A Practical Guide to the Milford Track 🥾 [2024]

Milford Track Checklist: What to Take

What are the essentials to pack for hiking the Milford Track? Here is our Milford Track packing list!

Equipment to Take on the Milford Track

• 40-60 L backpack (see How to Choose a Good Backpack)
• Sleeping bag (3-4 season)
• First aid kit (see Health Tips For Travelling in New Zealand for what to include)
• Survival kit (survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil and high-energy snack food)
• Ice axe, crampons and avalanche safety equipment (in winter)
• 1-2 L drink bottle
• Matches or lighter in a waterproof container
• Toiletries (don’t use soap in lakes and streams)
• Torch/flashlight
• Rubbish bag (you must take all rubbish out with you)
• Tickets and ID (for use of the huts and transportation)
• Earplugs (for hut bunk rooms)
• Camera

Clothing to Take on the Milford Track

• Hiking boots (check out How to Choose a Good Pair of Hiking Boots)
• Wool or polypropylene socks
• Hiking pants/shorts (quick-dry material)
• Wool or polypropylene underlayers for top and bottom
• Mid-layers (wool or polar fleece)
• Waterproof and windproof raincoat
• Waterproof and windproof overtrousers
• Hat and gloves (in colder months)
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Underwear

Food to Take on the Milford Track

• Water
• High-energy snacks (muesli bars, biscuits, nuts, etc.)
• Breakfast meals (firm bread, honey, etc.)
• Lunch meals (fruit, sandwiches prepared before the trip)
• Dinner meals (pasta, rice, dried vegetables, fruit, cheese, freeze-dried meals) and utensils to eat it with like a knife, fork, container, cleaning kit, (and your own gas burner in winter when fuel is not provided).

For more tips on camping gear to pack, especially concerning camping utensils, check out our Camping Essentials Checklist for New Zealand.

A Quick Track Description of the Milford Track

The Milford Track is a well-formed track with signposts along the way making it impossible to get lost (during the Great Walks season). There are occasional small streams to cross which are usually easy to get over safely. After wet weather, streams can flood the track. Expect some hill climbs. Winter conditions make the track more challenging (see below). The Milford Track starts at Glade Wharf at the end of Lake Te Anau and ends at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound. See more about transportation to get there and back below.

• Day 1: Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut (5 km/3 mi, 1 hr 30 mins)
• Day 2: Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut (16.5 km/10 mi, 6 hrs)
• Day 3: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut (14 km/9 mi, 6-7 hrs)
  Optional side trip: Quintin Shelter to Sutherland Falls (1 hr 30 mins return)
• Day 4: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point (18 km/11 mi, 6 hrs).

If you are fit enough and have the time before nightfall, you can go Glade Wharf to Mintaro Hut in one day to make the trip a 3-day walk instead

Transportation for the Milford Track

Boats, buses and car relocation services all operate for the Milford Track. At any time of the year, you need to book all transport in advance, which can be done directly with operators or on the Department of Conservation website when you are booking the huts.

Transport to Te Anau Downs and Glade Wharf

The Milford Track starts at Glade Wharf at the southern end of Lake Te Anau (about 27 km/17 mi from Te Anau township down the Milford Road/SH94). To get there, you will need to take road transport from Te Anau to Te Anau Downs. There are multiple transport operators who can either transport you by bus to Te Anau Downs or have a car relocation service where you park your car at Te Anau Downs and your car will then be relocated to the Milford Sound car park while you are doing to the Milford Track.

From Te Anau Downs, you need to either take a scheduled boat trip across Lake Te Anau to Glade Wharf (1 hr 30 mins) which runs twice daily during the Great Walks season or book an on-demand water taxi, such as with Fiordland Outdoors Co.

Experienced hikers can access Glade House from the Eglinton Valley on the Dore Pass Route (8 hrs one way). The route begins from the Milford Road about 66 km (41 mi) from Te Anau from a car park near the Eglinton River.

Transportation from Sandfly Point

The Milford Track ends at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound where you will need to take a 15-minute boat trip to the main wharf in Milford Sound. From there, you will either have your car parked in the car park if you have used a car relocation service, or you can take one of the many scheduled bus services back to Te Anau Downs, Te Anau or Queenstown.

Avalanche Risk and Helicopter Transportation

Between October and mid-December (which is part of the Great Walks season), there may still be an avalanche risk due to late snowfall and spring thaw. If sections of the track are considered too dangerous by the DOC, helicopter transport over the unsafe areas is offered to you are your own cost. You will pay for this fee when collecting your hut tickets in Te Anau. If you do not want to pay, then you will be offered a full refund for the track.

Check the track conditions close to your departure date to check whether helicopter services are in use. There will be a notice on the DOC website.

Where to Stay on the Milford Track

Accommodation on the Milford Track is in the form of Great Walk Huts. Bookings are essential during the Great Walks season and must be booked online at the DOC website.

In the Great Walks season, hut prices are at their highest and are higher still if you are a visitor from overseas; see the Great Walk Hut fees page on the DOC website for up-to-date prices.

Huts are usually fully booked for the Milford Sound about a year before the Great Walks season. It is essential that you book your hut tickets as soon as possible. Some bookings may be cancelled which are shown on the DOC’s booking page. These are on a first-come-first-served basis. Once you have completed your booking, you will get instructions on where to pick up your hut and transport tickets in Te Anau.

Note that there are no campgrounds on the Milford Track. Camping is not permitted.

Hut Facilities on the Milford Track

During the Great Walks Season, the hut facilities include:

• Bunks in a communal layout
• Mattresses
• Solar-powered light in the kitchens
• Cold running water (no showers)
• DOC ranger
• Heating with fuel
• Flushing toilets
• Basic cooking facilities with fuel (no utensils).

For more on how to prepare for staying in a hut, check out our guide on What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?

How Much Does it Cost to Do the Milford Track?

The cost to hike the Milford Track varies depending on several factors, including accommodation and transportation. Hikers must book huts or guided walks in advance, with prices for hut bookings set by the Department of Conservation (DOC). See the Great Walk Hut fees page on the DOC website for up-to-date prices. As a ballpark figure, the cost of the Milford Track is approximately NZ$580 for international visitors and NZ$490 for NZ residents including hut accommodation and transport to and from Te Anau. This does not include investment in hiking gear or food. 

Guided walks are available and include accommodation, meals, and transportation, but are significantly more expensive, often costing several thousand New Zealand dollars per person. Additional costs may include transportation to and from the track’s start and end points, rental equipment and any pre- or post-hike accommodation.

Please note that prices can vary, so it’s important to check the latest information from the DOC website or tour providers when planning your trip.

The Milford Track Outside of the Great Walks Season

Outside of the Great Walks season, otherwise known as the winter season (between May and October), the Milford Track remains open but with reduced facilities. Weather, track and avalanche conditions all impact whether you can do the Milford Track or not so be sure to contact the DOC Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre before departure.

Even if the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre has said it is safe to go on the track, you still need to be prepared for any weather scenario. Fiordland is very wet and cold in the winter months and alpine areas are usually covered in snow. You will need a Topo map which can be purchased from the Fiordland Visitor Centre.

Some bridges are taken down during winter to avoid avalanche damage. You must be able to cross large and swift icy rivers. You will also need navigational skills where areas of the track may be covered in deep snow.

Hut Facilities During the Winter Season

Huts have bunks, mattresses and a wood burner. However, gas is not provided, flush toilets are replaced by pit toilets, and running water is turned off inside the hut. There are no rangers in the huts during the winter season.

Hut bookings are not required during the winter season, they are on a first-come-first-served basis. See the Great Walk Hut fees page on the DOC website for up-to-date winter prices.

Winter Season Transport

All transport still needs to be arranged before you start the track. (see transport options above). Operators usually require minimum numbers and do not always run a daily service.

How to Experience the Milford Track in a Day

If you don’t have five days to spare for the full Milford Track, Trips & Tramps offer half-day and full-day guided experiences of the famous trail including a boat trip across Lake Te Anau taking you to see waterfalls, mountains and lakes along the first section of the trail. Considering the cost of transport and a knowledgeable Kiwi guide (and a hot drink) are included, this tour offers fantastic value for money should you just want a taste of the Milford Track.

Alternatively, Fiordland Outdoors Co. offers water taxi transport from Sandfly Point in Milford Sound to the end of the Milford Track, where visitors can enjoy a day walk to Giant Gate Falls. This section of the track is easy-going and family-friendly, accessible for most fitness levels. Trips & Tramps also offer a guided hike and transport of this end of the Milford Track.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Milford Track

And for anything we might have missed, here are some FAQs for those considering this iconic hike through Fiordland National Park’s breathtaking landscapes.

How long does it take to walk the Milford Track?

The Milford Track is typically completed in 4 days and 3 nights. The track covers a distance of approximately 53.5 km (33.2 mi) and is walked in one direction, starting at Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishing at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound. Each day involves walking for 5 to 8 hours, with overnight stays at designated huts along the route.

Is the Milford Track hard?

The Milford Track is considered moderate in difficulty. It is well-maintained and clearly marked, making it accessible for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness and some hiking experience. The most challenging section is the ascent and descent of Mackinnon Pass, which requires a steady climb and can be demanding in wet or snowy conditions. Adequate preparation, including physical fitness and proper gear, is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable hike.

Why is the Milford Track so popular?

The Milford Track’s popularity stems from its extraordinary natural beauty and diverse landscapes. The track offers hikers the chance to experience pristine forests, majestic waterfalls, vast valleys, and stunning mountainous terrain, culminating in the spectacular Milford Sound. Its reputation as part of New Zealand’s Great Walks, along with its accessibility for a range of hikers, adds to its allure. The limited number of hikers allowed on the track each day also ensures a more exclusive and immersive wilderness experience.

What month is best for Milford Track?

The Milford Track is open for walking from late October to late April, with the peak season being during the New Zealand summer months, from December to February. The best month to walk the track is often considered to be either November or March when the weather is still relatively stable, and there are fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months.

What is the best time of year to walk the Milford Track?

The best time of year to walk the Milford Track is during the Great Walks season, which runs from late October to late April. During this period, the track is fully accessible, and the huts are open and equipped with gas, running water and heating. Early in the season (November) and later (March and April) offer slightly cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, providing a more solitary experience.

Can you free walk the Milford Track?

No, you cannot “free walk” the Milford Track in terms of avoiding fees, as you even need to pay for overwater transport to access the Milford Track (unless you’re a great swimmer). A booking is required for all overnight stays in the huts along the track, and there are charges associated with these bookings. The track cannot be accessed for overnight hikes without a valid booking due to the limited capacity of the huts and environmental considerations.

Can you walk the Milford Track without a guide?

Yes, you can walk the Milford Track independently without a guide. Independent walkers must book hut accommodations through the Department of Conservation. However, for those who prefer a more supported experience, guided walks are available that include accommodations, meals and additional educational insights into the track’s natural and cultural heritage. Learn more about guided walks on the Milford Track in the 5 Best Luxury Experiences in Milford Sound.

Can you drink the water on the Milford Track?

Yes, the water from streams and rivers along the Milford Track is generally clean and safe to drink. However, it is recommended to collect water upstream of any huts or campsites and, if in doubt, treat the water before drinking. Boiling, filtering or using water purification tablets are effective ways to ensure the water is safe for consumption.

Do you need hiking boots for the Milford Track?

Yes, sturdy hiking boots are recommended for the Milford Track. The track can be rugged and wet in places, with uneven terrain, tree roots and rocks. Good quality, waterproof hiking boots provide the necessary support, grip, and protection for your feet, ensuring a safer and more comfortable hiking experience. For more advice, check out How to Choose a Good Pair of Hiking Boots.