The road through New Zealand's Fiordland National Park wilderness to Milford Sound sure is remote, but boy is it busy. It must surely rank among the busiest remote roads in the world. And there are no short-cuts or express routes unless you take to the air or sea.

However, there are ways to ensure you remain calm and collected on the journey and arrive fresh for your tour of the sereneness of the Sounds.

Beat the crowds

Avoid the early morning start from Queenstown and stay in Te Anau. Around two and a half hours drive from Queenstown, this surprisingly big, but not-so-bustling, town sits on the shore of a lake with the same name.

By staying in Te Anau you'll beat the inevitable mob of tourist coaches that leave Queenstown at the crack of dawn, shipping hordes of sightseers to their awaiting boats, without getting up at the crack of dawn. You'll also cut your time stuck in a vehicle by half.

Take the Tour

You can pick up a coach tour in Te Anau if you fancy being chauffeur driven, by far the best way to be able to absorb the scale and atmosphere on the road to Milford Sound. The drivers know the best spots to stop en-route, and there's a competitiveness about them that drives them to beat the Queenstown convoys so that your wilderness experience doesn't get mobbed.

Take the Wheel

If you decide to drive, take note of where other coaches are stopping. It's all too easy to sail past the likes of Mirror Lakes, The Chasm and Knob's Flat. Fill up your vehicle in Te Anau and check oil and water. It's called a wilderness for a reason.

Check the road status, no matter what the season.

Shank's Pony

The more adventurous amongst you may feel the lure of a challenging 4- or 5-day tramp along the world-renowned Milford Track. Using well-equipped Department of Conservation huts en-route the hike culminates with a trip over the Sound to Milford.

The popularity of the walking track means you must book the huts in advance, or book on a guided walk.