Essential Pit Stops on the Milford Sound Road
The road to Milford Sound is probably one of the most popular in the country, but too often is it rushed in a desperate attempt to get to a Milford Sound cruise on time… After reading this list of hikes, sights and worthy pit stops, you’ll see that the road to Milford Sound deserves more of your time.
We recommend starting your day in Te Anau and even staying in Milford Sound or one of the Milford Road campsites for at least a night before returning on the Milford Road. There are so many hikes, lakes, waterfalls and photo opportunities that you will kick yourself if you have to miss most of them.
So starting with the stops from Te Anau and making our way down to Milford Sound, here are the essential stops on the road to Milford Sound.
Expert tip: Check for road updates and whether the Milford Road is open on the New Zealand Transport Agency website.
1. Te Anau
The start of State Highway 94 is a must-visit in itself! Go on a boat ride across Lake Te Anau to the waterfall and whirlpool-filled Te Anau Glowworm Caves (more info on Viator, Tripadvisor, Klook or KKday), or take the lakeside walkway to the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary which is free for everybody. Make sure to fill up on gas and any other supplies that you may need for your Milford Sound trip as there is no fuel station along the Milford Road. Check out the 10 Te Anau Must-Dos for more things to do there.
Location: The start of the Milford Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Lake Mistletoe
You’ve been driving for a good 10 minutes now, so Lake Mistletoe is a great place for your first rest break! Whether you need a rest or not (probably not), Lake Mistletoe offers a 45-minute return walk through the regenerating beech forest to this small glacial lake. Take your lunch; it’s a great picnic spot. What’s more, it’s an excellent walk to enjoy if you’re travelling with kids, as featured in the 10 Things to Do in Milford Sound with Kids.
Location: 28km (17 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Te Anau Downs
This is the departure point for the famous Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The Te Anau Downs also offers great views of the Murchison Mountains so is well worth stopping for a Kodak moment.
Location: 29km (18 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Eglinton Valley
Just try not to stop along this huge stunning valley formed by a glacier. There are plenty of places to park on the side of the road, so park up and get snapping. The Eglinton Valley is between 0.5-2km (0.3-1.2 miles) wide with a shingle riverbed floor that is constantly changed by the Eglinton River.
Location: 53km (33 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Mirror Lakes
This is possibly the most popular stop on the Milford Road. On a calm day, almost perfect reflections can be seen in these appropriately named Mirror Lakes. The 5-minute walk (yes, that’s 5 minutes, not the 15 minutes that the Department of Conservation sign says) takes you along a boardwalk and decking area overlooking the Mirror Lake with its reflection of the Earl Mountains.
Location: 57km (35 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Knobs Flat
Need a pee? Well, this will probably be a pit-stop whether you like it or not. Knobs Flat has visitor amenities like toilets and a telephone that only accepts card. (Oh, by the way, there is no phone coverage on the Milford Road or Milford Sound). While you’re waiting for everyone to do their business, have a look at the information boards about the effects of avalanches on the Milford Road and wildlife in the Eglinton Valley.
Location: 63km (39 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© Andy king50 on Wikipedia7. Lake Gunn
Discover some of the rainforest you have been driving through on this nature walk which takes you through a stunning red beech forest to the shores of Lake Gunn. It’s very likely that’s you’ll spot a few birds along the way. The easy walk is a 45-minute loop that is also wheelchair accessible.
Location: 75km (47 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© Jocey K on Wikipedia8. The Divide
Want to start an epic multi-day hike (like these featured in 5 Multi-Day Hikes in Fiordland)? Then it’s likely that you will start it from The Divide. This is the lowest east-west pass in the Southern Alps at 513m (1,683ft). The Divide has toilet and shelter facilities.
Location: 84km (52 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© Sarang on Wikipedia9. Key Summit
This is a hike definitely worth doing if you have the time and the stamina for a steep trek uphill. The Key Summit hike (3 hours return) starts at The Divide car park and follows the Routeburn Track, a New Zealand Great Walk, for about one hour. It then branches off on a 20-minute climb through native forest before emerging onto open alpine shrubland with a lake and spectacular views of the Hollyford, Greenstone and Eglinton valleys.
Location: 84km (52 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Hollyford Valley Lookout (Pops View)
Park up at this roadside lookout and soak up the views of the Hollyford Valley! It doesn’t take long, but it’s another great photo opportunity.
Location: 88km (55 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com11. Lower Hollyford Road
The only turn-off of the Milford Road leads to the Lake Marian walking track (see below), Humboldt Falls and the multi-day Hollyford Track. Turning down this road certainly leads to a whole new adventure.
Location: 87km (54 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© Krzysztof Golik on Wikipedia12. Lake Marian
From the Hollyford Road mentioned above, cross a swingbridge over the beautiful Marian Valley and ascend through a beech forest to this alpine lake situated in a hanging valley. The Lake Marian Track is three hours return.
Location: 1km (0.6 miles) down the Hollyford Road, which is 87km (54 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau
© pixabay13. Monkey Creek
If you are one of those people that had to use the toilet stops at Knobs Flat and The Divide, then it’s likely that you’ll need to fill your water bottle up at Monkey Creek. The pristine water from the creek is safe to drink and is a likely spot to see kea and whio/blue duck.
Location: 96km (60 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com14. Homer Tunnel
Driving through tunnels is always fun, right? The Homer Tunnel sits at 945 metres (3,100 feet) above sea level and stretches for 1.2km (0.7 miles). With a traffic light control system, be prepared to wait for up to 20 minutes. In the meantime, have a look at the wonderful landscape around you!
Location: 102km (63 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com[CLOSED] The Chasm
[Update: The Chasm is closed due to flood damage. Get the latest updates about the walk on the DOC website].
Take this 20-minute loop walk into the rainforest and to an impressive chasm. Floodwater from the Cleddau River has brought the hard rock down the mountain to carve out this display of potholes and waterfalls. Check out more of the 10 Milford Sound Walks You Can’t Miss.
Location: 110km (68 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com16. Tutoko Valley Route
By now, you must be pretty exhausted exploring every stop on the Milford Road, but if you have a little bit of energy left then this is your last chance to lose it before hitting Milford Sound itself. Signposted next to the Tutoko River bridge seen from the Milford Road, the challenging hike goes through beech forest, alongside a river and open swampland. The end of the route reaches a valley with stunning views of Mt Tutoko, Milford Sound’s highest mountain.
Location: 112km (70 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© Ian Cochrane on Wikipedia17. Deepwater Basin
If you have booked a kayaking tour in Milford Sound then your adventure starts here from Deepwater Basin. Join Rosco’s Milford Kayaks (learn more on Viator and Tripadvisor) for a spectacularly scenic trip where you’ll get closer to the action, whether it’s the seals basking on the rocks or a magnificent waterfall. Either way, being in a tiny kayak makes the towering fiord cliff faces all the more majestic. We also list this experience in the 5 Most Romantic Things to Do in Milford Sound for Couples.
Location: 117km (73 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© NZPocketGuide.com18. Milford Sound
Finally, you have reached Milford Sound. Enjoy one of the free walks like the Milford Sound Foreshore Walk or the Milford Sound Lookout Track, take the ferry to Bowen Falls or, of course, join one of the many amazing scenic cruises (compare your options with the 7 Best Cruises in Milford Sound). Check out more ways to experience Milford Sound in the 15 Best Things to Do in Milford Sound.
Location: 117km (73 miles) along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
© C Scott -Destination FiordlandNow That You Have Done Every Stop on the Road to Milford Sound …
… You can check out all these fun things to do in Milford Sound! Plus, the following guides have much more advice to help plan the perfect trip to Milford Sound.
