Find out about getting there, facilities, weather and safety for planning your trip to the Lake Monowai/Borland Road area in Fiordland.

Plan and prepare well for your trip

Getting there

Lake Monowai and the Borland Road are located about 67 km from Te Anau (1 hour), and 120 km from Invercargill (1 hour 45 min) and can be accessed via the Southern Scenic Route.

From Te Anau, drive south via the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway and onto the Blackmount-Redcliff Rd. After 55 km (about 40 min), turn right into Lake Monowai Rd just north of the Blackmount School. Follow signs to Borland Lodge or Lake Monowai (both reached after about 20 min).

From Invercargill, drive 77 km to Clifden (65 min) then head north on the Clifden-Blackmount Rd (25 km, 20 min) until turning left into the Lake Monowai Rd, just north of the Blackmount School. Follow signs to Borland Lodge or Lake Monowai (both reached after about 20 min).

Getting there - Fiordland gives you more information on getting to Te Anau, and transport options.

The Borland Road

From the gate just after Borland Lodge it is about 15 km up the Borland Road to Borland Saddle (990m above sea level).

A toilet, parking and natural history information are available at the saddle.

After the saddle the road goes down to the South Arm of Lake Manapouri (90 km return from Borland Lodge).

The Borland Road may be closed at any time - to find out the road’s status, contact the DOC Murihiku Area Office, Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, or Borland Lodge directly.

The Borland Road is maintained for power line construction and is unsealed, narrow and steep in places, and subject to slips, washouts, snow, ice, high winds and fallen trees.

It is usually fine for walking, mountain biking, 4WD vehicles and some other vehicles (depending on conditions).

It is not suitable for campervans, caravans or trailers. Vehicles are not allowed off the main road.

There are no fuel, communication (including cell phone coverage) or emergency services along its length, therefore only those properly equipped should attempt to negotiate the road.