Bookings are now open for our Winter 2024 Great Walks transport! The Milford, Routeburn and Kepler Track Transport Packages and Sector Transport can now be booked online
Tracknet Transport offer reliable daily scheduled passenger bus and coach services to and from many of the most beautiful areas of the South Island.
Tracknet Transport
77 Manapouri-Te Anau Highway
Te Anau 9679
New Zealand
res@tracknet.net
Milford Track Winter - Out Of Season
Milford Track Transport for the Winter Season is available from the 1st to the 24th May 2024
Experience the world-famous Milford Track outside of the Great Walks season.
Winter offers some of the most settled weather conditions and most dazzling scenery, which you can enjoy at this time of year without the crowds. Milford Track in winter is for experienced hikers who want to explore the area before the hectic summer season begins. Tracknet offers a Milford Track transport package from Te Anau to the Milford Track & return for just $248.00 per person
(Please note that there needs to be 6 passengers confirmed to operate each trip)
How to book Milford Track in Winter
Are you an experienced hiker itching for some winter outdoor adventure? The Milford Track can be walked during May-October, conditions permitting.
Tracknet makes it simple for you to book your Milford Track transport with our package deals.
MORE DETAILSGet Hut Tickets
In winter, the huts aren't serviced, and all equipment required for completing the walk will need to be carried by you and your tramping party. Go to your nearest Department of Conservation office to purchase hut tickets, or visit the website to find your closest Backcountry Hut ticket retailer.
Hut Info
Book Transport
Milford Track transport departs from Te Anau at 8:30am for hiking between the 1st May - 24th May 2024. A second departure may be available at 10:30am once the earlier boat is full.
Bookings are essential and depend on weather, track, lake, and road conditions.
Book Transport
Be Prepared!
You are responsible for your own safety and ensuring that you have the correct equipment, knowledge, and experience to complete the Track. During the winter, walking times may need to be increased due to more difficult walking conditions and natural hazards.
Get Organised
Book your transport departing from Fiordland Base Camp at the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels. From here, we offer free overnight parking under camera surveillance and free locker facilities for the duration of your walk. We offer barista Roar coffee to purchase, and showers are also available for $15.00 per person for a post-walk freshen-up. There is an excellent range of accommodation here, so you can stay and relax after your walk before travelling on.
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
Bookings are essential to confirm your seat.
NOTE: There needs to be a minimum of 6 passengers booked to confirm each trip
Alternatively, if you require further details, call us on freephone: 0800 483 262.
For private transfers or charters please enquire to: res@tracknet.net.
Plan Your Trip
Milford Track Winter Information
Off-Season Milford Track Transport will be available from 1st May - 24th May 2024
Out of Season Milford Track Transport package is available to book for hiking between the 1st May - 24th May 2024 (note this is weather permitting & minimum number of 6 passengers is required to confirm a departure).
Bookings are essential as all departures operate on demand, however, all departures are weather, track, lake, and road dependent as conditions can change quickly in Fiordland. Tracknet will not transport passengers if weather & conditions are deemed dangerous or unsuitable.
There is a maximum of 10 people per bus and boat transfer. The 10:30am departure will only be available once the 8:30am departure is fully booked. A minimum of 6 passengers is also required per trip. There may be additional departures available for groups, please contact us for further information.
If the track is closed after walking has begun, Tracknet and their partners reserve the right to use any remaining portion of the ticketed fare towards the cost of the hiker's transport to safety; in extreme cases, clients will be liable for extra transport expenses.
Each departure can only be confirmed 24-48 hours in advance once forecasts and the latest track conditions are at hand. Please allow up to 1 working day for your full confirmation email and we will be in touch 24-48 hours before departure to confirm your transport.
Booking Information 2024
Please read the following information, which outlines essential aspects to consider when walking the Milford Track during the Winter.
- The Huts all have bunk beds including mattresses and wood-burners. However, during the Winter months they are not serviced and you need to be self-sufficient. This includes taking gas for cooking, organising collection of your own water, firewood etc. You must be confident that you and your group have the necessary skills, fitness, and equipment for winter tramping. Know your limits.
- Hut tickets can be purchased from the Department of Conservation office (DOC) or your nearest Backcountry Hut ticket retailer, as identified on this website.
- You must carry either a mountain radio and/or locator beacon. Tracknet will not transport you unless you or your group has at least one of these. These are available to hire in Te Anau.
- You must read winter walking conditions, information and track alerts and check with the Te Anau DOC Visitor Centre before your trip for the latest track conditions.
- You must check the latest weather report and be prepared to change your plans if conditions are unfavourable. Weather changes will affect conditions in the backcountry.
- Know the outdoor safety code. Ensure your group is well equipped and carrying the correct equipment for your journey for alpine, river crossings and winter conditions.
- While the bridges may still be in place during May, if heavy rainfall/avalanche has caused damage to a bridge, then there may not be a bridge there. Unbridged river crossings are extremely hazardous. During and after heavy rain, rivers and streams in this region rise rapidly, and flooding of the track is common. River and stream levels will quickly drop once rain stops. If caught between flooded streams, seek higher ground and wait for water levels to drop. BE PREPARED TO WAIT. Knowledge and experience in river crossings are essential for your survival. If in doubt - DO NOT CROSS.
- When snow and ice is present in the alpine section; alpine equipment is required. Navigation and alpine skills are essential for your survival.
- There are over 57 avalanche paths on the Milford Track, and you can check avalanche conditions HERE. Be avalanche alert, more information can be found on the DOC avalanche info page.
- Your safety and the decisions you make while on the track are your responsibility.
- Take extra food/supplies in case you are delayed on the track – allow for at least two extra days.
- All departures are weather/track/lake/road dependent. Conditions can change quickly. Tracknet will not transport passengers if weather and conditions are deemed dangerous or unsuitable.
- Tracknet reserves the right not to transport poorly equipped individuals (including those without a locator beacon or similar).
- Bookings are essential, Tracknet are permitted to transport a maximum of 26 people per day (two trips of 13 passengers), to Glade wharf.
- Operated by Tracknet in conjunction with Fiordland Outdoors Co, commencing as conditions such as snow or weather allow the track to be passable.
- This product is not Endorsed as part of the Qualmark License held by Tracknet. Tracknet reserves all rights.
Bookings: You can check departure times and availability online.
Alternatively, please contact us to make your bookings or request further details.
Bus Timetable
| Milford Track Winter Timetable | Winter Milford Track Transport will be available from 1st May - 24th May 2024Departure Times | Travel Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Te Anau to Te Anau Downs | 8:30am | 10:30am* | 30 minutes | |
| Boat from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf | 9:00am | 11:00am* | 1 hour | |
| Boat from Sandfly Point to Milford Sound | 2:00pm | 15 minutes | ||
| Milford Sound to Te Anau | 3:00pm | 2 hrs & 15 mins | ||
* The 10:30am departure will only be available once the 8:30am departure is full. Minimum of 6 passengers also required.
Fiordland Base Camp
The Tracknet office is based at the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels (77 Manapouri - Te Anau Highway, Te Anau), and because of our fantastic location we are able to offer our customers so much more than just transport! Stay with us at Fiordland's Base Camp, and take advantage of these convenient extras
- Wide variety of accommodation options available
- Across the road from the Department of Conservation (DOC) office, where you can pickup your hut tickets, purchase maps, and find out the latest mountain weather forecasts and track conditions
- FREE overnight carparking
- FREE excess luggage storage
- 10 -minute walk into Te Anau town centre to supermarkets & restaurants
- Showers after your walk for $15.00 per person
- Coffee shop on site
We have been organising track transport in Te Anau for over 30 years, so know what people need to get them there. Make your trip even easier and book your accommodation at the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels, your Fiordland Base Camp.
Hut Information
DOC Backcountry hut fees apply – hut tickets are available at DOC Visitor Centres or at Backcountry Hut ticket retailers.
In the Winter Season, bridges are removed to avoid damage from avalanches, and some facilities are unavailable. Hut tickets are necessary and each hut has bunk beds, matresses and a woodburner. Radios, gas cooking rings, and fuel for heating and lighting are removed from huts. They will not have running water, but a nearby water supply is available. Flush toilets are closed, but a winter pit toilet will be provided.
Equipment Considerations
In addition to the equipment listed for walking during the Great Walks Peak Season, you should also carry: a gas cooker, toilet paper, torch or gas light for at night in the huts, extra food in case you are delayed on the track, extra warm clothing, mountain radio and/or personal locator beacon (PLB). Your pack should have a pack liner to keep your gear dry.
Hiring Equipment
Mountain Radios and Personal Locator Beacons can be hired in Te Anau from Stu’s Place (Mountain Radio’s) +64 3 249 8363 and Caltex Te Anau (Personal Locator Beacons) +64 3 249 7140.
If you require any additional gear, there are hire and provisions available in Te Anau. You can hire tramping gear from Bev’s Tramping Gear Hire and/or Outside Sports.
Accommodation, showers, spa bath, laundry, car storage, baggage storage and lockers are available at the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
Didymo
When you arrive at Glade Wharf on the Milford Track, you will be asked to walk through a 5% detergent to 95% water solution – this will kill any Didymo (an invasive Freshwater plant) that may be on your boots. If you have any other gear (such as gaiters or waders), please check, clean (using a 5% detergent to 95% water solution) and dry your gear BEFORE and AFTER your travels through Fiordland National Park – and any other area in New Zealand.
