11 best stops on the Te Anau to Milford Sound drive, Fiordland

Driving from Te Anau to Milford Sound was undoubtedly one of the most stunning routes I have seen in New Zealand! While Fiordland National Park is awe-inspiring in its entirety, there’s something exceptional about this road, tucked away in the South Island mountains.

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The best stops between Te Anau to Milford Sound are particularly special because they are all so unique yet close together – around every bend, there’s a new sight to see. For me, Fiordland is a highlight of any New Zealand travel itinerary and not to be missed.

But this road – the humble Te Anau to Milford Sound drive – brings back extraordinary memories. (And that’s saying something because Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are so outstanding on their own!)

How long is the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound?

It takes roughly 2 hours to drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound, though this can vary significantly depending on how many stops you make. The distance is 188km (73km).

If you’re visiting from Queenstown, then it will be 288km (173 miles) of driving till you make it to Milford Sound. This would take around 3.5 hours, not including breaks.

I suspect it takes most people at least 3 hours to drive between Te Anau and Milford Sound. You really need four hours to see everything. The good news is that you do the drive twice, so if you miss some stops the first time, at least you can try to fit them in on the way back. 

Is it worth driving from Te Anau to Milford Sound? 

In my opinion, it’s definitely worth self-driving from Te Anau to Milford Sound. While you’ll still get to see all the best scenery on a tour, it’s really special to be able to stop and take your time at each of the best locations along the road.

If you’re short on time, it won’t make much difference whether you self-drive to Milford Sound or take a tour from Te Anau or Queenstown.

In this case, you wouldn’t have time to stop at every destination anyway, so at least your tour driver will tell you all the best highlights to look out for. Tour guides will often also stop at key locations, depending on the weather and the tour you book. 

If you’re visiting Fiordland National Park, there’s no wrong way. As a non-driver (not by choice), I know how frustrating it can be when people tell you you’ve missed out because there was a ‘better way’ to travel. (I was lucky enough that a friend drove us from Te Anau to Milford Sound.) 

I highly recommend this Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Day Trip (From Te Anau) if that’s you. It’s the highest-rated tour of this kind which I could find (4.9 out of 5 at the time of writing), and I have personal experience with the fantastic RealJourneys – I also did my Milford Sound Cruise with them, and it was fantastic. 

Most Milford Sound bus and boat tours will include a guide, and lunch, alongside the cruise and any other add-ons you may have chosen.

If you can self-drive, it’s absolutely worth it. If not, don’t worry; you’ll still experience amazing Milford Sound magic. 

The best stops from Te Anau to Milford Sound 

Te Anau 

Te Anau is more than just the getaway to this extraordinary drive to Milford Sound! There are actually some fantastic things to do in Te Anau itself, alongside some great restaurants and places to stay.

The top things to do in Te Anau include:

• Te Anau Lake lookout: The Te Anau Lions Lookout Point is a famous scenic spot on 265 Ramparts Road with stunning views over the lake and town. The panoramic viewpoint is perfect for a picnic or sunset.
•  Lake Te Anau Cruise: the best way to explore Lake Te Anau is, of course, by boat! Many Te Anau boat tours give beautiful views over the lake and beyond. The one listed below gives you a fantastic insight into Te Anau, the Hidden Lakes and a guided walking tour at this New Zealand hidden gem, plus canapés and desserts on this historic yacht.

• Te Anau Glow worm caves: Possibly the most popular tourist attraction in the Te Anau township, any glow Worm tour begins with a cruise to glide you across the lake to the Cavern House caves. The caves are 12000 years old (which means there young in cave age!) and are still being carved and sculpted by the flowing river you’ll see on your travels. Geological wonders have been formed here through limestone passages, natural rock sculptures, whirlpools, and even an underground waterfall.
  
  But best of all are the hundreds of glow worms that light up the secret grotto, dazzling upon the walls and cave roof above you, transforming it into a glittering night sky. Who knew that Fiorland was also extraordinary underground?

• Te Anau Bird Sanctuary: This humble sanctuary is a 15-minute walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. It’s free to self-guided visitors, but donations are welcome. You will see Tahake, a bird once considered extinct before being rediscovered here in Fiordland, with attempts to rehabilitate them slowly. Also found are Kaka, related to the stunning Kea alpine parrot, Antipodes Island parakeets, and a ruru koukou/morepork – a small owl – alongside other unique native birds.
• Lake Mistletoe Viewpoint Loop: This easy 1.9km loop is a great place for some lake time solitude to appreciate the wonderful forest and lake of Te Anau in just 30 minutes.

• Visit the Lord of the Rings locations in Te Anau!

Now begin your drive towards the wonderful Milford Sound, a sure highlight of any South Island NZ road trip itinerary!

Eglington Valley

I loved Eglington Valley! There’s something so surreal about this expansive flat open space, with mountains towering all around it (including Mount Eglington) and lined by beech forest.

Since Fiordland is a place of history and mystery, it’s no surprise that the Eglington Valley was carved by glaciers (though you should head to the West Coast of New Zealand to truly make the most of glacial scenery).

And, adding to the fantasy-esque location, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the Lord of the Rings while driving through, with the tussock grass waving in the wind and distant snow-capped mountains. It makes sense the mountain range was used for extra shots in the Fellowship of the Rings. (If you’re a LOTR fan, too, you’ll love my guide to the Lord of the Rings locations in New Zealand!)

Mirror Lakes

Mirror Lakes is one of the most popular places to stop between Te Anau and Milford Sound, although it’s not surprising considering how beautiful it is here.

A short 400m-return boardwalk takes you up close to these tiny lakes, which offer reflective views of the mountains on the other side of the wetland valley.

Super pretty and a great quick stop if you don’t have much time on the route to Milford Sound but want to stretch your legs. (And if you’re travelling NZ as a family, I imagine it’s a good stop for kids too.)

Knob’s Flat

If you need the bathroom, Knob’s flat is the last toilet along Milford Sound road! So if you need a flushing loo, this is a tip for you. (And yes, this advice is as much for adults as children.)

Aside from the aforementioned toilet tip, Knob’s Flat also has a scenic campground and cabins – so it’s a great place to stay if you want to stop overnight in Fiordland.

Lake Gunn

Despite Lake Gunn being covered in misty rain during my stop, I could still appreciate the beauty of this reflective lake.

There is a 1.4km loop walk – the Lake Gunn Nature Walk – winding through the mossy beech trees, or else you can enjoy the scenery from the shore. As the name suggests, there’s lovely nature all around, from the native plants to birdlife. 

If you want to stay between Te Anau and Milford sound on a budget, the Cascade Creek Campsite is by Lake Gunn, so it’s the perfect cheap place to stay if you’ll be camping. (You’ll need to be self-contained; note there are no facilities here. If you want a serviced campsite, stay in Knob’s Flat or the beautiful rainforest campervan park in Milford Sound.)

Hollyford Valley Lookout (Pop’s View Lookout)

When it comes to astonishing landscape lookouts, this viewing platform over the Hollyford Valley is one of the best. It’s a great place to stop and understand the enormous scale of Fiordland National Park. Honestly, it’s no surprise that it’s a World Heritage Site. Amazing!

Monkey Creek

This is such a beautiful place to stop between Milford Sound and Te Anau! It’s so beautiful, and you can pull over and spend a little time wandering around the creek while you gaze at the mountains around you.

Gertrude Valley Lookout

Similar in scenery to Monkey Creek, the Gertrude Valley lookout is a stunning stop shortly before the entrance to the Homer Tunnel.

This is also the beginning of one of Milford Sound’s most popular tracks – the Gertrude Saddle trek.

Homer Tunnel

Homer Tunnel passes 1.2km through the Darran Mountain Range. At 945 metres above sea level, it’s not surprising that the views are spectacular on either side.

The tunnel is relatively steep, too, as it’s where you begin your descent down the Cleadau Valley. On the other side, you’ll continue down the steep, winding road, surrounded by mountains, as you approach Milford Sound itself.

The tunnel is kept safe by traffic lights during busy times, where you might spot some New Zealand kea (alpine parrots) as you wait your turn. During my visit to Milford Sound, a cheeky key was hopping from car to car, taking a good look at us through the window!

Before the tunnel was opened in 1954, there was no road access to Milford Sound. So it’s great that cars and buses can make their way to this beautiful place today.

Chasm Viewing Bridge (closed)

The Chasm was closed during my visit and remains closed at the time of writing. If this has changed, feel free to let me know, and I’ll update the post. 🙂

The Cleddau River still thunders through the Chasm, so it’s easy to imagine that the river is what actually caused it. The water was forced through a narrow valley, which eventually built up into waterfalls, and strong currents carved the rocks into unique patterns. 

The lookout is a 400m walk from the car park. It’s generally easy but deserves caution in wet weather.

Milford Sound

Yes, you made it to Milford Sound.

Or, well, if you’re reading this, then you hopefully will soon! And my gosh, are you going to love it? Rain or shine, it’s the perfect all-weather destination. 

You likely plan to explore the fiord with a cruise – which I highly recommend. However, there are a few easy spots to see around Milford Sound, which I’ve listed below. Because although the saying goes, ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination,’ in this case, the destination really is as important (aka, beautiful) as the journey!

Things to do in Milford Sound:

MILFORD SOUND CRUISE

I was worried my Milford Sound cruise wouldn’t live up to expectations, but it absolutely did! The landscape is stunning throughout, and the helpful guide points out all the highlights so you won’t miss anything. 

Although Milford Sound gets 182 days of rain every year, many locals consider them the best days to visit as they cause thousands of temporary waterfalls to form and tumble down the beautiful mountains. They say that you haven’t experienced Fiordland until you’ve experienced it in the rain!

Although I had surprisingly sunny weather during my Milford Sound, considering the number of times I had to reroute my Winter road trip due to flooding, it was still incredible. (And when I experienced my Doubtful Sound cruise, I got rain, rainbows, and even snow!)

Read more: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise: travel tips and review!

LADY BOWEN FALLS

Milford Sounds’ tallest waterfall handily plunges right at the entrance to the fiord, so it’s easy to see. It drops 162m from a hanging valley and is also a source of electricity. (Fiordland has some great examples of hydroelectricity.)

SEE MITRE PEAK

Milford Sounds’ postcard famous Mitre Peak, is idyllic as it is iconic. I definitely recommend spending some time on the shore, gazing at the surrounding nature and the 1683m Mitre Peak in all its glory.

Follow the Milford Sound Lookout track for the best views at the head of Milford Sound. This 400m return walk must be one of New Zealand’s most scenic, very short walks!

Alternatively, the similar Milford Foreshore Walk (a 400m loop) winds through the beech forest before taking you right alongside the shore. This one takes you close to the water with the best views of Mitre Peak!

KAYAKING ON MILFORD SOUND

Kayaking on the serene waters of Fiordland is an experience like no other. While you’re not allowed to bring your own kayak, you can easily arrange this with a guided tour. You combine the tour with your cruise of Milford Sound for a spectacular day trip from Queenstown or Te Anau. 

HIKING IN MILFORD SOUND

Tramping in Milford Sound has to be one of the most popular activities in the area.

The Lake Marian Track, Key Summit Hike, and the famous Routeburn Track are all popular routes. They all have amazing views, so you can’t really go wrong.

SCENIC FLIGHTS

Scenic flights from Milford Sound’s small airport or Queenstown are popular attractions for a reason. I would love to do this one day – the views from above look simply incredible. Plus, you get to see so much of Fiordland, which is hidden from the water below.

You can choose to fly from Te Anau or Queenstown one-way, a return flight, or a combined flight and cruise option. For the whole Fiordland flight experience, choose a tour which includes a scenic landing!

Where to stay overnight in Milford Sound

While Milford Sound is an excellent day trip from Queenstown, staying overnight here is lovely. 

There is only one place to stay in Milford Sound – the beautiful Milford Sound Lodge.

Choose between premium riverside chalets, 2-bedroom garden chalets, or mountain view chalets. Positioned to make the most of the scenery and help you feel refreshed after a day of exploring, you can expect all the facilities and amenities you need for a relaxed overnight stay.

There is also a restaurant – Pio Pio – with a delicious menu and a separate cafe. The cafe is named after the original name for Milford Sound – Piopiotahi. 

Since there’s no other place to stay in Milford Sound, book in advance to ensure a room. If it’s booked up, you can stay in one of many accommodations in Te Anau instead.

The lodge also has a campsite – the Rainforest Campervan Park! This has to be one of the prettiest campsites I stayed at in New Zealand. As the name reveals, the site is surrounded by rainforests, with mountains towering in the background.

The sites are powered and private, and the facilities are lovely – clean showers and toilets, a fully-equipped kitchen, and one of the most scenic communal campsite lounges. The views are just perfection.

Tips for driving from Te Anau to Milford Sound

• Check road conditions in advance, especially after stormy weather or during Winter. The weather can change in an instant here, leading to roadworks, partial closures, or other council advice you need to be aware of. 

• On that note, be prepared for rain. Aside from driving safely, you’ll also need sensible shoes, a raincoat, a waterproof jacket, and other seasonably appropriate clothing (such as a fleece and gloves in Winter).

• But don’t forget sunscreen, either! (Important all year round.)

• Do you need petrol? Check if you need to top up your tank in Te Anau before you begin the journey to Milford!

• There are also no ATMs or phone reception in Milford Sound. Bring cash and plan accordingly. 

• In Winter, bring snow chains, and learn how to put them on in advance. If it snows, you want to be safe to drive back. (And it snowed during my visit to Fiordland! I saw many snowy mountains while driving from Te Anau to Milford Sound!)
  

• Don’t snap and drive! There are loads of places to pull over, and each key lookout has a car park or pullover space, so it’s easy to get a good view of everything.

• Bring insect spray. The sandflies get incredibly bitey in Fiordland, especially if you want to walk around the Milford Sound shore.

• Driving carefully is a must. You’ll notice avalanche zones (where it’s clearly designed that you CAN NOT stop and must keep driving), some sharp turns, and steep sections after the tunnel. 

Overall, the Te Anau to Milford Sound is likely one of New Zealand’s most scenic roads, and the stops along the way give you more time to appreciate this remarkable region. Out of all the places I’ve visited in South Island, I would absolutely love to revisit Fiordland National Park.