved valleys below.  In the remaining distance of about 10 miles (16 km) to Milford Sound, the road descends 2,800 feet (850 m) to sea level.  Along this portion, there is a parking area on the left (west) side of the road with a short walking path to "The Chasm" that is a waterfall that drops into a deep slot canyon.

The trip described in this chapter is one of the most spectacular drives we have ever experienced.  It would be shame to be rushed through this area, plus Milford Sound, in one day.

Photo Tour
Click on picture to enlarge

	About two hours drive from Queenstown, the town of Te Anau is reached.  Here, travelers can either continue on to Milford Sound or a take a ferry like this one across Lake Manapouri to embark on a separate journey to Doubtful Sound.
	After leaving Te Anau, the Te Anau Milford Highway (number 94) begins passing through lush farmland as it skirts the big Lake Ta Anau on the left (west) side.
	After passing Te Anau Downs, the road turns away from the lake and continues to go through more farmland.
	Approaching (looking northeast) the long and skinny Eglington Valley that Knobs Flat and Lake Gunn is located in.
	We stretch our legs on the meadow located at the southern end of Knobs Flat.  View is looking due north.
	A closer look across Knobs Flat at the rugged alps that we will soon be driving past.
	Passing through "old growth" forests along Highway 94.
	We stop at another rest area on the north end of Knobs Flat.
	A closer look at the tops of the mountains on the west side of Highway 94.
	Looking southwest across Lake Gunn.
	Another view of the perfectly still Lake Gunn and its stunning reflection of the mountains behind it.
	Highway 94 steadily climbs into the Southern Alps.
	A striking mountain peak in the distance.
	Another rest stop, this time to inspect some springs off the side of the road.  This is located a few miles before reaching Homer Tunnel.
	Closer look at the mountains along the road ahead.
	Parked near the east entrance to Homer Tunnel, we are able to get out and look at the outstanding alpine scenery.
	This view is looking east at the road we just climbed up.  Homer Tunnel is the road's summit between Te Anau and Milford Sound.
	Off to the north side of the tunnel, view looking up on the close-by ridge.
	A closer look at the snow on top of the same ridge in the previous picture.
	A bus enters Homer Tunnel.  The tunnel is very narrow.  Two small autos can normally pass in each direction.  However, if a bus enters the tunnel, traffic going the opposite direction cannot pass and must backup to get out of the way.
	Exiting out of Homer Tunnel on the west or Milford Sound side.
	The road snakes down and descends quickly to sea level at Milford Sound.
	Another stop between Homer Tunnel and Milford Sound was "The Chasm" which was a waterfall that created a deep slot canyon .
	Finally: Milford Sound.

Back to Photo Tour, back to Top of Page or Home

 Copyright © 2007, BackRoadsWest.com