Homer Tunnel

The road tunnel providing access to Milford Sound was constructed in very difficult conditions. It took 20 years from when construction began until it was opened to the public in 1953. The Homer Tunnel was first suggested in 1890.

Work finally began in 1935 as an unemployment relief project with little more than shovels and wheelbarrows. With heavy rain and snow, and tent accommodation, the working conditions were awful, and three workers were killed by avalanches. Hole-through came in 1940, but it was not until 1954 that the first car used the tunnel, which is 1,255 metres long

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