Can someone explain Routeburn -> Milford Sound?

Hi all, I'm looking at the Routeburn Track, and am considering heading to Milford Sound afterward to explore. (Not the Milford Track, just some exploration, kayaking, hiking, etc). Assuming I'm starting from Christchurch and want to do both, is it better to hike routeburn from east->west or west->east? I know after routeburn there are car services that can get you back to queenstown/glenorchy/etc, but I'm not sure what happens if I want to continue to Milford. I'm looking at a map, and I -think- it works this way, but I want to make sure: 1. Arrive queenstown or glenorchy, leave car there (not sure where? just return rental car at this point?) 2. Take a shuttle to the east side near routeburn shelter 3. Hike routeburn from east->west (planning on 2 days since that's all that's available) 4. Finish @ the divide probably late in the day and spend the night somewhere? 5. Find tranport from divide -> milford sound. Looks like there are shuttles in the morning mostly? 6. Stay somewhere in the milford sound area (any idea where?) 7. Find shuttle/transport from milford sound back to either the divide where I can rent a new car, or head ALL the way back to glenorchy/queenstown? If anyone has answers to the questions above it would be really helpful. I'm putting together an itinerary and would LOVE some help if anyone has some time.

These folk may be able to help you: https://trackhopper.co.nz/ Pick Mike up on the way through Glenorchy, continue to the Routeburn Shelter and start walking. He drives your car around and leaves it at The Divide, then goes for a little scenic jog through the Routeburn in the afternoon so he gets back in time for dinner at home in Glenorchy. Your car is waiting at the Divide when you make it through, you can drive on to Milford Sound. I think that's how it works, it's possible to do things the other way, if he's got vehicles to move both ways on the same day he ends up with more driving and misses out on his afternoon jog. Camping is possible at DOC campsites back in the Eglinton Valley or stay /camp at Milford Sound Lodge in Milford. Closest campsite in the Eglinton Valley is at Cascade Creek I think. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/campsites/cascade-creek-campsite/?region=fiordland&park=ad2aa9ed-f2c3-4c56-aa79-79f74ca152ce&activity=campsite#activitypanel Another that may do something similar: http://www.easyhike.co.nz/easyhike/

Both directions are doable using the tramper transport buses. Info & Track run the bus on the Queenstown side http://www.infotrack.co.nz/ and Tracknet runs the buses on the Milford Sound side http://tracknet.net/ Both of the companies sell "transport packages" which means they work together. If the Info and Track times don't work for you (10am and 2pm at Routeburn Shelter) then Buckly Transport http://www.buckleytracktransport.nz/ is another option on the Queenstown side. East to West: Info and Track Leave Queenstown for Routeburn Shelter at 8am and 12pm, or Buckley Transport runs when you book them. From the Divide there are Tracknet busses to Milford Sound at 11am and 245pm, plenty of time to get there from Lake Mackenzie (I've done it in 2.5hours). You'll just need to book your accommodation at Milford, or there is a 5pm Tracknet bus from Milford Sound which returns to Te Anau if you only wanted to spend a couple of hours at Milford. http://tracknet.net/timetables-prices/ West to East: Queenstown to Milford Sound (using Tracknet) leaves Queenstown at 655am and gets to Milford about 12pm. That would leave a few hours to go on a cruise then catch the 230pm or 5pm bus to the Divide. From the Divide it is 1 hour to Howden hut or 2.5-4 hours to Mackenzie (add an hour for going up Key Summit). Info and Track bus leaves Routeburn Shelter at 10am and 2pm daily. Buckley Transport runs more on demand so has variable times but I've caught them (without a booking) at about midday.