One of the first highlights of a trip to Milford Sound after entering Fiordland National Park is the Eglinton Valley. It was carved out by glaciers thousands of years ago. Today, steep rocky mountains covered in native beech forest line the valley. The flat floor of the valley is covered in eye-catching golden tussock grass. The Eglinton Valley is a favourite photo stop for visitors – the eye-catching contrast between the dark tree-clad hillside and the rippling golden tussock makes for a stunning backdrop.

Mirror Lakes are a popular, easily accessible scenic stop located 56 km north of Te Anau on the Milford Road. A short, accessible boardwalk offers stunning, glass-like reflections of the Earl Mountains on calm days.

Breathtaking Panoramas of Fiordland On a clear day, Pops View provides expansive 270-degree vistas. To the east, you can see the jagged peaks of the Alisa Mountains. Looking north, the Hollyford Valley stretches out before you, while the Darran Mountains dominate the northwest horizon. The view to the northwest is particularly striking, offering a direct sightline up the cirque beyond Marian Valley, with Mount Christina on the left, Mount Lyttle on the right, and Mount Marian in the background.

Monkey Creek is a beautiful spot on the road to Milford Sound. Stand amid awe-inspiring mountain scenery and experience New Zealand’s pristine environment in a fun and unique way. Located within the Hollyford Valley, Monkey Creek is a glacier-fed spring with water so pure you can drink it straight from the source. You can fill up your water bottle from the bubbling brook and enjoy its icy refreshing taste!

The tunnel is an astonishing feat of engineering. Construction began in 1935 as a depression-era relief project, originally started by just five men with choices and wheelbarrows. Plagued by extreme weather, avalanches, and World War II, it took 19 years to complete and officially opened to traffic in 1954.

Take the opportunity to do a day walk on the famous Milford Track. Enjoy a 10-minute water taxi ride up the famous Arthur River from Deep Water Basin to Sandfly Point to start the Milford Track walk. Self-guided walk up to 11km (approx. 4 hours return) on the world-renowned Milford Track and discover Giant Gates Autumn (Guided App for your walk is available)