Equipped with the paper map from our campsite and having no agenda other than to reach Milford Sound we set off around 8:30 this morning.
Upon departing we didn’t really know what to expect besides this was one of the ‘most scenic drives on the planet’. What we discovered blew our minds: a multi kilometre long traffic jam due to the roads being snowed in.
After waiting in this traffic jam for well over 90 minutes the road to Milford Sound was open. What greeted us on the other side was more than I can put into words; literally one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen and more snow than any Aussie knows what to do with.
To get from the Te Anau side to Milford Sound you had to go through a 1.2 km long tunnel that was bored through solid rock in the mid 1950s. This tunnel also has a 1 in 10 gradient taking you from just over 900 metres down to almost 780 metres – once you emerge out the other side of this tunnel, winding roads take you all the way down to sea level why you meet Milford Sound.
Shortly after descending part way down the mountain, we stopped at a roadside lookout along with half of the population of Europe and Asia to take in some of the most breathtaking snowy mountain views we have ever seen:
We were like children in a playground. I will let the photos speak for themselves:
After soaking up the mountain views we turned around and headed back towards town – on the way we checked out some very scenic lookouts and other locations.
Zig-Zag New Zealand 