Sat, 14th Mar, 2026 (part1) Freedom campground, Lumsden to Manapouri Holiday Park, Manapouri, NZ (Mirror Lake & Milford Sound Road drive)

7 degrees! Heater on. Mostly clear sky. Very popular spot for travellers.

Up the road a bit to intersection - right to Queenstown and left to Te Anau. We are off to explore Milford Sound today so off to Te Anau.

Across the Oreti River again - the sun just highlighting the mountains at 8am.

Nice hill views through farms in the wide flat valley between the mountains.

You have to be keen to be on your bike in 10 degrees on the Trail Ride.

Valley narrows - around the edge of hills, rolling up and down.

The sun isn’t brightening up the dark clouds. Forecast was for showers this morning.

The sheep look cold without their coats. The wind has picked up.

Nice view of the mountains from the village of The Key.

Passed a few deer farms. Brown grass here as we near the town of Te Anau which is by Lake Te Anau, of course. The first Europeans were lead by Maori guides through here in 1852. The township was surveyed in 1893. We took the back road to bypass the township.

Mountains in the cloud as we view Lake Te Anau and turn onto the the road to Milford Sound - a 2 hour 30 minute drive.

Into tall trees as we continue along the edge of the lake - no views along here.

Open area again with mountain view.

Stopped in a car park and read about Te Anau Downs and the Milford Track after an one and quarter hour cruise up the lake then the big hike starts.

Nice view from here. It that snow/ice up there?

Sun came out - straight into our eyes as we start up the hill.

Over the rise for a beautiful view of a valley.

Over Eglinton River then along side it. The river flows into Lake Te Anau above Te Anau Downs Bay.

We are following a ‘coach’ not a bus - remembering the rule on my 1982 tour. Had to pay a fine if we said ‘bus’. Our driver was Les and the cook was Sue and they were both great fun. We came to Milford Sound and did the cruise. 

More farm land then into the pine plantations. A sign says ‘Kiwi live here’.

Back into open flat country with the river further over at the mountain’s base then it is back beside us.

A long rock slide.

Have to dodge the cyclists now as there isn’t a bike path for them along here which is unusual as there are bike paths everywhere else.

Coaches and other travellers stopped to check out the view from Eglinton Valley and River viewpoint. We might stop on way back - need to get down to Milford to see if we can book on a tour then we can sightsee more on the way back. Zoomed in - I think that is snow up there.

Continued along the winding road with closer views and yes it is snow/ice.

Stopped at Mirror Lakes with everyone else! Got a park near the boardwalk entrance. No breeze so they were definitely mirrors. A couple of views as we walked along the boardwalk - beautiful. A bird feeding and something was making ripples in the next section of water.

Zoomed in on the Earl Mountains opposite as there are a couple of long waterfalls coming down.

Continued along - selfie time. More information boards.

Back out to the road where bus loads of people were just arriving - those we passed before. The Milford Road map - there are a few DOC campsites along this road.

Back to the camper for a cuppa then we continue through the pine trees. Passed the Eglington River swimming spot - as it is 9 degrees I don’t think we will be having a dip!

Continued up the valley by the river with view here and there through the trees.

Across Cascade Creek - skipped the nature walk.

Along the edge of Lake Gunn that Eglington River flows through. The lake is 3.25km long at an altitude of 480m.

Across a narrow Eglinton River now then up the left side of Lake Fergus which is the source of Eglinton River. Long skinny lake at the base of a mountain.

Reached The Divide - will stop on way back. This is the lowest east-west pass in the Southern Alps (531m) and marks the start of the Routeburn, Caples and Greenstone Tracks.

Downhill on the range road - clouds on the mountain tops.

Lookout on other side of road so another spot to stop on the return run.

Down to the bottom where the Lower Hollyford Road goes off to the right.

Crystal blue water in the river beside the road.

One-way bridge below a waterfall which flows into the main river - so much to stop and see on our way out.

Following the river up the valley. Great view of clouds and snow on the mountains.

Long thin waterfall.

Passed Monkey Creek area. Good spot to stop and fill your water bottle from the glacier fed spring. Lovely views as we continue along.

Across Hollyford River. Then we passed the turn off into Gertrude Valley.

Climbing up again till we reached the Homer Tunnel and waited with the others as the clock counted down till the green light comes on for us to pass through the 1219m unlined tunnel with 1 in 10 gradient downwards from here. It was completed in 1953, altitude 945m.

Snow and thin waterfalls off to the right too.

Green light - in we go. Water dripping as we travel through the tunnel.

Out the other side. Pulled off to check out the view and let the other traffic get ahead of us.

Down the tight winding road. So glad Steve is driving.

Still going down, across Cleddau River 3 times then one more time. This flows down to Milford Sound.

Continued down - popping my ears as we descend. Cleddau River on our left through the trees.

Across two one-lane bridges over Gulliver then Donne Rivers.

Pulled off to check out this beautiful pool in the Cleddau River and more rain induced thin waterfalls.

Steve’s impressed with the views so far. Continued on with the river beside us.

Reached another river coming from the valley on the right. Across another one-lane bridge over the Tutoko River. There is a suspension bridge to check out on the return run.