The Homer Tunnel is a 1.2km tunnel that cuts through the Darran Mountain Range at the Homer Saddle and is the only way to get between Milford Sound and the rest of New Zealand.

Before the tunnel, the only way in was by boat or an incredibly long trek through the mountains! It took almost 20 years to complete and finally opened in 1953.

Since the tunnel is a one-way system, you’ll often have to wait at the traffic lights, especially in summer when there’s more traffic. We visited in September (outside of the peak season) and waited about 20 minutes, but honestly, it didn’t feel like a waste of time.

The views from the car are incredible. There are towering cliffs, waterfalls and if you're lucky, a misty, rainy atmosphere that makes everything feel extra dramatic. Fiordland might be the only place in the world where you hope it rains!