# Te Anau to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel

> 3-day road trip of about 171 km (107 mi) with 9 stops, from Te Anau to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. About 1 h 52 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/nzz-milford-road/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 171 km (107 mi) with 9 stops, from Te Anau to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. About 1 h 52 min of driving in total. Fiordland’s lake town, Lake Manapōuri and the 120-kilometre Milford Road through glacier-cut valleys to the fiord.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 171 km (107 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 52 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Te Anau → Milford Sound / Piopiotahi |
| States | New Zealand |
| Updated | May 5, 2026 |

## Route description

Base yourself in Te Anau, where the supermarket and last fuel before Milford are. Take the Glowworm Caves boat trip, which needs booking, and walk the first section of the Kepler Track from the Control Gates, about five kilometres out. Doubtful Sound trips leave from Manapōuri, 20 kilometres south on SH95; the road is sealed and wide, with the lake coming into view just before the town.

On day two, check the road status with NZTA and DOC before leaving, as snow, rockfall and avalanches can close SH94 at short notice. It is about 120 kilometres, 2 hours and 15 minutes without stops. Fuel up, carry chains in winter, and keep to 100 km/h on the open roads. Stop at the Mirror Lakes boardwalk about an hour out of Te Anau.

Further on the road climbs the Hollyford and Cleddau valleys to Homer Tunnel, about 1.2 kilometres long, with a steep downhill grade and traffic lights at each end. Large vehicles may queue for a long time at peak hours, so allow 20 minutes or more. Keas visit the car park at the east portal. Never feed them, and secure any open windows and bags.

Below the tunnel stop at The Chasm, a short forest walk to a rock gorge on the Cleddau River, then continue to Milford Sound. Cruises are booked by operators and need advance reservation in summer. There is no fuel in Milford, and overnight camping is not available at the fiord itself, so plan to return to Te Anau or use a DOC campsite along the road; check fees and booking.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Te Anau** (New Zealand)
2. **Te Anau Glowworm Caves** (Te Anau, New Zealand): A limestone cave system on the far shore of Lake Te Anau, with a stream and a tour that ends in a boat ride under glowworms. The trip starts with a lake crossing from the township. Tours are by booking only, so reserve ahead in summer.
3. **Kepler Track Control Gates** (Te Anau, New Zealand): The start of the Kepler Track, a Great Walk, at the southern end of Lake Te Anau, about five kilometres from town. Easy day walks lead through beech forest to Brod Bay on the shore. Overnight huts and campsites on the full track must be booked.
4. **Manapōuri** (New Zealand)
5. **Pearl Harbour, Lake Manapōuri** (Manapōuri, New Zealand): The wharf on Lake Manapōuri where boats leave for the power station and the Doubtful Sound trips, with views across the lake to the mountains. Parking is available at the terminal. Doubtful Sound cruises combine a lake crossing and a coach over Wilmot Pass and need advance booking.
6. **Mirror Lakes** (Te Anau, New Zealand): Small ponds beside the Milford Road in the Eglinton Valley, reached by a short boardwalk, where still mornings reflect the Earl Mountains. The stop is about an hour from Te Anau. Park in the lay-by and keep to the boardwalk, as the surrounding ground is soft.
7. **Homer Tunnel** (Te Anau, New Zealand): A tunnel of about 1.2 kilometres blasted through rock and opened in 1953, on a downhill grade towards Milford Sound. Traffic is controlled by lights and can queue at busy times. Keas often gather at the eastern end, so keep food and gear secured.
8. **The Chasm** (Te Anau, New Zealand): A short walk through beech forest leads to a viewing platform above the Cleddau River where the water has carved smooth potholes in the rock. The walk takes about 20 minutes return from the car park. It is a good rest stop on the road down to Milford Sound.
9. **Milford Sound / Piopiotahi** (Te Anau, New Zealand): A fiord framed by Mitre Peak and rain-fed waterfalls, explored by cruise from the terminal at the end of SH94. Boats and kayaks need booking in summer, and rain makes the waterfalls impressive. There is no fuel at Milford, so fill up in Te Anau.

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Te Anau → Pearl Harbour, Lake Manapōuri** (42 km, 0 h 27 min) On the way: Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Kepler Track Control Gates, Manapōuri.
2. **Day 2: Pearl Harbour, Lake Manapōuri → Mirror Lakes** (85 km, 0 h 56 min)
3. **Day 3: Mirror Lakes → Milford Sound / Piopiotahi** (44 km, 0 h 29 min) On the way: Homer Tunnel, The Chasm.

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Te Anau to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel?**
3-day road trip of about 171 km (107 mi) with 9 stops, from Te Anau to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. About 1 h 52 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Te Anau to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel?**
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 52 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Te Anau to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel start and end?**
It starts in Te Anau and ends in Milford Sound / Piopiotahi.

**Which states does Te Anau to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel pass through?**
New Zealand.

**When is the best time for Te Anau to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel?**
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)