Milford Road is a truly epic road in New Zealand
New Zealand, oceania
118 km
1,280 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for the Milford Road, an absolutely stunning drive slicing through South West New Zealand from Te Anau to Milford Sound!
This paved beauty, part of State Highway 94, carves its way for 118km through Fiordland National Park, a chunk of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Seriously, this is wilderness on steroids.
Construction took ages, starting in 1929 during the Great Depression and finally wrapping up in 1953 (with a little break for WWII).
Budget about 1.5 to 2 hours for the drive, but pro tip: triple that. You'll be stopping every five minutes to gawk! Think Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting the Earl Mountains, the cascading waterfalls of the Cleddau River, and the mind-bending Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain. Lord of the Rings vibes are strong here, with mighty cliffs, snow-capped peaks, and fern trees doing their gravity-defying thing. This is the *only* road to Milford Sound, a must-see.
Don't miss the Homer Tunnel, a 1,270-meter-long feat of engineering carved straight through solid granite!
Clocking in at 940 meters above sea level at its highest point, this is one of the highest highways in New Zealand. Winter can be wild, with snow a real possibility. Chains are a must between June and November (and legally required!). Even in summer, snow can fall on the higher parts. Avalanches can be a threat in winter, too.
This is remote territory, so fill up the gas tank in Te Anau (limited fuel is available at Gunns Camp and Milford Sound). Keep your wits about you, as the injury crash rates are a bit higher than average in New Zealand. Landslips, treefalls, and washouts can happen anytime, causing closures. Flooding can also happen, especially near rivers.
Where is it?
Milford Road is a truly epic road in New Zealand is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -42.0857, 174.0958
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 118 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,280 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -42.0857, 174.0958
Related Roads in oceania
hardDriving the Barrier Highway is a truly outstanding adventure
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, buckle up for the Barrier Highway – an epic Aussie adventure connecting New South Wales and South Australia! This isn't just a drive; it's a proper outback experience. Stretching a hefty 1,014 km (630 miles), this legendary road links Nyngan (where it meets the Mitchell Highway) to Gawler (connecting with the Stuart Highway). Named after the rugged Barrier Ranges, this route serves up classic Aussie landscapes. FYI, you'll be sharing the road with Road Trains, those mega-trucks that are a sight to behold. The weather can throw extremes at you – scorching summers and surprisingly chilly winters – so pack accordingly. The good news is, it's all paved since 1972, so no need for a 4WD. Any car can handle it! But here's the thing: this is remote Australia. Animals love to roam on the road, especially at night. Seriously, avoid driving after dark to dodge kangaroos, emus, and whatever else might hop out. Also, mobile coverage can be patchy. Planning is key. You're cruising through some seriously isolated spots, so map out your fuel stops and stock up on supplies – especially if you're tackling the whole highway. Get ready for some vast, sparsely populated landscapes, and a real taste of the outback.
moderateKnoll Scenic Drive
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the coast of Western Australia, right between the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets. You stumble upon the Knoll Scenic Drive – a sweet five-kilometre loop just begging to be explored. And trust me, you *want* to explore it. First off, it's sealed, so no worries about your ride. Second, it's one-way, keeping things nice and chill. But the real magic? The views! Seriously, bring your camera, because this drive circles the Knoll, dishing out stunning peeks of the inlets the whole way. The scenery is like nature's sampler platter. You've got vibrant swamp bottlebrush heathlands in the low-lying areas, then coastal blackbutt, peppermint, and bullich woodlands hugging the headlands. And just when you think it can't get any better, BAM! Majestic karri and yellow tingle forests practically tumble down to the water's edge. It's a visual feast!
hardWhere is Baldwin Street?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand! This isn't just any street; it's legendary—seriously, it's often called the steepest *residential* street on the planet, clocking in with a crazy gradient of 35 percent! You'll find it nestled in North East Valley, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Dunedin's city center, near the harbor. The street is named after William Baldwin, a local newspaper founder and council member back in the day. This straight shot runs for about 350 meters (just over 1,100 feet) from North Road to Buchanan Street, and it's completely paved. Fun fact: the steepest part is concrete, not asphalt, because that angle is so intense the asphalt would MELT on a hot day and slide downhill! Baldwin Street was officially crowned the world's steepest residential street back in 1987. There was a brief period where it lost the title but, don't worry, Guinness World Records gave it back in 2020! A quick walk up will only take about ten minutes. What's the slope like? Think 1:2.86 – for every 2.86 meters you walk forward, you go up a full meter. It's a serious workout. No wonder this place is a magnet for tourists and thrill-seekers wanting to conquer its crazy slope!
moderateWhere is Kosciuszko Express Chairlift?
🇦🇺 Australia
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in New South Wales, practically spitting distance from Victoria, lies Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. We're talking serious altitude here, like 1,937m (6,354ft) above sea level – one of the highest points you can reach in Aussie! What's the reward for this climb? Well, near the top, Eagle's Nest Restaurant awaits, boasting what they say are the highest restaurant views in the country. We're talking mind-blowing 270° panoramas stretching 200km, including sparkling Jindabyne Lake and the Victorian Alps. Now, for the nitty-gritty. This isn't your Sunday drive. The 3.3 km (2.05 miles) access road from Thredbo is unpaved, and strictly 4x4 territory, closed to the public. It's STEEP, like, really steep, with gradients hitting 30% in places. You'll climb 523 meters, averaging nearly 16%, so buckle up. This climb is an experience!