Milford Track

What to expect

The Milford Track is a Great Walk. Great Walk tracks are of a higher standard than most other tracks so are well formed and easy to follow. The tracks are usually quite wide depending on the terrain – some fit two people walking side by side in flat areas.

The surface is usually gravel, rock or dirt, and like any track can get slippery in wet weather.

Most rivers and waterways on these tracks have sturdy bridges. Occasionally there are also small streams that cross the track but are usually easy enough to step across safely. Be aware that in wet weather rivers can rise very quickly and flood the tracks – especially on the Milford Track.

There are hill climbs where the track becomes steeper, which is all the better for views.

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 - 26 October 2020):

Facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional safety hazards to consider.

Walking the track during this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped people. For more information see Walking the Milford Track outside the Great Walks season.

The section between Dumpling Hut and Sandfly Point is closed. It can only be walked as a 2-night, 3-day walk. 

Children and youth

• This track is not recommended for children under 10.
• Children under 15 years must be with an adult.
• Also see: Children and families in Fiordland.

Guided options

Consider guided walks on the Miford Track (Destination Fiordland website)

Detailed description

The Milford Track (53.5 km) starts at Glade Wharf (at the head of Lake Te Anau, access from Te Anau Downs, 27 km from Te Anau). It finishes at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound.

The track may only be walked in one direction and from 30 November 2020 takes 4 days to complete, with each night spent at a pre-booked hut.

Before 30 November 2020 it must be walked as a 2-night, 3-day return trip due to critical repair work on the northern section.

Track profile

This map shows the Milford Track from where it starts at the head of Lake Te Anau, to the end at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound. The hill profile image below gives you an idea of the steepness of the track at each stage.

View a larger version of the Milford Track profile map (PDF, 90K)

Places to stay

There are 3 huts on the Milford Track, which must be booked in advance during the Great Walks season.

Camping is not permitted on the Milford Track.

During the Great Walks season the hut facilities include:

• Bunks with mattresses in a communal sleeping layout.
• Water supply, flushing toilets, wash basins with cold running water (but no showers).
• Heating with fuel available, and usually solar lighting in the main area.
• Cooking facilities with fuel, tables and seating (but no cooking utensils).
• A resident DOC ranger - they can tell you about the environment and weather, or help out should an emergency arise.

Outside the Great Walks season the hut facilities are reduced:

• Gas is not provided - you will need to bring your own cooking stove.
• Flush toilets are replaced with pit toilets.
• Running water is turned off inside the huts. Water can be obtained from the outside water tank, if this is frozen, then from the nearest water course or by melting snow.
• There are no DOC rangers based at the huts.
• Beds are on a first come, first served basis only

Day 1 – Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut

Time: 1–1 hr 30 min
Distance: 5 km

After a boat cruise fromTe Anau Downs (1 hour 15 minutes), take a leisurely walk through beautiful beech forest along the banks of the Clinton River to Clinton Hut, where all walkers spend the firstnight. Once you arrive, take some time to checkout the great swimming holes near the hut, or take a short walk around the wetland boardwalk.

Side trip: Wetland Walkway

Time: 15 min return

Guided walks with the DOC ranger maybe available during the late afternoon.

Day 2 – Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut

Time: 6 hr
Distance: 16.5 km

A gradual climb follows the Clinton River to its source, Lake Mintaro, at the base of the renowned Mackinnon Pass. Past Hirere Falls you will get your first view of Mackinnon Pass and the impressive Pompolona icefield. You’ll be dwarfed by the sheer scale of the rock walls towering above on either side as you walk up the Clinton Valley, and will pass through changing vegetation as you climb higher towards Mintaro Hut.

Day 3 – Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut

Note: the following section of the track is closed beyond Mckinnon Pass until 30 November 2020. Mackinnon Pass is accessible as a day return trip from Mintaro Hut.

Time: 6–7 hr
Distance: 14 km

Climb to Mackinnon Pass and the memorial to explorer Quintin McKinnon, with exceptional views of Lake Mintaro and the Clinton Canyon along the way. The memorial is a great place to take in the awe-inspiring panoramas, before reaching the highest point of the track and Mackinnon Pass Shelter (1154 m).

From here, you’ll drop steadily through an attractive alpine garden to the valley floor, passing several waterfalls along the Roaring Burn River before arriving at Quintin Shelter. On the way to Dumpling Hut take a moment to admire Sutherland Falls in the distance.

Side trip – Sutherland Falls

Time: 1 hr 30 min return

The side trip to Sutherland Falls is a definite highlight that is highly recommended and well worth the effort. The impressive falls drop 580 m in 3 leaps from Lake Quill.

Sutherland Falls on Google Street View

Day 4 – Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point

Time: 5 hr 30 min – 6 hr
Distance: 18 km

From Dumpling Hut, follow Arthur River to the historic Boatshed. Further along the track, you will reach the dramatic Mackay Falls and intriguing Bell Rock. Admire the man-made rock cuttings alongside the Arthur River and Lake Ada, before spending the last 3 km on a smooth, wide track constructed by a prison labour gang between 1890 and 1892.

A short boat ride from Sandfly Point will take you to your journey’s end, with world-famous views of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi along the way.

Find out about fees for staying at huts on the Milford Track and how to make reservations in the summer season. The track takes 4 days to walk. Camping is not permitted.

Huts

In the Great Walks season (27 October 2020 – 30 April 2021):

New Zealand citizens, those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*:

• Adult (18+ years): $70 per person, per night
• Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required

International visitors:

• Adult (18+ years): $70 per person, per night
• Child (17 years and under): $35 per person, per night

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 - 26 October 2020):

Walking the track outside the Great Walk season should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped trampers.

For all visitors: 

• Adult (18+ years): $15 per person, per night
• Child (17 years and under): free

* New Zealand rates:

• "Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those:
  • who hold a residence class, student or work visa; and
  • who have lived in New Zealand for six of the previous 12 months; and
  • for whom New Zealand is their primary place of established residence.
• Proof of eligibility will be required for the New Zealand rate - see acceptable eligibility proof.

Discounts

A 10% discount is available to members, staff and instructors of the following organisations, who also hold a valid 12 month Backcountry Hut Pass: NZ Mountain Safety Council; NZ Federated Mountain Clubs; NZ Deer Stalkers Association; NZ Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR); Scouts New Zealand; GirlGuiding NZ.

Discounts are not available online. To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so please visit a DOC visitor centre in person. If you get a discount you won't be charged a booking fee.

What to book

In the Great Walks season you need to book all three huts on the track. You must start from the Lake Te Anau end and stay in each hut consecutively.

Outside the Great Walks season you don't need to book huts, but you need to take a Backcountry Hut Pass/Tickets. During the winter season there are reduced facilities and additional safety hazards to consider – see Outside the Great Walks season.

You also need to book transport services to/from the track.

How to book

2020/2021 bookings

Bookings for the full Milford Track are open from 9.30 am on Tuesday 18 August 2020. The dates available are 30 November 2020 to 30 April 2021. 

Bookings will open in September (date to be announced) for the 3-day 2-night hike for 27 October to 29 November 2020. 

Follow this step-by-step process to guide you through booking the Milford Track.

1. Decide the date you want to start walking.
2. Check time options for transport services between Te Anau and the start/end of the track. You can choose to:
   • Book transport at the same time as booking huts.
   • Add transport to your hut booking at a later date – contact the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre.
   • Book buses directly with an operator. Find transport operators for the Milford Track (Destination Fiordland website)
     Note: You can't book the boat from Sandfly Point to Milford Sound through an operator – it must be booked through DOC, either at the same time as making your hut bookings or later through the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre.
3. Check availability of huts. If there is no space in each of the huts from the date you want to start, consider:
   • Starting your walk on a different date.
   • Doing a guided walk. Find guided walk options
4. Book huts (and transport).
   • Book online, or
   • Contact a DOC visitor centre for personal assistance
     Note: Bookings are required for children and/or youth even though it's free for them to stay.
5. Book transport between Te Anau and the start/end of the track if you haven't already done this at the same time as booking huts.

Terms and conditions

Read the booking terms and conditions (scroll to the bottom to find the Terms and Conditions link) for general information, age ranges, prices, discounts, penalty rates and the alterations and cancellations policy. Bookings not meeting the terms and conditions will be treated as invalid and cancelled.

Booking on behalf of others

Guided groups: To operate a commercial activity in an area managed by DOC, you need to apply for a concession (an official permit), in addition to any bookings you would need to make. Read more about concessions 

To make multiple bookings for facilities/services on behalf of customers, you must obtain permission or an agent agreement from DOC. To do this, email: agents@doc.govt.nz 

Travel to and from the Milford Track usually requires road transport and boat access at both ends of the track.

You can only walk the Milford Track in one direction, and the below transport options are for the summer Great Walks season only.

The track starts at Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau. There are three scheduled daily boat services (10.30 am, 1 pm and 2 pm) and on-demand water taxi services from Te Anau Downs. Boat transport takes one hour from Te Anau Downs to the start of the track.

Te Anau Downs is 27 km from Te Anau on the road to Milford Sound. It has a car parking area if you wish to leave your vehicle. Bus services run daily scheduled services from Te Anau to meet the boat at Te Anau Downs.

For experienced trampers, there is tramping access to the start of the track from the Eglinton Valley via the Dore Pass Route.

The Milford Track finishes at Sandfly Point (a 15min boat trip from Milford Sound village).
At the end of your adventure, there are daily bus services from Milford Sound to:

• The Divide - start of Routeburn Track (38 km - 45 min) 
• Te Anau Downs (93 km - 2 hr) 
• Te Anau (120 km - 2.5 hr)
• Queenstown - (297 km - 5 hr)

You'll be given options to book the above connecting transport online, at the same time as you book your hut tickets. You can also organise transport directly with the operators below.

Transport services and guided options

• View DOC-approved businesses that provide services in Fiordland National Park.
• Destination Fiordland also has information about service providers. 

Personal equipment

• Backpack (40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking)
• Waterproof/plastic pack liner
• Sleeping bag (3–4 season)
• First aid kit (including insect repellent, sunscreen, blisterkit, personal medication e.g. antihistamine for allergy to wasp stings)
• Survival kit (survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, highenergy snack food)
• Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year (e.g. map, compass)
• Drink bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
• Eating and cooking utensils (knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel)
• Matches or lighter in waterproof container
• Toiletries
• Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
• Rubbish bag
• Tickets and ID
• Portable stove and fuel
• Candles
• Toilet paper
• Use a toilet when you see one and be prepared with a back-up toilet option

Optional

• Camera
• Ear plugs for communual bunkrooms

Clothing

• For multi-day walking you'll need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night
• Walking boots or firm footwear (should be comfortable and well broken in)
• Socks (wool or polypropylene)
• Shorts (quick dry material)
• Shirt (wool or polypropylene)
• Under layers, top and bottom (wool or polypropylene)
• Mid-layers (wool or polar fleece)
• Raincoat (waterproof, windproof with hood)
• Overtrousers (wind and waterproof)
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey

Optional

• Gaiters
• Lightweight shoes for inside the huts

Food

You can't buy food on the track.

Bring food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value. For example:

• Breakfast: cereal/porridge/oats, firm bread, honey or other spreads
• Lunch: cracker biscuits, cheese, salami, jam/jelly, fruit
• Dinner: instant soup, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze-dried) meals

You'll also need water, snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, tea or coffee, powdered fruit drinks and emergency food in case of any delays on the track.

Equipment rental

Prepare for your trip to Fiordland.

Outside the Great Walks season

For safety reasons the Milford Track doesn't operate as a Great Walk/Easier tramping track during May to October. If attempting the Milford Track at that time, you'll need additional equipment. See Walking the Milford Track outside the Great Walks season.

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 - 26 October 2020):

• Access the track from Lake Te Anau.
• The section between Dumpling Hut and Sandfly Point is closed.
• The Giants Gate Bridge is removed.
• Facilities are greatly reduced.
• There are additional safety hazards to consider.

Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people.

Conditions and risks outside the Great Walks season

• The winter environment in Fiordland is very cold and wet, with snow and ice common in high areas. Deep snow often hides the track markers.
• Daylight hours are short and light is low due to mountain ridges.
• Avalanche-prone bridges across some major water courses are removed.
• DOC does not manage hazards such as flooding or avalanches.

Avalanches

The Milford Track has a lot of complex avalanche terrain. Avalanches are frequent. There are over 57 avalanche paths, some of which may bring avalanche debris to the valley floor and have the potential to cross the Milford Track – their start zones cannot be seen from the track.

If you are going into places avalanches could occur, be sure you:

• have checked the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) and the Avalanche Terrain Exposure scale system (ATES) for the area where you want to go
• have the skills for the ATES class you are going into
• have checked what avalanche advisory and alert information is available from the DOC visitor centre nearest the area where you want to go
• take an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe and a snow shovel. Know how to use these tools.

Rivers

Many of the bridges are removed over winter to avoid damage from avalanches and flooding.

Rivers can rise very rapidly. You must be able to judge when it is not safe to cross and be prepared to turn back. If you decide to cross, you must be competent at crossing large, swift, icy cold rivers.

Take all river crossings seriously. Never cross a flooded stream or river. If in doubt, stay out!

Learn about river hazards on the Mountain Safety Council website.

Huts outside the Great Walks season

Fees are charged per person per night, and hut beds are on a first come, first served basis only. All huts require a Serviced Backcountry Hut Ticket, which must be purchased in advance. Alternatively, a Backcountry Hut Pass (valid for 6 or 12 months) may be used. See Fees and bookings.

Hut facilities are reduced:

• Gas is not provided – you will need to bring your own cooking stove.
• Flush toilets are replaced with pit toilets.
• Running water is turned off inside the huts. Water can be obtained from the outside water tank; if this is frozen, then from the nearest water course or by melting snow.
• No emergency radio facilities.
• There are no DOC rangers based at the huts although DOC staff do occasional checks on facilities (and hut tickets).

Transport outside the Great Walks season

All transport must be arranged before starting the track. During winter, transport operators require minimum numbers and do not always operate a daily service. Transport arrangements can be affected by bad weather. You must discuss an alternative option with transport operators before you begin your walk.

What to take outside the Great Walks season

You need to be totally self-sufficient. It is essential to have the correct food clothing and equipment. See What to take on your Great Walk in Fiordland.

In the off-season you also need the following equipment:

• personal locator beacon
• mountain radio (optional)
• avalanche beacon
• snow shovel
• avalanche probe

Take responsibility for your own safety - be prepared

Before you go, know the The Outdoor Safety Code – 5 simple rules to help you stay safe:

1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Walking the Milford Track outside the Great Walks season should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people.  Navigation, river crossing, and alpine skills are essential for your survival. Visit or contact the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre for conditions and weather before your trip.

Find out more about how to prepare for your trip to Fiordland.

Related links

• AdventureSmart website - for leaving trip intentions
• Outdoor safety code - Mountain Safety Council website
• New Zealand Avalanche Advisory website - for backcountry advisory and avalanche forecasts