Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get to Milford Sound from Te Anau or Queenstown?
Why is Milford Road so important?
What is Transit doing to keep the road open and safe all year round?
When is the Milford Road information kiosk open?
What kind of help can I get at the kiosk?
Do I have to stop at the kiosk when it’s operating?
When do I need to carry chains and put them on the car tyres?
What if I decide to drive on Milford Road with no chains when chains are required?
How many days a year is the Milford Road closed and why?
What can I do if I’m not experienced in driving in winter conditions?
Where can I find out information on the latest roading conditions for Milford Road?

1. How long does it take to get to Milford Sound from Te Anau or Queenstown?

If you drive without stopping it takes at least two hours to get from Te Anau to Milford Sound (120 km) and six to seven hours from Queenstown to Milford Sound (300km).

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2. Why is Milford Road so important?

Milford Road on SH94 provides the only road access to one of New Zealand’s major tourist attractions – Milford Sound. It is also one of the highest highways in New Zealand, with the highest point of the road reaching 940 metres above sea level.

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3. What is Transit doing to keep the road open and safe all year round?

Transit New Zealand looks after the Milford Road which is especially important in winter season (May to September) when snow, ice and risk of avalanches make safe driving critical. To keep the road safe and open as much as possible during the avalanche season, Transit operates an internationally recognised avalanche control programme which predicts and controls avalanches. A specialist avalanche control team, contracted by Transit, uses high tech equipment to manage avalanches. The specialised weather and condition monitoring equipment is based both at road and mountain level and is monitored 24 hours a day to optimise safety and minimise road closures.

Besides predicting avalanches, a crucial part of the programme is also controlling the avalanche hazard by either not allowing traffic to stop inside the avalanche area or closing the road and using controlled explosives to release avalanches before they occur naturally.

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4. When is the Milford Road information kiosk open?

The Milford Road information kiosk is open during winter when vehicles travelling the road need to be fitted with chains. This is usually around 20 days a year between June and November.

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5. What kind of help can I get at the kiosk?

Kiosk staff provide road users with information on safe driving during winter and check that you are carrying the rights chains and can fit them correctly.

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6. Do I have to stop at the kiosk when it’s operating?

Yes, every road user needs to go through the kiosk when the kiosk is operating. However, the kiosk has two lanes, with one of them being only for accredited drivers who completed the Bus and Coach Association Programme to improve bus safety on the Milford Road. They will have to show an accreditation pass and be able to pass through while other road users will be checked to ensure that vehicles are carrying chains and the driver knows how to fit them.

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7. When do I need to carry chains and put them on the car tyres?

There are around 20 days a year between June and November when vehicles need to carry chains. Road condition information signs will inform people when they need to carry or fit chains. These signs are located in Te Anau (1km north of township), Knobs Flat (65 km north of Te Anau) and Milford Sound (5 km east of Milford Sound).

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8. What if I decide to drive on Milford Road with no chains when chains are required?

It is unsafe for yourself and other road users when drivers skid on ice or snow because they have not fitted the correct chains, or not using them at all. It is serious enough that if you decide to drive past warning signs requiring chains further down the Milford Road, the police could fine you $750.

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9. How many days a year is the Milford Road closed and why?

Milford Road is on average closed eight days a year, mainly in winter when treacherous weather conditions and high risk of avalanches mean driving on the road wouldn’t be safe.

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10. What can I do if I’m not experienced in driving in winter conditions?

If you are not prepared for driving in winter conditions or do not have the right experience you can always take a coach from Te Anau instead of driving themselves. Before you choose a coach, check that they have accredited drivers which means that the drivers have been through training on how to drive on Milford Road in winter conditions.

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11. Where can I find out information on the latest roading conditions for Milford Road?

You can the most up-to-date information on the roading condition for Milford Road on either this website or ring Transit’s freephone number 0800 4 HIGWAYS (0800 444 449) available 24/7.

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