[Red Devil]

Morning all

Based on previous experience... is it possible to leave Queenstown one early morning (say 8:30am) drive to Milford Sound for sightseeing and then drive back to Te Anau for an overnight stop?

We have our 5 year old son to think about, and good as he is with car travel, we didn't want to be 'racing' through the countryside for the sake of it when an additional stop en-route in Te Anau may be required.

Look forward to your comments, thanks :nice1

[IanW99]

Morning all

Based on previous experience... is it possible to leave Queenstown one early morning (say 8:30am) drive to Milford Sound for sightseeing and then drive back to Te Anau for an overnight stop?

We have our 5 year old son to think about, and good as he is with car travel, we didn't want to be 'racing' through the countryside for the sake of it when an additional stop en-route in Te Anau may be required.

Look forward to your comments, thanks :nice1

Yes, no problem at all.

Most coach companies go from Queenstown, to Milford Sound and back again the same day and they have plenty of stops on the way.

Ian

[wiki]

Very much agree with Ian, but remember that most of the tour buses get to Milford around lunchtime and it's a bit of a bottle-neck then in terms of getting on boats etc. If you can leave Q'town earlier, say 6am and your child will sleep in the car, then perhaps breakfast in Te Anau? You'll get into Milford before the majority of the coaches and not be racing or chasing them on the roads and have lots of time to stop on the way up or back at the Mirror Lakes, Chasm and (if you have the time) Lake Gunn.

I grew up in Te Anau and there are lots of good breakfasting options.

[Red Devil]

That's great, thanks very much... we've just gained another nights stop over elsewhere :D

Thanks again :nice1

[DMcG]

I would actually try and do it the other way round if possible (and if the weather looks good). Stay in Te Anau the night then drive to Milford early morning (avoiding the "rush hour") to catch an early cruise, and then wander on back to Queenstown in the afternoon/evening.

Cruising on one of the smaller boats earlier in the morning is a far better way of experiencing Milford Sound than being on a 400 person cruiser!

Dougie