For the first 30min of the drive we will travel on the Devil's Staircase along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. We will stop for 10min to give you the opportunity to take a photo of this beautiful area.

Photo Stop

After more amazing mountain, river and farmland views we arrive in Te Anau, home to Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second largest lake. While in this idyllic town we will stop for a break and maybe meet some of the local animals or wildlife. Continuing along the lake we stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, to hear the stories and admire the views.

Continuing along the lake we stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, to hear the stories and admire the views.

Leaving Te Anau and entering Fiordland National Park we stop in Eglinton Valley. With views worthy of Lord of the Rings, this valley follows the path of an ancient glacier through Fiordland. One of the first major attractions as you enter the park, it really sets the scene for a journey that only get more impressive the deeper you get.

Our next stop on this epic adventure is Mirror Lakes for a short stroll to see the famous reflections of the Earl Mountains. Get the right day, take a good picture and no one with be able to tell which way is the right way up for the photo.

Continuing along the Milford Road we come across Lake Gunn. Named after a famous explorer and popular for fishing, often we will stop at Lake Gunn for some photos and to enjoy the peace.

Climbing in altitude we go deeper into the Darran Mountains and these views require another stop to admire and take photos. We are also entering the area where Kea (the world’s largest alpine parrot) like to live. Start keeping an eye out for these large, cheeky and colourful birds that never fail to thrill and entertain when found.

The Homer Tunnel is a 1.2 km (0.75 miles) long road tunnel in the Fiordland region of the South Island of New Zealand, opened in 1953. New Zealand State Highway 94 passes through the tunnel, linking Milford Sound to Te Anau and Queenstown, by piercing the Darran Mountains at the Homer Saddle.[1] It connects between the valley of the Hollyford River to the east and that of the Cleddau to the west.

Following the valleys to the sea we arrive at Milford Sound where you will board your Boutique Small Boat Cruise (the No. 1 Cruise operator in Milford Sound on TripAdvisor). The cruise has a duration of 1hr 45min and offers complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits

Explore Milford Sound

We will stop in Te Anau on the way home for 30min. Bathrooms and food available at this stop.

Sadly we must start to head back to Queenstown but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip and many stops and breaks along the way.

After the cruise on the way back we pull over to admire the elevated amazing views of the divide in the Southern Alps, close to the start of the Routeburn Track. While here the guide will tell you the stories of ancient Maori explorers.