Exceptional grandness of cliffs jutting upward from the ocean are the geological mark of continental collisions that formed Milford Sound, best known of the fiords that make up stunning Fiordland National Park, because it’s the only one that you can drive to and from on your New Zealand tour.
The journey to reach Milford Sound is as incredible as the geological wonder itself. The Milford Road, sole access route among 14 fiords comprising the national park, features a stunning alpine scenic drive through the landscape’s sheer scale. Milford Road Tracks and Walks New Zealand allow a chance to leave your car to explore a deeper wilderness.
This sealed road spans 74 miles (119 km) from Te Anau to the sound on a minimum 2-hour drive and is the departure point to great Milford Road Tracks and Walks, New Zealand. Make sure to have plenty of gas, as there is no gas station to be found along the road.
Milford Road Tracks and Walks, New Zealand feature numerous scenic overlooks and short walking opportunities en route. Kea, New Zealand’s mountain parrot, can be observed at some stops on the way.
The Milford Track denotes the first of Te Anau and Southland great walks, the DOC’s premiere routes through some of New Zealand’s most striking conservation places.
It’s one of two principal trails linking Fiordland with the rest of the South Island, once used by Maori to gather greenstone (pounamu). Tracing Maori legend and history, this is New Zealand’s best known walking track, attracting over 14,000 independent and guided trampers annually as they seek to make the best of their New Zealand vacation.
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Bowen Falls, a short walk from Milford, plunge 160 meters from a hanging valley and feature dense indigenous forest and spectacular waterfalls feeding into glacier-carved fiords and world famous walking tracks. |
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Another journey on Milford Road Tracks and Walks, New Zealand leads to The Chasm, an awesome bottomless basin sculpted by rock over time, where waters forcefully fall. Two wooden foot bridges cross over the Cleddau River at a point where the water spills into this natural wonder. |
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A route connecting these areas is Homer Tunnel. Once the largest gravel surfaced tunnel in the world, the now sealed and enlarged tunnel runs a straight path beside the East Homer Nature Walk, which describes alpine plants and animals on self guided signs. Avalanche safety precautions close this access during dangerous conditions.. |
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Humboldt Falls, the world’s tallest recorded somewhere between 265 and 275 meters, form a breathtaking lookout accessible on a short climb through rainforest from the end unsealed Hollyford Track trailhead.. |
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Eight kilometers off the Te Anau-Milford Road on Milford Road Tracks and Walks, New Zealand is Lake Gunn Camp and Museum / Hollyford Camp. Comfy cabins with wood/coal stoves, two sleeping rooms, and table and chairs in a central room offer cozy, affordable accommodation. There are no linens or cooking utensils, but the New Zealand camper will find a central block with toilets and hot showers.. |
| A small shop sells basic tramping supplies. Murray’s Museum has some fascinating local historical artifacts. A bit hoky, the camp is sprinkled with posted puns, jokes, and quirky objects.. |
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Back on the Milford Road Tracks and Walks, New Zealand, Lake Gunn Nature Walk is an easy 45-minute loop that reveals red beach forest and local valley bird life on the way to a lookout over a pebble beach. |
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Key Summit starts from the Divide carpark for an hourlong tramp along Routeburn Track until it branches off on a 20-minute climb to the summit . If you only have time for one walk, take this one past a self guided range of native vegetation and prolific birdlife for panoramic views of Greenstone, Hollyford, and Eglinton Valleys and snowy Darran and Humboldt Mountains. |
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A swingbridge off unsealed Hollyford Road takes you through past a spectacular series of waterfalls to a steep and sometimes muddy ascent to Lake Marian, a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains. In calm weather, magnificent reflections show in the water. |
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Routeburn Track features conservation projects, Maori and natural history over 32 kilometers of Fiordland National Parks and Mount Aspiring on Milford Road Tracks and Walks, New Zealand, maintained by the DOC. Fishing is a key activity. The DOC conducts aggressive stoat and rat control programs, to protect bats and bird species such as parakeets. |
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In Eglinton Valley, Knob’s Flat has a self guided interpretive display explaining the effects of avalanches on Milford Road as well as unique area wildlife. |
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Mirror Lakes are famous for their Earl Mountains reflections on calm weather days, which can be seen from a wheelchair accessible boardwalk. Interpretive panels provide information about local waterfowl, other wildlife, and wetland plants. |
| Lake Mistletoe in Te Anau Downs is reached by an attractive forest walk. Look for the sign posted opposite the Te Aunau Downs hotel complex. |
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Other Milford Road Tracks and Walks, New Zealand highlights, some with impressive views, include Te Anau-Fiordland National Park Visitor Center, Te Anau Wildlife Center, Monkey Creek, Pops View, and Falls Creek, Honey Creek, McKay Creek, and Five Mile Lookout. |
