Lord of the Rings fans, this one’s for you! Eglinton Valley in Fiordland National Park is a must-visit stop on the way to Milford Sound. Even if you’ve never watched The Lord of the Rings, you’ll still be blown away by the sheer scale of this place. The valley was carved out by glaciers thousands of years ago, leaving behind dramatic, sweeping landscapes that feel straight out of a fantasy world.

One moment, you’re driving through dense southern beech forest, and the next, you emerge into a valley with towering snow-capped mountain peaks on either side.

If you are a fan, you’ll love knowing that the Eglinton Mountains played the role of the Misty Mountains in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It's just one of hundreds of filming locations around Aotearoa.

There are a few places to pull over and take in the views. If you want to stretch your legs, there are some great walking tracks nearby, including the Lake Gunn Nature Walk and Knobs Flat Waterfall.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay overnight along Milford Road, the Eglinton Valley Campground is beautiful. It’s the only serviced campsite before Milford Sound and has everything you need for a comfy night. There’s no WiFi (a good excuse to turn off your Teams notifications) but lots of amenities like a full kitchen, hot showers, laundry, and even a little store with basic groceries (no shops in Milford Sound!). I think the real highlight is their bush baths! These are outdoor baths/hot tubs where you can soak outside for $35 per couple.

If you’re not planning to stay overnight, make sure to stop at Knobs Flat to check the road conditions (especially in winter!), and attach your snow chains if needed. There’s also a pay phone and campervan sewage disposal site. It’s also the last spot with flush toilets before Milford Sound. So, if you're not keen on using the quintessential New Zealand "long drops" it's worth stopping here.