12 must do stops on the road to Milford Sound
- Te Anau Downs. This sheltered harbour is the departure point for Milford Track walkers.
- Mirror Lakes. Small tarns situated roadside, famous for their mountain reflections in calm weather.
- Knobs Flat. …
- Lake Gunn Nature Walk. …
- The Divide. …
- Key Summit. …
- Lower Hollyford Road. …
- Gunns Camp.
What is there to see from Queenstown to Milford Sound?
Best Places to Stop Between Queenstown and Milford Sound
- Wye Creek Track. The most underrated viewpoint in Queenstown! …
- Devil’s Staircase Lookout. The windy road with Lake Wakatipu at its side is breathtaking! …
- Kingston. …
- Garston Hunny Shop. …
- Five Rivers Café and Art Gallery. …
- Mossburn. …
- Te Anau. …
- Lake Te Anau Lion Lookout Point.
Where do you stop between Te Anau and Milford Sound?
Mirror Lakes is easily one of my favorite stops between Te Anau and Milford Sound. This stop is simply a pullover bay on the side of the road and once parked up it’s around a 400-meter return track that leads you to the dreamlike Mirror Lakes.
How many days do you need in Milford Sound?
SEVEN DAYS
Take in the best of the South Island, including its crowning glory – Milford Sound.
Is the drive to Milford Sound worth it?
Regarding concerns about time, you have to realize that although the drive to Milford Sound is a lengthy one, it is also an extremely scenic drive. Really, the drive out to Milford Sound is half the appeal. If you have a rental car, there are many opportunities to stop along the way and you definitely should.
What is the best time to visit Milford Sound?
September, October and November are New Zealand’s spring months and they’re a great time of the year to experience Milford Sound.
Is it safe to drive from Christchurch to Queenstown?
You can get to Queenstown from Christchurch in a day. The South Island however has so much to offer that it would be a real crime to rush through. In a perfect world you should plan between 4 – 7 days for this spectacular trip alone.
Where should I stop between Lake Tekapo and Queenstown?
14 Best Stops Between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo
- Lake Hayes. Mirror-like reflections at Lake Hayes! …
- Arrow Junction Lookout. Just one of the views at the very start of Crown Range Road at a pull over bay. …
- Crown Range summit. …
- Cardona Hotel. …
- Bradrona. …
- Wanaka. …
- Lindis Pass Lookout. …
- Hot Tubs Omarama.
What is there to see between Dunedin and Te Anau?
Best stops along Te Anau to Dunedin drive
- Te Anau Lion Lookout Point. Scenic spot. …
- Clifden Suspension Bridge. Historical landmark. …
- Clifden Caves. Scenic spot. …
- Eglinton Valley. Scenic spot. …
- Mirror Lakes Walk. Outdoor Activities. …
- Beaumont. Outdoor Activities. …
- Athol Gallery. Art gallery. …
- Welcome Rock – Meet the High Country.
How do you get a Doubtful Sound from Queenstown?
Getting there
- Getting there.
- The easiest way to get to Doubtful Sound is to travel by boat from Pearl Harbour wharf in Manapouri, across the lake to West Arm, then travel by coach over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove. This needs to be booked in advance with one of the local transport operators.
What is there to do in Ver Anau Invercargill?
Highlights of the Southern Scenic Route
- Invercargill – Tuatapere – Te Anau. The 200-kilometre (124 mile) drive between Te Anau and Invercargill via Tuatapere takes approximately 2.5 hours by car and is sealed the entire way. …
- Borland Road. …
- The Humpridge Ridge Track – Tuatapere. …
- Jet boating Wairaurahiri River.
Can you see Stewart Island from Riverton?
Or go to Howells Point and Riverton Rocks for great beaches and fantastic geology. From the top of Mores Reserve you can see right across Southland and to Stewart Island. Best reason to stop: The stunning beaches, the surfing, the history and the laid-back atmosphere.
What is there to see between Queenstown and Invercargill?
8 Best Stops on the Drive from Queenstown to Invercargill
- Wye Creek. The most underrated viewpoint in Queenstown! …
- Kingston. Views from Kingston Lake Camp at sunset! …
- Garston. There’s so many great products all locally made to try! …
- Athol. …
- Lumsden. …
- Winton. …
- Gore. …
- Anderson Park.
What is there to see between Dunedin and Invercargill?
Best Stops between Dunedin and Invercargill
- Dunedin. Tunnel Beach in Dunedin! …
- Lake Waihola. The beautiful Lake Waihola on a gorgeous day in New Zealand! …
- Whale Fossil Lookout. …
- Nugget Point Lighthouse. …
- Jack’s Blowhole. …
- Purakaunui Falls. …
- Matai Falls/ Horseshoe Falls. …
- Florence Hill Lookout.
Are the Catlins worth visiting?
In the Catlins, there are three well-known waterfalls worth visiting: the McLean Falls, the Purakaunui Falls and the Matai Falls. The most spectacular are supposed to be the McLean Falls. Unfortunately, we have no comparison, because we only visited Purakaunui Falls due to time constraints.
Is the Catlins road sealed?
The road to popular spots such as Slope Point in the south Catlins has been sealed with the completion of a $9 million upgrade of the alternative scenic route.
Is Owaka Valley Road sealed?
The settlements of Owaka, Maclennan, Papatowai, Tokanui, and Fortrose all lie on this route. A coastal route also parallels the inland highway between Waikawa and Fortrose, but only about two thirds of this road is sealed.
Are dogs allowed on Kaka Point Beach?
Kaka Point is pet friendly!
How long does it take to drive the Southern Scenic Route?
It is a little over 600km long and packed full with amazing natural and cultural attractions and exciting activities. This 4 day itinerary of the Southern Scenic Route will help you discover all the best spots along the route.
How long does it take to drive through the Catlins?
It’s about 200km, and you’d be wise to take two days driving it. Heading out of town on Gorge Road, at Fortrose you latch onto the minor roads that will deliver the Catlins gems.
How many days do you need in the Catlins?
2-3 days
While you could drive it all in a day, there are so many things to do in the Catlins that we recommend spending at least 2-3 days enjoying all the area has to offer. Our Catlins itinerary took three days but this could easily be extended or condensed depending on your time frame.
What is the best time of year to visit the Catlins?
The best months for good weather in The Catlins are January, February, March and December. On average, the warmest months are January, February, March and December. The coldest months are July, August and September.
What is the best time to visit the Catlins?
Tip: Visit when the sun is high in the sky to best see down into the blowhole (between 12 pm and 1 pm for example). I went in the late afternoon, so the sun was casting shadows inside the blowhole, making it dark and difficult to see.
Why is it called Cannibal Bay?
The bay was named after the sailing vessel “Surat” that was shipwrecked there in 1874. Cannibal Bay with it’s white sand and blue/green water is signposted 3 kms north of Owaka and from there about 8 kms down a gravel road. It owes it’s name to some human remains once found by a surveyor.
What is there to do at the Catlins?
Things to Do in The Catlins
- Visit Nugget Point Lighthouse at Sunrise. The top spot on our list is definitely reserved for Nugget Point Lighthouse. …
- Stay in Kaka Point. …
- See the Aurora from Kaka Point Down to Invercargill. …
- Purakaunui Falls. …
- Cathedral Caves. …
- See the Yellow-Eyed Penguins from Roaring Bay. …
- Go Kayaking. …
- Slope Point.
Where are the Penguins at Curio Bay?
Blue penguins nest in burrows around Porpoise Bay while Stewart Island shags can be seen on rock stacks below the headland and muttonbirds/tītī in groups off shore. White-fronted terns can also be seen around the bays.
Are dogs allowed at Curio Bay?
Curio Bay is pet friendly! If you need help to decide where to stay, play, or eat with Fido, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s the scoop on our favorite pet friendly hotels, dog friendly activities, and restaurants that allow dogs in Curio Bay.
When can you see penguins Curio Bay?
Late afternoon / early evening is the best time to see penguins come in from the sea, but at Curio Bay expect to see the unusual, and maybe, the unexpected.
Where can I see yellow-eyed penguins?
Yellow-eyed penguins breed on the southeast coast of the South Island, on Stewart Island and adjacent islands, and in the subantarctic on the Auckland and Campbell Islands. On the mainland, yellow-eyed penguins breed in four distinct breeding regions: the Catlins, Otago Peninsula, North Otago and Banks Peninsula.
What’s the rarest penguin?
Listed as Endangered by the IUCN since 2000, the Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is considered to be the rarest penguin with an estimated population of between 1,800–4,700 as per the last census, carried out in 2009.
Does New Zealand have penguins?
Three penguin species breed on the New Zealand mainland, they breed alone or in small groups: Yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho. Fiordland crested penguin/tawaki. Little penguin/kororā