Driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound: Everything You Need to Know + 18 Best Places to Stop Along the Way

Driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound is 288 kilometers (179 miles) long and one of the most scenic road trips in New Zealand. It is a must-do experience when visiting the South Island.

There is so much to see and do that it can easily be turned into a whole day’s journey, which is exactly what we did.

In this blog, I’m sharing 18 of the best places to stop along the way to help you create your own customised road trip itinerary. We’ll also cover details about the drive, tips to help you prepare and suggested itineraries for how to fit it all in.

It’s a complete guide for the ultimate Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip!

Related Blog Post: New Zealand South Island Itinerary: 2-Week Road Trip

The drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown will take a little under 4 hours without stoping, however it’s worth dedicating a whole day of the itinerary to explore this unique part of the country.

Getting to Milford Sound is an adventure in itself with so many great stops, from scenic viewpoints to epic hiking trails. 

We recommend spending a night or two in Te Anau or Milford Sound so that you have time to see the best places on the drive and plenty of time to experience the fun things to do in Milford Sound once you get there. 

Plus, there are plenty of awesome day walks and fun things to do right in Te Anau.

Driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound – The Details

How long is the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound?

The Drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is 288 kilometers (179 miles). Queenstown to Te Anau is 171 kilometers (106 miles), and Te Anau to Milford Sound 117 kilometers (73 miles).

What is the driving time from Queenstown to Milford Sound?

The drive between Queenstown and Milford Sound will take between 3.5 and 4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Queenstown to Te Anau will take around 2 hours, and Te Anau to Milford Sound around 1.5 to 2 hours. 

Can you do Milford Sound in a day from Queenstown?

Yes, it is possible to experience Milford Sound as a day trip from Queenstown. You’ll be surprised at how much you can fit into a day trip. It’s a long day with a lot of driving and you’ll have time for a few of the quick stops along the way. 

Is it safe to Drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound?

It is safe to drive to Milford Sound as long you drive to conditions and take care. It rains 182 days a year on average in Milford Sound, so chances are you’ll be driving in wet weather any time of the year. Winter can be more treacherous with the risk of snow, ice and avalanches. Between May and November, you’ll need to carry and be able to fit snow chains.

How do I get to Milford Sound?

Hiring a car and driving yourself to Milford Sound offers the most flexibility and can be a rewarding experience. It’s a long drive with many highlights along the way so planning is essential to ensure you get the most out of the experience. 

You can also get to Milford Sound from Queenstown by going on a day tour where everything is organised for you including a cruise! 

↳ I love this Premium Small Group Tour from Queenstown for a more personalized experience.

Is Milford Sound worth the drive?

It is absolutely worth it. Fiordland is a Word Heritage Site with Milford Sound often informally referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, and can only be described as breathtaking. The drive itself can be a rewarding experience taking you through some of the most dramatic and picturesque landscapes New Zealand has to offer.

About the drive 

You’ll travel along State Highway 6 and State Highway 94 (also referred to as Milford Sound Highway) for the duration of the journey. Leaving Queenstown, the drive takes you past the Remarkables mountain range and along Lake Wakatipu before winding along the Devil’s Staircase. 

You’ll pass through the small town of Kingston at the end of Lake Wakatipu and several tiny rural towns along the way to Te Anau. 

Te Anau is about the halfway point between Queenstown and Milford Sound. There are a few stops on the first part of the drive between Queenstown and Te Anau, with the majority being along the Milford Highway (SH 94) between Te Anau and Milford Sound. 

Related Read: If you enjoy driving, you may be interested in reading our blogs about other South Island road trips including the scenic drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy , the incredible journey from Queenstown to Mt Cook or the wildly beautiful and remote Southern Scenic Route between Invercargill and Te Anau.

What to Know Before You Go

• As mentioned, the scenic drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is 288 kilometers (179 miles) that takes between 3.5 to 4 hours without stopping. The road is fully sealed (paved) and suitable for all vehicles including RVs and campervans. 

• Fiordland weather is often dramatic and unpredictable, even in the summer. It’s important to drive to the conditions and take your time if you are unfamiliar with New Zealand’s narrow and winding roads. 

• You’ll need to carry snow chains in winter (from May to November) and check the road conditions before setting off. Snow and heavy rain can close the road into Milford Sound due to slips, especially in winter and spring when avalanches are most common.

• There are no shops or petrol (gas) stations between Te Anau and Milford Sound so be sure to fill up the tank and snack supply at Te Anau.

• Cellphone coverage is also limited once you leave Te Anau so best to download any maps or information you may need before setting off.

• Traffic can get heavy on this stretch of road with buses and coaches travelling during their set itinerary to coordinate with cruise times. To avoid this traffic we recommend leaving very early (or later in the day if you are staying in Te Anau). 

• After Te Anau, there are public toilets at Knobs Flat and The Divide with non-flushing toilet facilities at other stops such as Lake Gunn. 

Best Places to Stop Between Queenstown and Milford Sound

Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are 18 of the best stops to help you build your own Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip itinerary.

1. Lower Wye Creek Track

If you’re a keen hiker, the Lower Wye Creek Track is arguably one of the lesser known and underrated hikes in the Queenstown area. The return hike is under 7km (4.3 miles) that takes around 4 hours to complete due to the steep grade of the track.

It’s a rewarding climb through native beech forest and along a cascading waterfall to a viewpoint over Lake Wakatipu. Due to its high altitude this track is only suitable for the summer months.

You’ll see a turn off to Wye Creek and the parking lot on SH 6, about a 20 minutes drive from Queenstown heading towards Te Anau and Milford Sound.

2. Devil’s Staircase Lookout

The Devil’s Staircase is the stretch of road between Queenstown and Kingston that winds its way along lake Wakatipu. I’m not sure where the name came from, but the lookout is simply a beautiful viewpoint and a quick photo stop, where you can see the road snaking along the cliff on one side and the drop off to Lake Wakatipu on the other. 

There is small car park to pull into on your right coming from Queenstown about halfway between Queenstown and Kingston. There is a sign for it but it comes up fast so do take care pulling over. It’s best to do on a clear day.

3. Garston Hunny Shop

This local honey shop is a hidden gem located in the small rural town of Garston, just under an hours drive from Queenstown on the way to Te Anau and Milford Sound. They offer free tastings of their pure New Zealand honey, with a variety of flavors and types to choose from. The lavender and wild forest are my favorites!

There is also a selection of honey based health and beauty products as well as a small selection of gifts and homewares. Worth a visit to stock up on honey in a range of unique and delicious flavors. 

4. Te Anau Lions Lookout 

Just before reaching Te Anau, you can take a short detour off the main road to the Te Anau Lions Lookout for elevated views over the town and lake. 

You’ll find the lookout a 5-minute drive down Ramparts Road, a gravel road just off the main highway before you reach the township of Te Anau. Best to visit on a clear day in the morning, the afternoon sun makes the view and photos harder to see although it’s a magic spot for sunset.

5. Te Anau 

Now you’ve made it to the halfway point! Te Anau is located a couple hours’ drive from Queenstown and known as the ‘gateway to the fiords’. Many people choose to stay in Te Anau for a night or two before travelling to Milford Sound. It’s also a short drive to Manapouri, and the starting point for tours to Doubtful Sound. 

There are plenty of accommodation options, shops and restaurants in Te Anau. In fact, it’s the last place to stock up on food and fuel on the way to Milford Sound.

Sunset on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Islands largest lake, can be stunning in the right conditions, and the Te Anau Caves are one of the best places in New Zealand to experience glowworms.

6. Lake Mistletoe Track

The Lake Mistletoe Track is a short and easy 40-minute walk through the forest to the peaceful Lake Mistletoe. The track starts from a medium-sized car park opposite the Fiordland National Park Lodge complex in Te Anau Downs along Milford Road. It’s well-signposted and easy to spot. 

This well-graded track is suitable for the whole family and a good opportunity to stretch your legs on the way to Milford Sound. It’s not the most scenic stop on our list so if you are short on time or planning to do any other walks or hikes on the list then you can give this stop a miss.

7. Te Anau Downs

Te Anau Downs is the starting point for the multi-day Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. You’ll need to book well in advance to secure a spot on this popular walk.

Otherwise, this is a quick stop to walk out onto the jetty and check out the beautiful views of the lake and mountains.

8. Eglinton Valley

As you enter Fiordland National Park you’ll notice the change in terrain as you drive through Eglinton Valley. Long and narrow stretches of road carve a path through the vast golden tussock covered valley with jagged mountains towering all around.

There are designated areas with a wide shoulder on the side of the road to safely pull over. It’s worth a quick stop to grab some photos of this incredible landscape and take a moment to appreciate the views.

Top tip: Knob’s Flat, located within Eglinton Valley, is one of two stops on the way that has flush toilets. 

9. Mirror Lakes

Mirror Lakes is a very short, 400-meter (1,312 feet) stretch of boardwalk leading you alongside the glass like Mirror Lakes. On a clear and calm day you can see the Earl Mountains reflecting in the lake. There are information boards along the track providing interesting insights about the area. 

It’s a quick and easy stop suitable for the whole family. Parking is a wide bay on the side of Milford Sound Highway where you can simply pull over, and is well signposted. 

10. Lake Gunn

Another great track suitable for the whole family is the Lake Gunn Nature Walk. This short and easy walk starts from the Cascade Creek parking lot and takes around 40 minutes to complete.

From the car park, you’ll follow the track through red beech forest of moss-covered trees with colourful mushrooms straight out of Alice in Wonderland dotted around their bases. Keep an eye out for unique birdlife known to inhabit the area. 

Follow the short side path to a stony beach for the best view of the mountains surrounding Lake Gunn. You may even be treated to beautiful reflections in the right conditions. 

11. Key Summit Track

The Key Summit Track is one of the most popular hikes in Milford Sound and definitely worth doing on a clear day. This moderately challenging track is 3.4km (2.1 miles) and should take around 3 hours to complete. 

The track starts from The Divide car park just off the Milford Highway, you’ll follow the Routeburn Track for about an hour before seeing the signpost for the start of the Key Summit Track. From here, you’ll climb for about 20 minutes to Key Summit with panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darren Mountains before returning via the same track. 

It’s one of the best hikes in Milford Sound for its lush vegetation, prolific birdlife and epic views of Fiordland National Park. This hike is best done on a clear day to ensure you can see the awesome views. 

12. Hollyford Valley Lookout (Pop’s View)

The Hollyford Valley Lookout offers one of the best views along the drive to Milford Sound and is worth stopping at. You’ll see signs for the lookout with a small area to pull over on your right side. It’s on a narrow and winding part of the road so do take care when pulling in. If it’s too busy you can always try again on the way back. 

The lookout is on a wooden platform right from the car park so no effort required for this one. Just hop up on the platform and enjoy the view! You may even encounter a mischevious Kea known to hang out here. Just watch your belongings or he may try to steal them!

13. Lake Marian Track

The Lake Marian Track is my personal favourite and one of the best hikes in Milford Sound. Classified as a moderate to hard hike, this 3.1km (1.9 mile) track should take around 3 hours to complete. 

Lake Marian is an alpine lake in a hanging valley that was formed by glacial movement. On a clear day you can see the mountains reflecting in the lake in a stunning display of mother nature. You’ll find the start of the Lake Marian track and car park 1km down the Hollyford Road, a turn off at Marion Corner just off the Milford Sound Highway (SH 94). 

You have two options, an easy 20-minute track to the Lake Marian falls and the full 3-hour return track to Lake Marian.

Crossing the swing bridge at the start of the track, you’ll continue down a well-formed path for about 20 minutes to reach a series of waterfalls. From the falls, you can return via the same path back to the car park for a short walk or continue for another 1.5 hours to Lake Marian. 

Once past the falls the track becomes steep and more difficult with mostly uneven ground covered by large stones and tree roots. There were a couple of tricky bits that required a climb over fallen trees and up tree roots. Be sure to look up every now and again to ensure you are following the orange trail markers. 

The scenery along the trail is quite pretty with bright green-coloured moss covering the landscape in sections. When you arrive at Lake Marian the landscape is breathtaking. 

14. Monkey Creek

A quick stop along the Milford Sound Highway, Monkey Creek is a glacier-fed spring with water so pure you can fill up your water bottle and drink straight from the source. Don’t worry, you won’t encounter any monkeys here. 

Apparently it was named this by a European settler, William Henry Homer, who worked as a surveyor in the Fiordland area in the 1800s and had a dog named Monkey. William himself was the namesake for the Homer Saddle and the Homer Tunnel that you’ll drive through on the final leg of the journey.  

15. Gertrude Valley Lookout

The Gertrude Valley Lookout is another picturesque stop located on your right side just before you reach the Homer Tunnel. It’s a quick stop for awesome views of the Darren Mountains. 

For a more challenging option, the full hike to Gertrude Saddle is a 4-6 hour advanced hike that will reward you with incredible views over the valley and Milford Sound. This hike is quite dangerous and only suitable for experience hikers. 

16. Homer Tunnel

Technically not a stop but a noteworthy part of the journey to Milford Sound. The Homer Tunnel is a 1.2km (0.75 mile) long road that cuts through the Darren mountain range. The tunnel was completed in 1953 after 19 years of challenging construction. The road is narrow but sealed, and the walls of the tunnel remain unlined granite.

During the summer months, there is a traffic light that operates so the flow of traffic is one way in and out of the tunnel. You may be waiting up to 20 minutes for the lights to change. There is a countdown timer on the lights letting you know how much wait time you have and, if time allows, a good opportunity to hop out of the car and snap some photos of the incredible scenery.   

17. Hundred Falls

The Hundred Falls is another quick photo stop just past the Homer Tunnel, worth doing only if it has been raining. As the name suggests, it is hundreds of tiny waterfalls cascading down the cliff face. It’s pretty spectacular if there’s been recent rainfall or if it is raining, which luckily it does a lot in Fiordland. If it hasn’t rained for awhile, there isn’t much to see as was the case on our most recent visit, but we had very unusual weather being dry and sunny!

18. The Chasm

The Chasm is an easy 20-minute walk from the Milford Sound Highway shortly before before you arrive at Milford Sound village. The walk takes you over two foot bridges over the Cleddau River where you can view, and hear, a series of thunderous waterfalls that over thousands of years have carved unique shapes and basins in the rock.

The Chasm track is opened with some restrictions due to storm damage. You can check for updates on the DOC website.

Now you’re almost to Milford Sound and ready to explore!

Related Read: Check out our guide to visiting Milford Sound including the top things to do, best time to go, where to stay and so much more!

Suggested Itineraries

With so many scenic stops along the way, including some fantastic hikes, as well as all the fun things to do in Milford Sound, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to fit it all in. Here are a few itineraries, based on our own experiences, that you may like to consider. 

It’s also worth noting that you may need to adjust your timing from May to October, when daylight hours are shorter.

Queenstown to Milford Sound Day Trip

You’ll be surprised at how much sightseeing you can fit into a day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound, especially with the long daylight hours during the summer months. With an early departure from Queenstown, you can take it slow and steady with a few scenic stops along the way, arriving in Milford Sound for an afternoon cruise before heading back to Queenstown. 

We recommend starting early, before 7am if possible, and head straight to Te Anau with a quick stop at the Devils Staircase Lookout (5 minutes) if the weather is fine. This should get you ahead of rush hour traffic in Queenstown as well as the tour buses heading to Milford Sound.

Te Anau is about the halfway point and a good place to stop for breakfast (try the Sandfly Cafe). It’s also an opportunity to stock up on snacks, water and fuel if you haven’t already.

Continue on the Milford Sound Highway (SH 94) to Milford Sound and check out some of the quick scenic stops along the way such as Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn and Monkey Creek. 

Travel through the Homer Tunnel, arriving at Milford Sound in time for an afternoon cruise. Here, you can grab a quick lunch at the cafe and after the cruise, take a stroll along the foreshore walk. 

On the way back to Queenstown, stop at the Gertrude Saddle and Pop’s View Lookout points, both quick stops. Stopping for dinner in Te Anau is a great way to break up the return journey to Queenstown. We really like Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso, the wood oven pizza is delicious!

Stay Overnight in Te Anau or Milford Sound

Stayng overnight in Te Anau or Milford Sound means you can take your time driving and fit in more of the scenic stops along the way, even a hike or two. You’ll also have time to do one of the longer cruises in Milford Sound if you wish, such as the cruise and kayak tour (worth it!). 

If you are staying overnight in Te Anau, start out from Queenstown with a stop at Ma Boulangerie bakery in Frankton for a coffee (the best coffee!) and fresh pastry before hitting the road. Take your time driving to Te Anau making the the most the of the stops along the way. Spend the afternoon exploring Te Anau before grabbing dinner and enjoying sunset by the lakefront. 

Get an early start the next morning and beat the tour buses, stopping at the scenic stops between Te Anau and Milford Sound along the way, including one of the hikes if that’s your thing. Key Summit is awesome if it’s a clear day and the Lake Marian track is one of my all time favorites. If you are an experienced hiker and only have time for one hike on this trip, Lake Marian is our top choice.

You’ll arrive in Milford Sound in time for an early afternoon cruise and time to explore the area before heading back to Queenstown. If you prefer, you can split up the stops to do some on the way there and some on the way back to break up the journey.

If you choose to stay at Milford Lodge we recommend leaving Queenstown early,  stopping for a bite to eat in Te Anau and taking your time to stop at the places that interest you along the way to Milford Sound. Enjoy a sunset walk along the foreshore at Milford Sound (don’t forget to bring insect repellent!). Then, book in for one of the early cruises the following morning. 

After you’re done exploring Milford Sound, you can stop at any of the places you didn’t get to on the way there or fit in another hike on your way back to Queenstown. 

Stay Two Nights 

If you choose to stay for two nights we recommend one night in Milford Sound and one night in Te Anau, although two nights in Te Anau would work just as well. Here’s why, I’m sharing the exact itinerary we did recently and it was our favorite one yet. 

Departing Queenstown early, we set off for Milford Sound stopping in Te Anau to eat as well as many of the scenic spots listed above along the way. We hiked the Lake Marian Track that afternoon. At this point, you could make your way through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound for the night. Or, head back to Te Anau after the hike. 

The next day we spent the morning walking the Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls. Then, spent the afternoon experiencing Milford Sound by cruise and kayak, and exploring the area on foot, strolling along the foreshore walk and up to the Milford Sound Lookout before heading back to Te Anau. 

On the way back we stopped at a couple more stops that we missed on the way there. We arrived back to Te Anau just in time for sunset and grabbed some photos at the lakefront wharf. 

The next morning we got up super early and drove to Manapouri to catch a 7am Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise, an absolutely incredible experience. Arriving back to Manapouri at around 2pm, we stopped for lunch at The Church, an old church that was turned into a pub, before heading back to Queenstown. 

There are so many highlights in this itinerary and we really enjoyed the variety of experiences. It’s worth the extra night if you have the time.

Conclusion

Driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound is the ultimate South Island road trip experience! One that will take you through small rural towns, scenic landscapes and unique attractions. No matter how many stops you make along the way it is bound to be a memorable journey. We hope this guide helps you plan an incredible trip to one of the most stunning regions in New Zealand.

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