What you'll do
This is hands down one of the best drives in the whole country, but so many people just bee-line it straight to Milford Sound without soaking up everything along the way. Don’t make that mistake the journey in is half the magic.
Day 1
Welcome to the beautiful drive through Fiordland National Park. Today’s all about cruisy stops, peaceful reflections, and getting your first real taste of these wild landscapes.
Eglinton Flats
area
Stunning natural beauty
Classic stop on the Milford Sound drive, super easy to pull over on the side of the road and take it all in. Eglinton Valley in Fiordland National Park makes you feel tiny in the best way. Flat open meadows backed by massive mountains, it seriously looks like something out of a movie (and yep, Lord of the Rings fans, you’ll get the vibe). Whether you’re road-tripping or on a tour, this one’s a no-brainer for a quick photo stop or just to stretch your legs and soak in the scenery.
Mirror Lakes
Zwiedzanie
Reflection lakes
Another classic stop on the Milford Sound drive. It’s a super quick one just a 5-minute stroll along a boardwalk but worth pulling over for. On a still day, the reflections of the mountains in the lake are unreal, like you’re looking into a perfect mirror (hence the name). It’s a good little leg-stretch with some serious photo potential, and one of those spots that feels like pure Fiordland magic without needing to hike hours for it.
Lake Gunn North Viewpoint
Zwiedzanie
Scenic forest walk
This one's a cruisy little loop through beautiful beech forest, right off the Milford Sound road. The Lake Gunn Nature Walk is only about 45 minutes return and super easy, making it a good breather from all the long drives and big hikes in Fiordland. You’ll wander past mossy trees, hear heaps of birds, and maybe even spot a tomtit or rifleman flitting around. There’s also a side track down to the lake edge with a rocky beach and some pretty unreal views across the water. It’s peaceful, low-effort, and still shows off the wild beauty of the area.
Key Summit Trail
Wycieczka
Scenic alpine hike
Love this trail! It gave me total Tasmania vibes with the alpine plants and moody mountains. Key Summit is actually part of the Routeburn Track, so it’s a solid way to get a little taste of one of NZ’s Great Walks without doing the full 33km mission.
The hike is about 8km return with around 400m of elevation, so it’s a steady climb but nothing too hectic. You’ll walk through lush forest, then pop out above the tree line with some proper stunning views of the surrounding peaks, alpine tarns, and valleys. I did it in a few hours and hung out at the top for ages, bring snacks, it’s a great summit to chill at.