Milford Track
We make organising the Milford Track hassle-free.
MILFORD TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
- The Milford Track is known worldwide as one of the most iconic and majestic walks in the world, and walking it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people.
- The towering peaks and huge valleys make it truly majestic and also remote. Part of this amazing journey is getting to the start. Local advice with your transport planning can really add the x-factor to building the Milford into your itinerary – especially if you are short of time.
- Milford comes to life when it rains and water tumbles off surrounding cliffs creating hundreds of spontaneous waterfalls. This is beautiful to experience, as long as you are prepared for the weather with the right gear!
- If you are looking for quality gear, Easyhike has clean and comfortable hire gear that’s light on your back and suited to the track. With hotel drop off before you go, borrowing couldn’t be better.
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 53.5 km one way (transport required).
DURATION: 4 Days / 3 Nights (required) – the first day is really short and you can start in the afternoon.
START: Glade Wharf, Lake Te Anau via water taxi from Te Anau Downs (27km from Te Anau).
FINISH: Milford Sound via water taxi from Sandfly Point.
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities).
MILFORD TRACK HIKING SERVICES
Packing food and gear for a hike is a hassle when relaxing on holiday. Get on the track and back with Easyhike, and enjoy the ease.
Our specialty is car relocation and delivering on food and gear, but our true passion lies in helping you get out there and hiking happy.
Premium Package Inclusions
Local Support
& Advice
Hut
Bookings
Car relocation
(your car or bus)
Hiking Food
Premium
Gear Hire
Milford Track Premium Package
3 nights- We'll get you to the track and back with efficiency and ease. Enjoy a better hiking experience
- Avoid the hassle and stress when hut bookings open. We will do our best to secure your huts and have a good success rate. (Remember: Dates sell out in minutes) 3 Nights Included
- Self drive and stay in Milford overnight or zip back to the airport. Includes Water Taxis
- Select easy, nutritious meals from our tried and tasted hiking menu. Most dietary requirements available
- Borrow our specially chosen, light and comfy hiking gear or bring your own. Have confidence in your gear & skip luggage hassles.
Milford Track easyhike Package
3 nights- Already have your DOC huts secured and do not want the hassle of organising everything else? Leave it to us!
- We'll get you to the track and back with efficiency and ease. Enjoy a better hiking experience
- Transport -- Bus or self-drive to the start of the track. Includes a car relocation or buses and Water Taxis
- Food -- Select easy, nutritious meals from our tried and tasted hiking menu. Most dietary requirements available
- Gear -- Borrow our specially chosen, light and comfy hiking gear. Have confidence in your gear & skip luggage hassles.
Milford Track Car Relocation
Te Anau Downs to Milford (or reverse if running)- Collect a key lockbox and fix it to your car when you park
- We relocate your car to Milford Sound, while you walk
- Drive away when you finish and return the lockbox on the way
- Add your water taxi to your booking and all your track transport requirements are done in one go!
- Water Taxi transport: Adult From $138, Child (4-14) $92
Milford Track Transport Package
- By car (incl. water taxi)
- By bus ex-QT (incl. water taxi)
- By bus ex-Te Anau (incl. water taxi)
- Milford Track Transport:
- 1. Bus or self-drive to Te Anau Downs
- 2. Water taxi to Glade Wharf
- 3. Enjoy hiking the Milford Track
- 4. Water taxi to Deepwater basin
- 5. Bus or self-drive from Milford Sound
Milford Track Water Taxi
Water Taxi: Adult from $138
Child (4-14 years) $92
Departures:
Te Anau Downs: 11.30am, 2pm
Sandfly Point: 12pm-4pm (several departures - continual)
Milford Track Bus
$194/Adult ex QT
$101/Adult ex Te Anau
$67/Adult ex Te Anau Downs
+ Water Taxi from $138pp
Milford Track Bus Timetable
Queenstown to Te Anau Downs: 6.55am, 8am, 10.25am (Departs from Queenstown Central and Queenstown Airport)
Te Anau to Te Anau Downs: 9.45am, 11am or 1.25pm (Departs from DOC Visitor Centre)
Milford Sound to Te Anau: 9.25am, 2.30pm, 5.00pm
Milford Sound to Queenstown: 9.25am, 2.30pm
MILFORD TRACK KEY POINTS
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Glade Wharf via Lake Te Anau to Clinton Hut (1 – 1 ½ hour, 5km)
Day 2: Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut (6 hours, 16.5km)
Day 3: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut via Mackinnon Pass (6-7 hours, 14km)
Day 4: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point (5 ½ – 6 hours, 18km)
See the DOC Milford Track Brochure for further details on the terrain covered each day.
DOC Huts
During the Great Walks season, the huts have basic cooking facilities, heating, bunks, mattresses, toilets, solar-powered lighting, running cold water and a DOC ranger in residence. There are no cooking utensils or showers in the huts and bookings are required.
The Milford Track is extremely popular that when bookings open each year (typically June), hut spaces disappear in minutes. We recommend you plan your trip early so you can nab those ideal dates. Our Premium package includes DOC hut tickets if you want us to take care of booking these for you.
Transport
Travel to and from the Milford Track requires boat access and road transport at both the start and end of the track. We can take care of all your transport including water taxis, road transport and Car Relocation.
The start of the track is at Glade Wharf, Lake Te Anau approximately one hour by water taxi from Te Anau Downs (30km from Te Anau township). Regular water taxi’s run during the Great Walks Season and we suggest you take the fast boat from Te Anau Downs at 11:30am or 2 pm. This is part of our Transport Package.
The track finishes at Sandfly Point, a 15-minute boat ride to Milford Sound Wharf. From Milford Sound, it is a 2-hour drive (93km) to Te Anau Downs, 2 ½ hours (120km) to Te Anau and 5 hours to Queenstown (297 km).
Weather
The weather in New Zealand and Fiordland National Park is very changeable. Even if the forecast is for fine weather or it’s the height of summer, you should always be prepared. Heavy rain, strong winds, cold temperatures, snow can happen at any time of the year so make sure you have the right clothing including warm layers and a rain jacket. Check the weather forecast before heading out – here is the weather report for Fiordland National Park.
Fitness
A good level of fitness is needed to walk the Milford Track and you should make sure it suits your abilities. The Mackinnon Pass is a gradual climb with at times, a steep descent. Talk to us about tramping poles which are an excellent tool to assist you throughout the hike.
What To Take
See our Great Walks Packing List for what you need to take, or book our Great Walk Gear Package and we’ll supply it all for you! Your footwear is one of the most important factors to consider. Most people opt for hiking boots over trainers but it’s a personal choice. Factors you should consider when deciding which footwear include your hiking experience, fitness level and how heavy your pack will be. We recommend hiking boots for support and comfort, but either way, your footwear needs to be well worn in and used to your feet, otherwise – hello blisters! No one wants blisters…
Food-wise, you’ll want to make sure you have enough to last the 4-day walk, plus contingency. Food should be lightweight, tasty, nutritious and provide you with much-needed fuel! Our Hiking Food Packages take care of this.
Safety
The Milford Track is well-maintained and easy to follow, but some sections are steep and can be slippery. Always stick to the track and look out for your fellow hikers. DOC rangers are stationed in the huts during the Great Walks season, but you should always check the weather before you go, and tell someone of your plans. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council have some fantastic resources on keeping safe in the great outdoors.
Bookings & Hiking Season
The Milford Track is very popular and usually sell out 6 months to 1 year in advance. We recommend planning and booking your trip as early as possible to secure your ideal dates.
The Great Walk Season runs from late October until late April every summer. If you are looking at hiking outside of the season, refer to DOC’s advice.
