Winter driving on the Milford Road

Milford Sound, midwinter. Why would you go to Milford Sound in the middle of winter?
Well it’s a bit of an adventure, it’s stunning and  it’s my favourite time in Milford. Scroll down for images.

The weather

In New Zealand the weather patterns during the winter can be quite different than those during the rest of the year. At this time of the year we get a lot of easterly or south east winds. These winds are formed by the low pressure weather systems forming in the Tasman Sea. These systems move from  west to east across the Tasman Sea and pass over the South Island. They can look pretty nasty from a travellers point of view, who are looking hopefully at the weather map on TV contemplating their trip to Milford Sound.

Many mountainous places have their own micro climates in certain conditions and Milford Sound is one of these.
Although Milford Sound can get its share of bad weather, in the winter it gets a lot of very good weather, unfortunately the weather map does not show this up very well.

Take today as a good example, two days after the shortest of the year. There is a bad forecast for most of New Zealand with heavy rain and flooding in the North Island and snow rain and whatever for the South Island, but not Milford Sound. As the low passes over the wind around that low can turn easterly or south-east. This situation creates clear weather in Milford Sound.

Driving to Milford Sound

Well it’s time to be brave, put on your adventure hat and go to Milford Sound, you will love it and this is how you go about it.
If you are renting a car or a camper van make sure it has chains. Make sure you know that they fit the vehicle  you have rented,  and  know which wheels they go on, front or back wheels. If its your own vehicle the same applies. If you drive on the Milford road and get caught without chains when the signs say chains must be carried there is a very  very big fine to pay. For your own safety and the safety of others make sure you have chains and can fit them. There are about three garages in Te Anau that will hire out chains to you.

The next thing is to allow a little more time for travel. If it’s from Te Anau  to Milford allow two and a half hours. This is for slow driving and taking photos, you won’t be able to help your self. The closer you get to Milford Sound the better the weather can get and once in Milford it can be stunning.

The Milford Road is a good safe road and sealed all the way, but has a high mountain pass so care must be taken. Black ice, (black ice forms when ice melts or there is rain on the road and then refreezes, it is very hard to see) can be a problem but only when you are rushing to get there, just slow down and the passengers will get better views. Snow on the road can vary from a lot to not much. This year (2009) there is not much snow, and when I came in there was no avalanche danger and one could stop at all the parking spots including the top (eastern portal) car park at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel
 
Don’t be scared off by all this, it really is not a big deal, it’s just being sensible.  If the road is dangerous they (Transit  N.Z.) will close the road. The road has a very good avalanche program and it is very accurate. If the avalanche risk is high Transit will close the road and blast the avalanches that may cause a problem. Once these  avalanches are down the road is cleared and reopened.

The reason I like Milford so much in the winter is that it has a much more visual character. With the low sun piercing the clouds,  light shafting through the mountain valleys and snow on the tops, what more can I say.

Getting driven to Milford Sound

Did I scare you off driving? well there are other ways to get there. Get driven.

There are several operators that can do this but one I recommend is Trips and Tramps

To  find out more about the Milford Sound road or Milford Sound itself, check my other articles or check the Milford Sound road conditions by going to the Transit N.Z. website. You can also check New Zealand Automobile Association. 
or ask at any garage or motel, hotel in Te Anau.

Number 1 of 10 images below.

An early start on the Milford Road  




The road opens to the Eglington Valley Flats.



Lake Gunn. (below)  While I took this photo I herd the greatest unwritten song. The morning bird calls, it was stunning.



This small lake (below) often freezes over at this time.



  Typical Fiordland bush also at Lake Gunn.



On the road by the Hollyford River these beautiful ice crystals.



The ice pouring from the Moss.



The Homer Tunnel, not much snow this year, so fare.



A joy to watch, three young Kea playing on the west side of the Homer Tunnel.



The ice cold waters flowing down the mountain, heading for Milford Sound.