This means there is no road which you can drive yourself. So how do you get there? The first drive is to the Manapouri visitor centre, you then board a boat crossing Lake Manapouri to West Arm, then a bus ride over the Wilmot Pass down into Deep Cove. Deep Cove is the harbour where all boats depart and return.

Can you take your own boat to Doubtful Sound?

Boat access

To access Doubtful Sound, trailer boats can be barged across Lake Manapouri to West Arm and driven over the Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound (contact Real Journeys for barge booking). There is a charge for using the Wilmot Pass Road (contact Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre for details).

How do I get to Deep Cove NZ?

To get to Deep Cove, you must travel by boat across Lake Manapouri and then by vehicle by road over the Wilmot Pass. Tracknet are able to provide your transport should you need to get to Deep Cove Hostel. For further information about Deep Cove hostel, please visit the Deep Cove Hostel website.

How do I get from Manapouri to Te Anau?

The fastest way to get from Manapouri to Te Anau is to taxi. Taking this option will cost $90 - $110 and takes 16 min. How far is it from Manapouri to Te Anau? The distance between Manapouri and Te Anau is 19 km.

What is there to do in Te Anau at night?

• To truly appreciate Milford Sound. ...
• As well as Doubtful Sound. ...
• To tackle a walking trail. ...
• To see glowworms twinkle. ...
• To spot rare birds. ...
• To explore the lakes. ...
• To witness Fiordland from the skies. ...
• To play one of the world's most scenic golf courses.

Can You Pass That? (Original Mix)

How long does it take to drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound?

If you have limited time, a non-stop direct drive from Te Anau to Milford will take at least 2 hours. To avoid traffic congestion during summer (October to April), either leave Te Anau early in the morning, before 8 am or later in the morning, 11 am onwards.

Can you drive from Te Anau to Doubtful Sound?

If you are travelling from Queenstown or Te Anau to Doubtful Sound, the farthest you'll be able to drive in your vehicle is to Manapouri. You can choose to self-drive to Manapouri, purchase a ticket on a coach, or even fly in a scenic flight to here.

How far away is Milford Sound from Queenstown?

Milford Sound is 288km from Queenstown (4 hours 15 minutes) and 121km from Te Anau (2 hours 15 minutes). Choosing to drive to Milford Sound by car in your own time can be a rewarding experience, but there are risks involved.

How do you achieve Doubtful Sound?

With no direct road access, the only way you can to get to Doubtful Sound is by a cruise across Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass. This isolation makes the fiord a very special, private place, a place only those in the know get to see.

Is it worth going to Doubtful Sound?

Doubtful Sound is truly a place that is good year round and I'd even argue that it's worth seeing in all weather so no matter if you get sun or rain on your trip, you'll just have to come back to see it again!

Why is it called Doubtful Sound?

Doubtful Sounds Maori name is Patea. ... Doubtful Sound was originally named Doubtful Harbour by Captain Cook. Back in 1770 when Captain Cook sailed on by, he named the sound 'Doubtful harbour'. He didn't enter the inlet with his ship as he was uncertain whether it would be navigable under sail.

Is there a road to Doubtful Sound?

This majestic fiord has no direct road access and so is quieter and more remote than it's famous neighbour Milford Sound and visitors agree that this adds to its magic. Doubtful Sound is one of the largest of the fiords, it has three main arms and is home to three of Fiordlands 10 marine reserves.

Can you visit Manapouri power station?

Take a fascinating tour of the Power Station. The tour takes you on a cruise across Lake Manapouri, to the visitors centre. Then on to a short coach trip underground through a spiral tunnel to the machine hall where you will learn about the workings and construction of the power station.

What is there to see between Te Anau and Queenstown?

1. Jacks Point. Jacks Point Golf Course. ...
2. Wye Creek Track. The most underrated viewpoint in Queenstown! ...
3. Devil's Staircase Lookout. Not a bad place to stop, check out the windy road! ...
4. Kingston. ...
5. Xtreme Off Road. ...
6. Garston Hunny Shop. ...
7. Athol. ...
8. Five Rivers Café and Art Gallery.

Who built Manapouri power station?

Construction history

February 1963, Bechtel Pacific Corporation won the design and supervision contract. July 1963, Utah Construction and Mining Company and two local firms won contracts to construct the tailrace tunnel and Wilmot Pass road. Utah Construction also won the powerhouse contract.

Is it worth driving to Milford Sound?

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.

How much time do you need in Milford Sound?

A one day Milford Sound trip is the most popular way to visit this must-see New Zealand attraction. You'll be surprised at just how much sightseeing you can fit into twelve hours of sunlight.

Is it safe to drive to Milford Sound?

Transit New Zealand looks after the Milford Road which provides the only road access to Milford Sound. It is therefore essential for Transit to keep this road safe and open all year round. In winter season (May to September) snow, ice and risk of avalanches make safe driving critical.

How long do you need in Te Anau?

But if you do decide to stay in Te Anau, the minimum would be for two nights and ideally you should consider three nights. Typically you'll arrive in the afternoon of the first day and night's stay. We suggest making the next day a full day self-drive excursion to Milford Sound.

What is there to do between Rick Anau and Wanaka?

• Skiing. Some of best skifields in the country can be found between Wanaka & Queenstown! ...
• TSS Earnslaw. Sail across Lake Wakatipu from the shores of Queenstown on this iconic vintage steamship - over 103 yrs old! ...
• Luge & Gondola. ...
• Milford Track. ...
• Doubtful Sound Excursion.

Where do you stop between Te Anau and Milford Sound?

• Te Anau Downs. The first stop in Te Anau Downs! ...
• Eglinton Valley. The Eglington Valley, New Zealand. ...
• Mirror Lakes. Mirror Lakes on a foggy morning. ...
• Lake Gunn. Don't fall Bailey! ...
• Pop's View Lookout. Pop's View lookout, New Zealand. ...
• Lake Marian. ...
• The Key Summit. ...
• Homer Tunnel.

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.

Can you drive a campervan to Milford Sound?

Drive. ... You can get there in a car or campervan – but make sure you read our guide on driving to Milford Sound to make sure you've planned well and avoided some common mistakes.

Do I need chains to drive to Milford Sound?

Taking Chains on the Te Anau to Milford Sound Road and Enjoying the Scenery. The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is incredibly scenic, which means it offers opportunities to explore throughout the year. However, it is illegal to drive without chains during the winter months, so don't forget to take them.