Milford Road is a truly epic road in New Zealand
New Zealand, oceania
118 km
1,280 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for the Milford Road, an absolutely stunning drive slicing through South West New Zealand from Te Anau to Milford Sound!
This paved beauty, part of State Highway 94, carves its way for 118km through Fiordland National Park, a chunk of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Seriously, this is wilderness on steroids.
Construction took ages, starting in 1929 during the Great Depression and finally wrapping up in 1953 (with a little break for WWII).
Budget about 1.5 to 2 hours for the drive, but pro tip: triple that. You'll be stopping every five minutes to gawk! Think Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting the Earl Mountains, the cascading waterfalls of the Cleddau River, and the mind-bending Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain. Lord of the Rings vibes are strong here, with mighty cliffs, snow-capped peaks, and fern trees doing their gravity-defying thing. This is the *only* road to Milford Sound, a must-see.
Don't miss the Homer Tunnel, a 1,270-meter-long feat of engineering carved straight through solid granite!
Clocking in at 940 meters above sea level at its highest point, this is one of the highest highways in New Zealand. Winter can be wild, with snow a real possibility. Chains are a must between June and November (and legally required!). Even in summer, snow can fall on the higher parts. Avalanches can be a threat in winter, too.
This is remote territory, so fill up the gas tank in Te Anau (limited fuel is available at Gunns Camp and Milford Sound). Keep your wits about you, as the injury crash rates are a bit higher than average in New Zealand. Landslips, treefalls, and washouts can happen anytime, causing closures. Flooding can also happen, especially near rivers.
Where is it?
Milford Road is a truly epic road in New Zealand is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -42.0857, 174.0958
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 118 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,280 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -42.0857, 174.0958
Related Roads in oceania
hardMelbourne to Sydney Road Trip Stops
🇦🇺 Australia
The epic Melbourne to Sydney drive? Totally doable, clocking in at around 860 km. Ditch the boring inland route and hug the coast for a ride that's all about stunning scenery and some seriously fun driving through national parks and cute little towns. Kicking off south of Melbourne, the roads to Phillip Island and Wilsons Prom are smooth sailing, though they can get a little crowded when everyone's trying to escape the city. "The Prom" is pure magic – granite mountains, lush forests – but keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, especially when the sun's coming up or going down. It's a perfect spot to give your ride a little check-up before the real adventure begins. Cruising into New South Wales, Narooma is the ideal spot to fuel up both your car and yourself. The coastal views here are postcard-perfect, but the roads demand your attention as you weave through those charming coastal villages. Further north, Jervis Bay is a must-see. Getting to those dreamy spots like Hyams Beach means navigating through some tight, forested sections with narrow shoulders. Give everyone some space and watch out for sudden traffic near the beach entrances. Heading inland towards the Southern Highlands, you'll hit Fitzroy Falls. The roads here get a little more challenging, with steeper climbs and tighter turns as you leave the coast behind. Back down towards the ocean, you can’t miss the Sea Cliff Bridge on the Grand Pacific Drive. This engineering marvel hangs right over the ocean, avoiding those pesky cliffside rockfalls. Don't get too distracted by the views! Save the gawking for the designated lookout points. The final stretch before Sydney takes you through the Royal National Park, one of the oldest in the world. The roads here snake through coastal heathland and past dramatic sandstone cliffs. As you approach Sydney, traffic can get crazy, so be ready for slower speeds and lots of pedestrians near landmarks like Wedding Cake Rock. This last part is all about patience as you transition from those open roads to the big city chaos. This drive isn’t just about getting from A to B – it's about the journey. Treat it as a series of smaller adventures, stay alert, and make sure your car is up for the challenge. Keep an eye out for the local wildlife, stick to the road rules, and keep your ride in tip-top shape. This is a trip to remember!
moderateThe road to Cape Palliser Lighthouse is one of NZ's best coastal drives
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down the southern coast of New Zealand's North Island, Wellington region bound, for an unforgettable road trip to the iconic Cape Palliser Lighthouse. This isn't just any lighthouse; this beauty's been standing tall since 1897, perched at the North Island's southernmost tip. Get ready for a mini-workout because you'll need to conquer around 250 steps to reach it. Trust me, the panoramic views from the top of the 18-meter tower are worth every step! It's been automated since '86, but it still flashes its warning twice every 20 seconds. Cape Palliser Road? It's a 35 km (21-mile) stunner that kicks off from Lake Ferry Road. On one side, you've got dramatic cliffs; on the other, black-sand beaches and endless ocean views that will leave you breathless. Heads up: while most of the road is paved, the final 7.2 km (4.47 miles) turns to gravel and can get slick after a bit of rain. Take it slow around spots like Whatarangi where erosion can be an issue. Oh, and keep an eye out for the one-lane bridges – they add to the adventure! If you’re rolling in a rental, double-check your insurance covers unsealed roads, especially near the lighthouse. Once you reach the top, those sweeping vistas of Palliser Bay and the South Island are unreal. And don't forget to visit the nearby shoreline to spot the North Island’s largest fur seal colony. Seriously, this coastal drive is up there with the best in the world.
hardGreat Northern Highway is the longest and most remote paved road in the world
🇦🇺 Australia
Alright, buckle up road trippers, because the Great Northern Highway in Western Australia is an absolute epic! This is a seriously long haul – nearly 3,200 kilometres (almost 2,000 miles) connecting Perth to Wyndham. We're talking proper outback adventure here, people. Born back in '44 from a bunch of smaller tracks, it's now fully paved, so you *can* take pretty much anything. But let's be real, the comfier your ride, the better. Mostly it's a two-lane road, but keep an eye out for single-lane bridges, especially up in the Kimberley region. This isn't just a scenic drive though; it's a major freight route. That means a LOT of trucks, so stay alert! The weather plays a huge role too. Dry season? Dust. Wet season? Think boggy roads, or even roads completely underwater! Seriously, seasonal rains between November and May can flood sections under *metres* of water. Conditions change *a lot* over the entire route. So, what do you need to know? Take. It. Seriously. Pack plenty of water and fuel (you'll need it!), watch out for wildlife, and give those "road trains" (massive trucks!) plenty of space. Plan your trip meticulously and avoid driving at night if you can. Also, cell service? Spotty at best. But if you're prepared? The views are incredible, the remoteness is unreal, and you'll have one heck of a story to tell. Just remember to respect the road, respect the conditions, and enjoy the ride!
extremeDriving the sensational road to the Remarkables in Queenstown
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Craving a mountain adventure? Head to The Remarkables, a ski resort way up in Otago, New Zealand's South Island! This isn't just any drive; it's a climb to 1,622m (that's 5,321ft!). You'll be cruising on Remarkables Road, a 13.2 km (8.2 mi) stretch starting from State Highway 6, south of Queenstown. But wait, there's more! A service road at the resort can take you even higher, up to 1,844m (6,049ft). Now, about the road itself: Picture this – narrow sections winding through breathtaking scenery. The higher you go, the more likely you are to be floating *above* the clouds! It used to be a bit of a wild ride, but now it's much safer thanks to guardrails. The first 10km are paved, and the last 3km are gravel, but well-maintained. Get ready for steep climbs and hairpin turns—bottom gear is your friend here. We're talking a maximum gradient of 15% in spots and an average of nearly 10% overall. The road is usually open year-round, but snow can change things fast. Chains are a good idea after a snowfall; signs will tell you if they're needed for your vehicle type. If you're not feeling the drive, hop on a shuttle! Why "The Remarkables"? Some say it's because they're one of the few ranges running directly north to south. Locals whisper that early settlers were so blown away by the sunset views that they just *had* to call them "remarkable." The views? Unforgettable. Even without stopping, the drive takes about 25 minutes. But you WILL want to stop. Prime photo ops are around the 4km and 6km marks, with epic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers meeting. Get ready to say "wow!"