u/Spirited-Employ9108

Visiting South Island NZ in early June with family.

We already booked a Milford Sound cruise departing 12:45 PM.

Trying to decide whether:

1. self-drive from Queenstown
2. stay overnight closer
3. take a coach instead

Main priorities:
- scenery
- photography
- minimizing fatigue
- safest winter option

Would appreciate honest opinions from people who’ve actually done it in winter.

Also:
- how difficult is the drive realistically?
- does bad weather ruin Milford or make it better?
- best stops along the route?

Thanks!

Family of 5 visiting South Island NZ June 1–10.

Base:
- Queenstown mostly
- 1 overnight Mt Cook
- Milford Sound cruise booked June 6

Interests:
- Photography
- Scenic drives
- Coffee/food
- Light hikes
- Family friendly stops

Current concerns:
- Winter driving conditions
- Whether Milford should be self-drive or coach
- Whether Mt Cook overnight is enough
- Hidden stops between Queenstown and Mt Cook
- Weather backup

Would appreciate:
- “don’t miss” experiences
- things tourists overestimate
- realistic drive fatigue feedback