GETTING FROM TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND (SELF GUIDED VS GUIDED TOURS): THE ULTIMATE GUIDE!
WANDERING HOW TO GET FROM TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND?
TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND OPTION 1:
GUIDED DAY TOURS
One of the most convenient ways to get from Te Anau to Milford Sound for a Milford Sound cruise is booking onto a guided tour. We highly recommend this 5* Badge of Excellence rated ‘Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau‘.
This option gives visitors full peace of mind that all transfers, unmissable scenic stops along the way, a packed lunch and ultimately the ticket to the Milford Sound cruise is all included, meaning all responsibility is taken care of so you can just sit back and enjoy your day trip!
TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND OPTION 2:
SELF DRIVING
For those who want total freedom when travelling up from Te Anau to Milford Sound, it is of course possible to self drive yourself along the road to Milford.
Whether in a rental car or in your hired New Zealand campervan, this option gives you more flexibility to take your time as you travel, and stop off in lay-bys at your leisure to take photos, whereas in the guided tour only stops at the usual “Top 6” designated scenic tops (listed further below).
However this does also mean that you are responsible for getting yourself to Milford Sound in time for your scheduled cruise, which on that note, you will have to book separately.
Just before you reach the Milford Sound visitors centre at the end of the road to Milford, there is a large free car park on your left-hand side where you can park your vehicle for the duration of your cruise.
It’s worth noting that from here, it’s a 20 minute walk to the Visitors Centre. In Summer, there is a shuttle bus service.
Top Tip: Along the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound, you will have barely any phone signal or internet throughout the entire journey. Don’t get caught out, plan your stops before by downloading offline Google Maps app beforehand!
DRIVING CONDITIONS FROM TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND
WHAT ARE THE ROAD CONDITIONS LIKE BETWEEN TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND?
The condition of the road itself from Te Anau to Milford Sound is relatively well-kept. The whole way you will be driving on a sealed, single carriageway road that allows for two directional traffic.
While the majority of the road is flat, there are some areas where the road has been adapted to the mountain gradients, therefore expect some sharp, steep turns in localised sections.
Once section in particular we remember is located straight after the Homer Tunnel underpass, where you then slowly made your way down the mountain on a serpentining road.
IS IT SAFE TO SELF DRIVE YOURSELF FROM TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND?
Yes, for the majority of the year it is safe to self drive yourself from Te Anau to Milford Sound on Road 94, as it is on the most part a well maintained paved road.
That being said, you do need to be a relatively confident driver as Road 94 does include some sharp road turns, a long underpass tunnels and potentially unpredictable weather conditions and sudden road closures to contend with:
DRIVING TO MILFORD SOUND IN THE WINTER MONTHS:
Winter in New Zealand, mainly June to August, highly increases the avalanche risk along the road to Milford.
In fact, there is a specifically highlighted 21km “Avalance Zone” stretch, which is a strict no-stopping area throughout anytime of the year.
This may sound a bit frightening, but don’t panic! The Te Anau Traffic Association are extremely vigilant, and are constantly monitoring conditions every day to ensure Road 94 is safe to drive on. They would never let any vehicles enter or use the Road to Milford Sound if there is the slightest avalanche risk.
POTENTIAL ROAD CLOSURES:
Though reassuring, this does mean this can result in the Road to Milford Sound being suddenly closed off, with little to no warning.
Approaching Te Anau, you will see overhead road bulletins stating the Road 94’s current road conditions, and whether the route is open or closed. Or, you can easily check the daily status online here before you arrive.
SCENIC STOPS ON THE ROAD TO MILFORD SOUND
The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is famed as one of the most scenic drives in the world for good reason! Everywhere you look is like a painting, and it’s tempting to stop at every lay-by to take photos.
However, if you are on limited time and need to catch a cruise, listed below are the ‘Top 6’ scenic stops that you absolutely cannot miss on your route to Milford.
Conveniently, these are all the stops that Milford Sound guided tours (i.e. like our recommended Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau) always also stop at:
1. TE ANAU DOWNS – LOCATION HERE📍
2. EGLINTON VALLEY – LOCATION HERE📍
Fun Fact: The Eglinton Valley was featured in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, particularly for the “Misty mountains” shots.
Fun Fact: In 1861, the first Europeans explored this area and named the valley after the British Earl of Eglinton!
3. MIRROR LAKES – LOCATION HERE📍
Top tip: Just 5 minutes up from Mirror Lakes, stop off at Knob’s Flat toilets. This is the last opportunity to use a flush toilet (and pay phone if needed) on the Te Anau to Milford Sound road.
4. LAKE GUNN VIEWPOINT – LOCATION HERE📍
5. MONKEY CREEK – LOCATION HERE📍
Top Tip: Though technically situated within the no-stopping ‘Avalance Zone’, Monkey Creek is one of two safe stopping zones in this area.
Fun Fact: The water at Monkey Creek is so pure, it is safe to drink! So refill your water bottle here for some seriously tasty and fresh drinking water!
Fun Fact: Monkey Creek is also a popular site to see the notorious and incredibly cheeky Kea Parrot, endemic to New Zealand and the worlds only alpine parrot.
SPOTTED WILDLIFE!
The Kea Parrot
Many spotted at Monkey Creek! This incredible parrot species is as intelligent as a 4 year old human, cheeky, inquisitive and loves to destroy things – especially car rubber! They are endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, and are the world’s only alpine parrot. They are endangered with fewer than 5,000 remaining in the wild.
6. THE CHASM – LOCATION HERE📍
Psst! It is worth to noting that the ‘Top 6’ list below are all located on the left-hand side of the road when on route to Milford Sound, which is the correct driving side for New Zealand.
On the way back from Milford Sound to Te Anau, it is worth stopping for a photo opportunity at Hollyford Valley Lookout for amazing mountainous panoramas, which would then be on your correct side of the road.
THE END OF THE ROAD TO MILFORD SOUND: WHAT IS ACTUALLY THERE?
You may be wondering, what is actually at the end of the road to Milford Sound? What will I find there?
At the very end of the State Highway 94 (aka. the road to Milford Sound) you will find a large Milford Sound visitors centre:
OUTSIDE THE MILFORD SOUND VISITORS CENTRE:
Just outside the Milford Sound visitors centre there is a paid car park right near it, charging $25 to park. However, if you don’t mind a walk, there is also an alternative free car park with the catch of it being a 20 minute walk away along a designated boardwalk. In the Summer months, there is a shuttle bus service.
If you decide this option, be sure not to miss a go on the infamous Milford Sound swing that you will pass on the way.
INSIDE THE VISITORS CENTRE:
Heading inside the large Milford Sound visitors centre, you will find free public toilets, large seating / waiting areas and a collection of manned check-in desks for all Milford Sound cruise operators.
This includes companies such as GoOrange, Southern Discoveries, Real Journeys and of course JUCY Cruises.
Passing through and out the back of the visitors centre, you will all the boats docked up and ready to take you on your Milford Sound cruise!
TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND:
“KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S
WHAT IS THE CLOSEST TOWN TO MILFORD SOUND?
Te Anau is the closest town before the official road to Milford Sound begins, which is why it is also aptly known as the “Gateway to Fiordland”, making it the perfect first choice base for Milford Sound day trips.
In general, Te Anau is a small, chilled out lakeside town with not a long going on. There are only a few cute souvenir shops, cafes, a couple of petrol stations and a few supermarkets (the largest being Fresh Choice) here.
The second closest town to Milford Sound is Queenstown, and while it is possible to see Milford Sound in a day from Queenstown, you’ll be adding another 2 to 3 hours driving onto an already full day, so we would definitely advise using Te Anau as your base for Milford Sound.
This is why Milford Sound is not included on our Queenstown 3 day travel itinerary.
WHAT IS THE DISTANCE FROM TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND?
The driving distance from Te Anau town to Milford Sound is approximately 120km (74.5 miles).
CAN YOU DRIVE FROM TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND?
Yes, you can either self-drive or get driven by one of the organised day tours from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
There is only one main road to Milford Sound, State Highway 94, which begins from Te Anau and takes you directly to Milford Sound visitors centre. At the visitors centre, you will find all of the tour operators desks inside.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE FROM TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND?
If you were to drive through without stopping, it would take approximately 2 hours to drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
Of course, you certainly want to take extra time to stop at some key sights on route, so we would say more like 3 hours.
Likewise, this time frame may vary depending on the road conditions that day, which can sometimes prove challenging and unpredictable, especially during the colder Winter months.
CAN YOU SEE MILFORD SOUND FROM TE ANAU IN JUST A DAY?
Yes, from Te Anau it is very doable to drive to Milford Sound, complete a Milford Sound Cruise tour and then return back to Te Anau in a full day.
Whether on a guided day tour or self driving, this is what the majority of visitors do when visiting Milford Sound.
IS IT WORTH VISITING TE ANAU?
Yes, Te Anau is certainly worth visiting. It is most popular with visitors as it is geographically the closest town before the official “Road to Milford Sound” begins.
This is why Te Anau is aptly known as the “Gateway to Fiordland”, making it the perfect base for Milford Sound day trips. Te Anau itself is a small, quiet lakeside town.
There are only a few cute souvenir shops, cafes, a couple of petrol stations and a few supermarkets (the largest being Fresh Choice) in Te Anau.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MILFORD SOUND?
With the above in mind, if you are visiting as a “once in a lifetime” trip to New Zealand, we would advise the best time to visit Milford Sound would be avoiding late Winter to early Spring to reduce the chances of experiencing road closures and resultantly missing out on Milford Sound.
WHERE TO STAY IN TE ANAU
💎 Tasman Holiday Park – Te Anau
(We stayed here at a powered site for our camper)
💎 Fjordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN TE ANAU
Te Anau is a small, sleepy lakeside town, most famous for being the main base for Milford Sound trips. It does have a few souvenir shops, small supermarkets and cafés.
Te Anau does have a hidden gem that you can easily visit. In fact, thousands of them, as it is one of the best places in New Zealand to see glowworms!
Be sure to squeeze in an epic 2 hour “Te Anau Glow Worm Caves” tour (which includes a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau before you each reach the glowworm caves!) in before leaving.
Another great place to see glowworms in New Zealand is in Waitomo, which is included in our 10 day New Zealand North Island itinerary.
MILFORD SOUND FUN FACTS
- Classed as one of the eighth wonders of the world, Milford Sound has a UNESCO world heritage status.
- There are plants, geological rocks and animals at Milford that can be traced back to 80 million years ago!
- Despite its name, Milford Sound is actually a ‘Fiord’! A Sound is when a river valley becomes flooded by the sea, however this is not the case for Milford. Milford Sound was created by glacial erosion over time.
- That being said, Milford Sound is the only Fiord accessible by road!
- Surprisingly, Milford Sound has its own little village with approximately 120 permanent residents, most of whom work in local tourism and conservation. The village facilities are incredibly limited: One hotel (The Milford Lodge), a cafe, an information centre and no mobile signal!
- Most people who live at Milford Sound work in tourism and conservation. Because of its small size, there are no shops in Milford Sound, and definitely no mobile coverage; its limited facilities include a single accommodation provider (the Milford Lodge) and an information centre with a café.
- Milford Sound is one of the wettest places on Earth! It experiences rain almost 182 days of the year, and an average of 16/18 days of rainfall a month. The wettest months are September, October, November and December.
- Milford Sound is a wildlife haven, particularly for marine life. This includes 60 different species of bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins.
CONCLUSION: TE ANAU TO MILFORD SOUND
To conclude, whether you make your way from Te Anau to Milford Sound by self driving or taking our recommended 5* Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau, one thing is for sure – you will have the most amazing day in this jaw-dropping pocket of the world.
For those who are relatively confident drivers and enjoy the freedom of an unscheduled slower pace, driving yourself to Milford Sound from Te Anau is the way to go.
For those who would much prefer the comfort and reassurance that all arranged transport, the Milford Sound Cruise, epic guided commentary and scenic stops are all included, a guided day tour is the perfect option for you!
Have the most incredible time guys, and don’t forget to charge your camera – You’re going to need it for the constant photos you will be taking!
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
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