Queenstown to Milfordsound Self Drive Tour

The Kawarau River flows from Lake Wakatipu, rich in gold rush history and now famed for jet boating, rafting, and bungee jumping.

Peninsula Road leads to Kelvin Heights, home to Kunekune pigs and Lord of the Rings filming spots.

The Remarkables stand tall as a playground for hikers, skiers, and photographers seeking world-class alpine views.

A perfect panorama of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and mountain ranges stretching across the South Island.

A base for skiing, snowboarding, and alpine hikes, offering sunshine, snowfields, and mountain air.

Jacks Point blends luxury living with alpine beauty, golf greens, lake views, and elegant modern design.

Drift Bay features serene lake waters framed by rugged cliffs, a perfect display of Fiordland’s contrasts.

This dramatic highway hugs Lake Wakatipu’s cliffs, a scenic marvel born from early engineering triumphs.

A sweeping lake view mirrors snow-capped peaks and Māori legend the lake’s heartbeat is said to rise and fall.

Kingston marks the lake’s southern end, a peaceful town once home to the historic Kingston Flyer steam train.

This restored heritage station marks the terminus of the Kingston Flyer, a nostalgic rail gem of Southland.

New Zealand’s sheep outnumber people, shaping its farming heritage and producing world-class wool and lamb.

The Mataura River links Southland’s history and ecology sacred to Ngāi Tahu and vital for native fish.

Parawa’s deer farms showcase Southland’s rural pride, offering scenic farmland and friendly four-legged locals.

Rows of poplars line the road in perfect symmetry a quintessential Southland countryside view.

Farming defines Kiwi life a mix of tradition, humor, and pride in producing world-famous butter and cheese.

Stretching 170 km to Foveaux Strait, the Ōreti River sustains farmland and holds deep Māori cultural value.

The Māori are Aotearoa’s first people navigators guided by stars, shaping New Zealand’s language and identity.

Protected red tussocks color the plains in gold and copper, preserving rare native ecosystems.

A protected 88-hectare site conserving ancient bog pine forests and rare post-glacial plant life.

Sandflies thrive in Fiordland’s damp forests harmless but persistent; insect repellent is essential.

Te Anau, the “Place of Swirling Waters,” serves as the gateway to Fiordland’s vast wilderness.

Book a RealNZ cruise to see glowworms light up limestone caves beneath Fiordland’s lakefront.

Te Anau’s town centre features cozy cafés and local eateries before rejoining the scenic highway.

A volunteer-run collection preserving classic tractors and farming tools from New Zealand’s past.

Leaving Te Anau marks a new chapter Fiordland’s peaks and waterfalls await beyond the bend.

A peaceful lakeside stop showcasing Lake Te Anau’s reflective beauty framed by snow-capped ranges.

A short nature walk through beech forest to a still lake reflecting Fiordland’s serene beauty.

Starting point for the Milford Track one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, crossing Fiordland’s wilderness.

The Eglinton River winds through golden hills, gorse, forest, and crystal-clear waters merge here.

Ancient beech forest blankets the land in green, a living tunnel filled with moss, ferns, and birdsong.

A vast plain framed by towering peaks one of Fiordland’s most photographed natural landscapes.

A short boardwalk to crystal-clear lakes that perfectly reflect the Earl Mountains and Fiordland sky.

A scenic DOC campsite near Lake Gunn, surrounded by forest and blooming summer lupins.

Deep blue waters framed by rugged Fiordland peaks a postcard-perfect alpine vista.

One of New Zealand’s Great Walks, linking Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks with alpine beauty.

A panoramic viewpoint over glacial valleys and ancient forest, framed by Mount Christina and Mount Lyttle.

A clear mountain stream tumbles beside the road one of Fiordland’s easiest waterfall stops.

An alpine valley carved by glaciers, known for pure spring water and dramatic mountain scenery.

A vast glacial valley offering sweeping alpine views and the start of the Gertrude Saddle Track.

Towering cliffs release countless waterfalls, especially after rain Fiordland’s natural spectacle.

Carved through solid rock by hand, this 1930s tunnel connects Fiordland’s peaks to Milford Sound.

Post-tunnel views reveal dramatic cliffs, winding valleys, and Fiordland’s tallest peak, Mount Tūtoko.

Rain transforms the cliffs into a curtain of waterfalls Fiordland’s most spectacular natural show.

Water from the Cleddau River has sculpted rock basins and whirlpools raw Fiordland power.

Crossing a glacier-fed river beneath Fiordland’s highest peak a site rich in Māori heritage.

A moss-covered forest archway marks the final stretch toward Milford’s legendary scenery.

Fiordland’s crown jewel towering cliffs, roaring waterfalls, and cruises through world-famous fiords.

The cruise terminal area offers iconic views of Mitre Peak rising straight from the water.

Kayaking, diving, or scenic cruising Milford’s wild beauty up close at Deepwater Basin.

A calm drive back through Fiordland’s wild landscapes time to reflect on the journey.

The route to Lower Hollyford Road a detour through untouched forest and river valleys.

A forest trail to Lake Marian a glacial lake surrounded by steep, snow-capped peaks.

Fiordland National Park a UNESCO World Heritage site of mountains, lakes, and ancient rainforest.