Queenstown to Milford Sound Drive: 2-Day Itinerary with the Best Stops
If you want my best advice for driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound, it’s this: allow at least 2 days for the journey. The drive to Milford Sound is just as epic as Milford Sound itself (yes, really!).
I live in Queenstown and do this drive often, and while you can drive to Milford Sound as a day trip from Queenstown, I wouldn’t recommend it. With stops, it’s a round-trip of more than 12 hours, and you’ll miss so much of the magic that makes this drive special.
Instead, plan for two full days to properly experience the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound.
This way, you can stop at scenic viewpoints, enjoy a Milford Sound cruise, and explore some of Fiordland’s most beautiful walking trails instead of just zipping past it all.
In this guide, I’m sharing my favourite 2-day Queenstown to Milford Sound itinerary, including the best stops along the way, where to stay, and plenty of local tips to make the most of this unforgettable drive.
FYI: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). I only share products & services I use, love & would recommend to a friend.
Map of the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound
Where to hire a car or campervan for your Queenstown to Milford Sound drive
🚙 Car hire: I use Discover Cars to compare prices on car rentals in New Zealand. I’m also a big fan of Apex rentals.
🚐 Van hire: Motorhome Republic is my go-to resource for finding campervan rentals in New Zealand. I also like JUCY campervans, and their Queenstown depot makes them an easy choice for this trip!
Queenstown to Milford Sound Drive: 2-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Queenstown to Te Anau
🚙 Drive time: 170 km | 2 hours 15 minutes
Your road trip kicks off today with the first part of the journey: the drive from Queenstown to Te Anau.
Te Anau is a relaxed lakeside town known as the “Gateway to Milford Sound.”
With a plethora of eateries and accommodation (and far fewer sandflies than Milford Sound), it makes the perfect base for your journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound.
Morning: drive to Te Anau
This morning, you’ll head out of Queenstown and start making your way south to Te Anau.
To fuel up before your drive, grab breakfast and coffee in Queenstown. Odelay Cafe in Frankton is a good spot for a sit-down breakfast, or pick up a pastry and coffee from Ma Boulangerie, a French bakery with excellent croissants.
After leaving Queenstown, you’ll drive beneath the towering Remarkables mountain range and skirt alongside Lake Whakatipu on a winding road known as the “Devil’s Staircase.”
It’s such a stunning drive that it can be a bit hard to keep your eyes on the road; luckily, there’s a handy lookout where you can safely pull over for views and photo-ops.
Once you’ve driven beyond Lake Whakatipu, the landscape opens up to rolling hills and sheep-dotted farmland, and the road is far less winding from here to Te Anau.
If you need a coffee or toilet break, stop in Garston, where you’ll find public toilets and the Coffee Bomb food and coffee truck. The Hunny Shop here is also worth a look; their local wild thyme honey is delicious, and makes a great souvenir.
From Garston, it’ll take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Te Anau on a fairly straightforward, well-signed drive.
Further reading: the best stops on the drive from Queenstown to Te Anau
Midday/Afternoon: explore Te Anau
Te Anau sits on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the second largest lake in New Zealand. It’s a peaceful place with plenty to do in the nearby area.
If you’d like some lunch in Te Anau, I recommend getting a souvlaki or falafel wrap from the Blak Shak, or sit down for lunch at the lovely Sandfly Cafe. For a snack, head to Miles Better Pies.
With an afternoon in Te Anau, you’ve got options for how to spend the rest of the day.
My favourite thing to do in Te Anau is to do a day walk on part of the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.
I highly recommend walking from the Control Gates to Brod Bay (5.6 km; 2.5-3 hours return) or Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay (6 km; 3-3.5 hours return).
Both trails are relatively flat and lead you through a canopy of beech forest amongst lush ferns. You’ll likely hear or see plenty of native birdlife, too (I saw a kea on the Brod Bay track last time I was here)!
Alternatively, you could take a cruise to see glow worm caves on the western shores of Lake Te Anau.
Evening: relax and get ready for tomorrow’s drive to Milford Sound
Tomorrow’s drive is going to be jam-packed, so keep tonight easy. Relax, have some dinner, and get prepped for the drive to Milford Sound.
For a relaxing activity in Te Anau, head to Fiordland Cinema to see the Ata Whenua – Shadowland film. It’s only a 30-minute film, but it’s filled with incredible scenery that’ll stoke the excitement for tomorrow’s journey into Fiordland National Park. You can get a glass of wine or a local beer from the bar at the cinema, too.
Another option is to head to the Marakura Wharf for golden-hour views and photo-ops.
Dining options in Te Anau can be hit-or-miss, but I can recommend either Ditto or Redcliff Cafe for dinner (make a booking if you decide on Redcliff, as it fills up quick!).
Before bedtime, get everything ready for tomorrow’s drive, so you can get an early start.
Pack your snacks and drinking water, fill up your vehicle with fuel, and have your raincoat and insect repellent handy. And I’ll just say this: tomorrow is going to be incredible!
Day 2: Te Anau to Milford Sound
🚙 Drive time: 118 km | 2 hours+ one-way (without stops)
Today, you’re getting to the good part: the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound!
Unless you plan to stay at Milford Sound (which has extremely limited accommodation, and lots of sandflies), you’ll do a day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound, heading back to your accommodation in Te Anau tonight.
Give yourself a full day for the drive to and from Milford Sound. There is just so much to see and do along the way.
Morning: drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound
I highly recommend getting an early start today. I’d leave Te Anau by 8am to make an 11am or 12pm Milford Sound cruise.
The reason? Most tour buses make it to Milford Sound for a 1pm cruise. This means that if you get there earlier, you’ll beat some of the crowds and hopefully have a less-busy experience.
After leaving Te Anau, you’ll follow Lake Te Anau for a bit before the mountains begin to rise up in front of you and the road narrows along the Eglinton Valley.
On this morning’s drive to Milford Sound, make a quick stop at Mirror Lakes, which reflect the surrounding mountains on a clear, calm day. Morning is usually the best time for calm conditions.
When you reach the Homer Tunnel, you’ll likely need to wait for a while (sometimes up to 20 minutes), as traffic is one-way and controlled by traffic lights. With incredible views all around you—and possible kea sightings—waiting won’t feel like a chore in the slightest.
After leaving the Homer Tunnel, you’ll wind down to the Cleddau Valley along a series of hairpin turns. The scenery is jaw-dropping, with waterfalls pouring down steep mountains and lush beech forest lining the valley floor.
Once you reach Milford Sound, you’ll need to park—and you’ve got two options:
- Paid parking at Milford Sound ($10 per hour)
- Free parking at Deepwater Basin
I always go for the free parking option at Deepwater Basin, which is an easy 20-30 minute walk from the cruise terminal.
Whichever parking option you choose, I’d plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before your cruise departure to ensure you make your cruise on time.
Late Morning / Midday: cruise on Milford Sound
Milford Sound is best seen from the water, and a cruise is the most popular way to do it (although you can opt for a kayaking tour, too!).
There are heaps of options for Milford Sound cruises, most of which take about 1.5-2 hours.
A cruise of Milford Sound will typically include views of Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls; and a visit to see Seal Rock, which is home to NZ fur seals.
You might see even more wildlife in the water—like dolphins and penguins—if you get really lucky.
Honestly, the cruises all pretty much go the same route, so I don’t think you can really go wrong.
That being said, I love the Southern Discoveries Nature Cruise, which includes an option to add on a picnic lunch if you’d like.
🚢 Check availability for the Southern Discoveries Nature Cruise! ➡️
Afternoon: drive back to Te Anau, with stops & walks on the way
Once you’ve finished your Milford Sound Cruise, stretch your legs with a walk along the Milford Foreshore Walk before hopping back in the car. This easy walk takes only 30 minutes and gives you great views over Milford Sound and Mitre Peak.
Then it’s time to hop back in the car to start making your way back to Te Anau, with some stops along the way!
For short stops along the drive back, check out the Chasm, Monkey Creek, and the Pop’s View Lookout.
I also recommend a day walk this afternoon, as the Milford Road is lined with gorgeous trails (some of the best hikes in the South Island!). I’d choose from one of these walk options:
- Key Summit Track (3 hours | 7 km | moderate ) – covering a section of the Routeburn Track, this popular walk leads you to panoramic views over Fiordland National Park. It’s best done on a clear day, since it’s all about the views.
- Lake Marian (3 hours | 6km | hard) – a rough tramping track takes you up to picturesque Lake Marian, an alpine lake in a hanging valley.
- Lake Gunn (45 minutes | 1.4 km | easy) – this short, easy walk loops through lush beech forest and gives you views of Lake Gunn and the surrounding mountains.
Once you’ve explored scenic viewpoints and hiked to your heart’s content, make your way back to Te Anau.
Evening: Relax in Te Anau
After such a big day, I’m guessing you’ll be tired (I always am after this drive!).
Have a relaxed dinner in Te Anau before getting a good night of sleep. I often opt for a takeaway dinner after a long day of exploring Fiordland National Park; I like Ditto or La Toscana for takeaways.
Practical Tips for Driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound
- Before setting off from Te Anau, make sure to fill up with petrol. It’s the last place to do so before Milford Sound.
- For your Milford Sound day, pack snacks and drinking water. Food options are very limited once you leave Te Anau, so it’s best to be prepared. If you don’t book a Milford cruise that includes lunch, it’s a good idea to pack some sandwiches or other picnic lunch supplies.
- Wear sturdy walking shoes/hiking boots if you plan to do any walks. A raincoat is also a good idea (it rains year-round in Fiordland!), as is insect repellent (the sandflies can be quite bad in Fiordland National Park). Bring sunscreen too, and a hat—when the sun shines in New Zealand, it’s strong!
- I’ve mentioned this above, but it’s worth repeating: try to leave Te Anau by 8am on your Milford Sound day trip. This will help you beat some of the tour bus crowds and give you time for a whole day of exploring.
- Along Milford Road, you might encounter kea, New Zealand’s cheeky alpine parrot. They might approach you, but it’s important to not feed them.
- Public toilets can be found in multiple locations along this drive. From Queenstown to Te Anau, there are public toilets in Garston & Mossburn. From Te Anau to Milford Sound, there are public toilets at Knob’s Flat.
- If you plan to do this drive in winter, make sure to carry chains with you and know how to use them. You may encounter ice on the roads, and the Milford Road can sometimes close due to avalanche risk. Check on the road conditions before setting out.
- Book your Te Anau accommodation & Milford Sound cruise well in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly if you plan to visit in January or February (peak season).
The Best Time of Year to Drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound
The best time of year to drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is between November through April. This will give you the longest daylight hours, and the best chance of avoiding snow and ice on the roads.
From May through October, you may encounter winter conditions along this route, including snow, ice, and avalanche risk along Milford Road. You can still do this drive in winter, but it really depends on the conditions that season and on the particular day you plan to drive.
I often recommend that people take a tour of Milford Sound during the winter months, unless they’re comfortable with winter driving conditions.
Where to Stay
For most people, the best option is to stay 2 nights in Te Anau, with a day trip to Milford Sound on Day 2 of the itinerary.
There are way more accommodation and dining options in Te Anau vs Milford Sound, and way less sandflies.
Alternatively, if you’re campervanning or want to splash out on the Milford Sound Lodge, you could stay in Milford Sound.
Where to stay in Te Anau
- Budget ($) – a cabin at the Tasman Holiday Park
- Mid-range ($$) – Lakefront Lodge Te Anau
- Higher end ($$$) – Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments
- Camping: Tasman Holiday Park or the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park
Related read: the best campsites in Te Anau & Milford Sound
Where to stay in Milford Sound
There’s only one accommodation and camping option in Milford Sound: The Milford Sound Lodge.
The Milford Sound Lodge has luxurious chalets lining the Cleddau River, and if you’re up for a splurge, this is a gorgeous place to stay.
For campervanners, the Milford Sound Lodge Rainforest Campervan Park is a lovely campground, with private sites tucked away in native bush.
Alternatively, if you’re camping, you could head to the Cascade Creek DOC Campsite, located about 1 hour from Milford Sound along the Milford Highway.
Tip: If you want to stay or camp at Milford Sound, make sure you book far in advance, because it books out early!
Thanks for reading my guide to the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound!
I truly hope this has helped you plan your visit to Milford Sound.
As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!
Some South Island Itineraries for you
If you’re planning a larger road trip around the South Island, you might find these itineraries helpful ⤵️
Hi Jac
Thanks for your write up on a 2 day trip to Milford sound. It’s very helpful.
We will be there in October and we aren’t used to ice roads (we are from Perth WA) I was thinking to drive from Queenstown to Dunedin and Invercargill and up to Te Anau and Milford Sound or the other way round. What do you think and what would we see further sound?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Julie
Hi Julie!
Thanks for reading – I’m so glad to hear it was helpful.
How many days will you have for your trip?
There’s a nice loop called the “Southern Scenic Route” that covers those places, with the Catlins being a favourite area of mine down there.
The Catlins is quite remote (you’ll want to stock up on groceries en route and self-cater), but it has beautiful waterfall walks and opportunities to spot sea lions and penguins. Curio Bay or Kaka Point are good places to stay, but have limited accommodation.
Depending on how much time you have, you could do something like this (or in reverse) –
-Queenstown (2-4 nights)
-Te Anau / day trip to Milford Sound (2 nights in Te Anau)
-The Catlins (1-2 nights)
-Dunedin (2 nights)
-Back to Queenstown via Central Otago
I hope that helps!
Cheers,
Jac