Milford Track Info

The 53.5 km Milford Track is in the heart of spectacular Fiordland National Park, which is part of the Te Wahi Pounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

Often described as the finest walk in the world, the Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular. The track can only be walked in one direction, as a 4 day / 3-night walk from Glade Wharf to Milford Sound during the Great Walks Summer Season (late October to late April). Just 40 independent walkers and a similar number of guided walkers are permitted to start the track each day. Pre-booking your hut tickets during summer is essential – book through the Department of Conservation website to reserve your hut space on the Track.

The Milford Track starts at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishes in Milford Sound. Te Anau is the nearest township to the start of the track and 180kms from Queenstown. From here the track passes through the beech forests of a sheer-sided glacial valley as it gradually climbs and follows the crystal-clear Clinton River to the foot of Mackinnon Pass. From the pass (1154 metres), spectacular views of the surrounding mountains are your reward. Sutherland Falls, the highest waterfall in New Zealand can be seen after the descent from the pass. The higher rainfall and milder temperatures of the Arthur Valley give a more diverse forest walk, past waterfalls and lakes to Sandfly Point. A variety of native birds may be seen or heard along the length of the track.

Your walk concludes at Sandfly Point where a ferry will take you the short distance across the bay to Milford Sound. Here is where the Tracknet bus departs to take you on your onward journey to the Divide, Te Anau Downs, Te Anau, or Queenstown.