Milford Sound Road —Fiordland.
Distance
290 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,800 m
Milford Sound Road — Fiordland.
The road to Milford Sound is arguably the most spectacular cul-de-sac in the world. Te Anau to Milford passes through ancient beech forest, alpine valleys, and the Mirror Lakes before entering the Homer Tunnel — blasted through solid granite at 945m. Milford Sound itself rises 1,600m from the sea in a glacially carved fjord. The return journey, going the same road, looks entirely different.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance290 km
Days1
Total climb1,800 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
Te AnauStart · Start in Te Anau on the shore of NZ's second-largest lake. Early departure recommended — Milford gets crowded by 11am.
Eglinton ValleyScenic Point · The broad U-shaped glacial valley opens up. Beech forest and tussock grassland.
Mirror LakesPhoto Spot · Perfect reflections of the Earl Mountains in calm conditions. Best before 10am before wind.
The Divide — Key SummitScenic Point · The key watershed between east and west. A short walk gives panoramic views over three different catchments.
Homer Tunnel EntryMountain Pass · The raw unlined tunnel blasted through the Alps in 1954. Wet, dark, and dramatic. Kea parrots (large alpine parrots) wait at the entrance.
Cleddau CanyonScenic Point · On the Milford side of Homer. The valley is suddenly deep and narrow with vertical walls.
Milford Sound — Mitre PeakPhoto Spot · 1,692m Mitre Peak rises from the sea. Bowen Falls cascades 162m to the right. If raining (320 rain days/year): still spectacular — hundreds of temporary waterfalls pour over the cliffs.
Milford SoundEnd · Take the 1.5hr cruise before riding back. The tunnel one-way system means you may wait for the road to open returning. Return to Te Anau for overnight.
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