- 1DOC says winter conditions on the Milford Road, May to September, can be extremely challenging, and that avalanches usually occur in Fiordland National Park from May to November.
- 2Snow chains may be required: DOC says they can be rented in Te Anau and that you should know how to fit them before you start.
- 3DOC says the road between the Hollyford Road junction and The Chasm is a restricted no-stopping zone because of avalanche risk.
- 4Rain, ice, snow, fog, wind or debris can be on the road at any time of year, so Visit Fiordland says to check the NZTA road status before you set out. This guide gives no live conditions.
01 / Start with the season
Should I drive the Milford Road in winter?
Only if you are confident driving in winter conditions. DOC says winter on the road can be extremely challenging, and that otherwise you should take a coach.
DOC describes winter on the Milford Road as May to September and says conditions can be extremely challenging. Its advice is plain: if you are not confident driving in winter, take a coach. DOC also suggests a coach so you can enjoy the scenery, and notes that from Queenstown it saves you the nine hour return drive. Avalanche risk runs longer than those months: DOC says avalanches usually occur in Fiordland National Park from May to November.
02 / Month by month
Which months need the most care?
May to September for winter road conditions and May to November for avalanches, on DOC's dates.
| When | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| May to September | Winter conditions on the Milford Road can be extremely challenging | DOC, journey tips |
| May to November | Avalanches usually occur in Fiordland National Park | DOC, know before you go |
| June to August | Typical winter high of 10 degrees Celsius at Milford Sound | Tourism New Zealand |
| September to November | Spring can bring higher rainfall and even snow to sea level | Visit Fiordland |
| Any time of year | Cold, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur | DOC, know before you go |
03 / Before you leave
How do I get ready for a winter drive?
Check the road status, sort out chains, fuel up, pack for the cold and leave from 9 am.
- 01Check the road status.
Visit Fiordland says you must check the Milford Road status on the NZTA website before you set out. DOC says roadside information signs at Te Anau, Knobs Flat and Piopiotahi Milford Sound give current road condition updates.
- 02Sort out chains.
DOC says snow chains may be required, that they can be rented in Te Anau, and that you should know how to fit them before you start your journey.
- 03Fuel up.
DOC advises there are no fuel stations or shops between Te Anau and Milford Sound.
- 04Pack for the cold.
DOC advises packing extra food, water, warm clothes, sunscreen and insect repellent, and a DOC media release adds wet weather gear.
- 05Leave later in the morning.
DOC says traffic is lower in winter, so it is advisable to leave from 9 am onwards.
04 / The avalanche zone
Where can I not stop?
Between the Hollyford Road junction and The Chasm. DOC says that section is a restricted no-stopping zone because of avalanche risk.
DOC says the section of road between the Hollyford Road junction and The Chasm is a restricted no-stopping zone because of avalanche risk. Plan your photo stops for other parts of the road. Separately, DOC says traffic signals at the Homer Tunnel can cause delays of up to 20 minutes, so allow for waiting time as well as driving time.
05 / Rainfall by source
How much rain falls?
DOC says up to 7 metres a year at Milford Sound and about 7 metres on average for the Fiordland area; Visit Fiordland says around 6.5 to 7 metres and has been known to receive up to 9 metres. The pages do not explain the difference, so we show each.
| Source | Figure | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| DOC, journey tips | Up to 7 metres of rain each year | Piopiotahi Milford Sound, which DOC calls one of the wettest places in New Zealand |
| Visit Fiordland | Around 6.5 to 7 metres a year, and up to 9 metres | Milford Sound, which Visit Fiordland calls the wettest inhabited place on the planet |
| DOC, Milford Track page | Up to 9000 millimetres a year | The whole of Fiordland National Park, not Milford Sound alone |
| DOC, weather page | An average of about 7 metres a year, over an average of about 200 rain days | The Fiordland area, not Milford Sound alone |
| Tourism New Zealand | Roughly 180 days of rain a year | Milford Sound; DOC gives about 200 rain days for the Fiordland area |
06 / Wet weather
What does heavy rain mean for the drive?
Expect conditions to change quickly. A forecast tells you what may happen; only the road status on the day tells you whether the road is open.
What DOC and Visit Fiordland say about weather on the road.
- Weather changes quickly.
DOC says weather at Piopiotahi Milford Sound can change quickly, and that Fiordland weather is highly changeable, so prepare for all conditions.
- Hazards on the road.
Visit Fiordland says you may meet heavy rain, ice, snow, fog, wind or debris on the road at any time of the year.
- Phone coverage.
DOC says mobile coverage is patchy on the Milford Road. In an emergency dial 111.
