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Picture this: You’re winding through beautiful alpine passes where Gandalf once rode, stopping at mirror-like lakes that reflect snow-capped peaks so perfectly, and cruising past waterfalls that tumble hundreds of metres into ancient fiords. Welcome to the Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip - arguably one of New Zealand's most famous drives (and that’s saying something in a country that’s basically one giant postcard).
Whether you’re searching for an epic Milford Sound trip, considering a quick Milford Sound day tour from Queenstown, or planning a multi-day NZ road trip, you’ve landed in the right place.
Why Queenstown Is The Perfect Starting Point
Queenstown isn’t called the adventure capital of the world for nothing. Starting your Milford Sound road trip here is basically like starting a marathon with an espresso shot of pure adrenaline.
The lakeside town sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range - and they truly are remarkable. Kiwis and tourists love to visit Queenstown as there are endless things to do! Bungy jumping, yes (it was invented here, commercially), jet-boating (of course), sky-diving (truly scenic), skiing, mountain biking, paragliding, white water rafting, lugeing, and skyline gondolas. Whatever you’re thinking of doing, Queenstown probably has it.
Queenstown also punches above its weight with world-class food options (hello Fergburger), boutique wineries in the nearby Gibbston Valley, cosy cafes, craft breweries, and some of the most photogenic sunsets you’ll ever see.
If you choose to spend a few days here before your road trip or come back to decompress after your Milford Sound adventure, factor in some extra time to explore.
Road Trip Details: What You Need to Know
Queenstown to Milford Sound is one of the most iconic routes of the South Island. Treat it as a standalone trip or link it to others like, Christchurch to Queenstown or Queenstown to West Coast. There is also an international airport you could fly to from Australia or around NZ.
How long is the road trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound?
The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is approximately 290 km (180 miles) one way. Drive time is about 4 hours each way, but with all the sights to see, budget at least 5-6 hours. The full road trip is almost 580 km, that’s why we recommend breaking it up into a 3-day journey.
Can you do Milford Sound as a day trip from Queenstown?
Short answer, yes. A Milford day trip from Queenstown is absolutely possible. There are plenty of coach tours that leave early and return late. If you’re short on time these tours are still worth it. Our verdict? A multi-day trip is best. Driving yourself means getting to stop at any place you like. You can stay overnight and not worry about being on someone else's timeline.
How difficult is the drive?
Road conditions: Both State Highway 6 and State Highway 94 are well maintained and sealed, but there are winding narrow sections.
Environment: The weather can be wet and foggy, and you likely won’t have phone reception for long sections.
If you’re feeling worried, just take your time and check road conditions before you go.
Best time of year to visit?
New Zealand weather is known to be unpredictable. Milford Sound averages 182 days of rain in a year - which is actually what makes it so spectacular. All that rain powers the hundreds of waterfalls. You can visit any time of year, just always be prepared for wet weather.
- Summer (December-February): Warmer weather (up to 30℃), longer daylight, more crowds.
- Autumn (March-May): The native trees don’t change colour but some trees in the towns do, daylight hours shorten, fewer tourists.
- Winter (June-August): Dramatic snow-capped scenery but roads can close due to avalanche risk. Check conditions daily.
- Spring (September-November): Wild flowers, unpredictable weather.
What to pack?
Our Spaceships campervans come loaded with all your camping essentials - bedding, blankets, cooking gear. You don’t need to lug around anything extra. What you do need is clothing for New Zealand's changing weather. Pack for four seasons in one day, and you're sorted.
- Waterproof jacket
- Layers - thermals, fleeces, breathable tops
- Quick-dry pants
- Footwear with good grip
- Daypack, water bottle, sunscreen and sunglasses
3-Day Road Trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound
Here’s a rough itinerary which will give you an idea of what to see and where to stop along the way. This route will take you from central Queenstown and back again.
Day 1: Queenstown to Te Anau (171 km)
Fire up the campervan and head south from Queenstown along State Highway 6 which curves around the beautiful Lake Wakatipu. The glacially carved lake stretches for 80 km and is in the shape of a lightning bolt - according to Maori legend, it was formed by the burning body of a giant. This stretch of road is extremely picturesque, so bring a camera and be prepared to stop for all those ‘wow’ moments.
Optional detour: Before heading south, we actually recommend heading along to Glenorchy. Located just 45 minutes from the centre of Queenstown, this area is set amongst peaceful lakes and mountain views. You can go hiking, kayaking, horse riding or jet boating, or you can enjoy a guided tour to visit all the famous film locations for Lord of the Rings. The tour will take you to the fictional destinations of Isengard, Lothlórien and Amon Hen so if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, make sure you set aside enough time to fit in a detour to Glenorchy!
Devils Staircase: About 40 minutes south from Queenstown is the scenic roadside lookout, Devils Staircase. Despite the name - there are no stairs involved! The lookout offers sweeping views of the Remarkables and the lake below.
Kingston: Continue south along SH6 and you’ll reach Kingston at the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu. There’s a sandy beach area where you can enjoy lake activities such as swimming, kayaking or fishing.
Te Anau: As you now head inland on Highway 94, rolling farmland gives way to tussock covered hills. Te Anau is the base camp of your Fiordland adventure. This lakeside town sits on the shore of Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second largest lake, with the Murchison Mountains to the west. It has all the essentials - supermarket, cafes, restaurants, and the last fuel station before Milford Sound, so don’t forget to fuel up here.
Te Anau Glowworm Caves: Where the stars shine all day! Explore a set of cave systems by boat where you can spot thousands of tiny glowworms lighting up the underground grottos like a starry sky. The tour runs year round and takes about 2.5 hours.
Kepler Track: Once in Te Anau you’ll have the option of exploring the various mountain tracks. The Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, starts right from Te Anau. You don’t have to commit to the full 3-4 day trek as there are a few shorter day hikes to choose from. Start from the car park or use the water taxi to get across to Brod Bay. There are also heli-hike experiences available.
Settle in for the night at one of Te Anau’s campgrounds (there are several around with a mix of powered and unpowered sites, like the Top 10 Holiday Park or Henry Creek Campsite). Cook up dinner in the campervan’s kitchen and watch as the sun sets over the lake.
Day 2: Te Anau to Milford Sound (119 km)
The day you’ve been waiting for! The Te Anau to Milford Sound stretch of State Highway 94, known as the Milford Road, is considered one of the most scenic drives on the planet. And that’s not a travel blog exaggeration, it’s genuinely amazing.
Again, don’t forget to get petrol at Te Anau, you’ll need this fuel to get there and back. Try to leave early if you can to beat some of the tour bus traffic and download any maps or info you may need as there is zero cell reception for most of the journey.
Eglinton Valley: The first section out of Te Anau takes you through Eglinton Valley. It's flat, wide and surrounded by beech forested mountains. The Eglinton River flows through, and you may even spot a deer grazing. There are lots of places to pull over and snap a pic, though the photos never do it justice.
Mirror Lakes: 56 km from Te Anau you’ll see the signposted car park for Mirror Lakes. It’s a 5-minute walk along a boardwalk to a series of small tarns that, on calm days, reflect the Earl Mountains perfectly. The sign “Mirror Lakes” is even written upside down so it reads correctly in the reflection. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to visit for the calm water.
Homer Tunnel: If you want to get to Milford Sound, you’ll have to drive through the Homer Tunnel. The 1.2 km tunnel was hand-carved through solid rock, starting in 1935 and finishing in 1953. Traffic is controlled by lights at either end, so you might need to wait a few minutes.
Cleddau Valley & The Chasm: After the tunnel, the road descends through the Cleddau Valley where waterfalls tumble down sheer rock faces on both sides. It’s spectacular after rain (so most days). The Chasm is a 20 minute return walk, about 9 km from Milford Sound. Stop here to see where the Cleddau river has carved bizarre shapes that look like they belong on another planet into the stone over thousands of years.
Milford Sound: You’ve made it! The road ends at Milford Sound (which is technically a fiord, not a sound). Mitre Peak rises 1,692 m straight out of the water, waterfalls pour down vertical cliff faces, and if you're lucky you may see dolphins or seals. Here is what you can do:
- Scenic cruises: Cruises range from 1.5 to 2 hours and depart all throughout the day. You will head out into the fiord to see Stirling Falls, Bowen Falls, and the coastal entrance to the Tasman Sea. Book ahead - these tours fill up fast, especially in summer. There are lots of options to choose from all with different experiences.
- Overnight cruises: Overnight cruises let you stay on the fiord after the day trippers leave. You’ll get to see the gorgeous sunset and sunrise over the water.
- Kayaking & water activities: Several operators offer guided kayaking trips through the fiord and surrounding waterways. You could even go diving, an incredible and unique experience.
- Milford Track (day walk): Boat across the fiord to the Milford Track trailhead (another Great Walk). Tackle the first section from Sandfly Point to Giant Gate Falls, an 11 km return route that takes roughly 3-4 hours. Must be pre-booked.
Camping options at Milford Sound are limited. Milford Sound Lodge offers 20 powered sites that are very sought after - book early if you can. Otherwise, head back along Milford Road towards Te Anau and stay at one of the DOC campsites like Cascade Creek Campsite, Upper Eglinton Campsite or Kiosk Creek Campsite.
Day 3: Milford Sound to Queenstown (287 km)
The return journey retraces your steps. Today’s the day to do anything you may have skipped or just relax and enjoy the scenery on the way back to Queenstown. You passed these walks yesterday, but today you might have the time:
Lake Gunn Nature Walk: Close to Mirror Lakes is an easy 45-minute loop track around Lake Gunn through ancient red beech forest. The forest floor is carpeted with moss and the lake itself is serene.
The Divide & Key Summit Track: The Divide is a point along the Milford Road where the trailhead for the Routeburn Track (another Great Walk) and the start of the much shorter Key Summit Track are located. The Key Summit Track is a 3-hour return hike that rewards you with 360-degree alpine views across 3 valleys. It’s steep, but worth it!
Head back along Highway 94 into Te Anau, grab some food here, or push straight on to Highway 6 and into Queenstown. If you didn’t pop to Glenorchy on Day 1, you could do this now. Or, Arrowtown (20 minutes north of Queenstown) is also worth a detour. This charming gold-mining town has tree lined streets, cafes, shops, and you can pan for gold in the Arrow River.
Ready to Blast Off Into the Magic?
You’ve got your itinerary. You know what to expect. You know where to stop, when to hike, and why the Homer Tunnel is actually kind of cool. The only thing left to do is do it.
The best part is a Spaceship's campervan gives you complete freedom to do it your way. No tour bus schedules, no rushing, no compromises. You’ve got your kitchen, your bed, and the open road ahead.