You already know that milford sound is one of new zealand s top visitor attractions but you might be wondering what to do when you get there. Once described as the finest walk in the world, the milford track is one of new zealand s most popular walks, with approximately 14,000 people completing the milford track each year. Hut bookings are essential during this period and milford track hut reservations are open from 9. Milford track, nz hiking services and information easyhike.
The dense and challenging journey was a barrier to settlers who arrived later. A no bullshit video about what the milford track in new zealand was like in april 2018, staying in the doc huts. There are a variety of ways to experience milford sounds beauty, but the most popular is to visit it on a day tour that includes a scenic cruise around its waters. After finishing your walk, take a spectacular flight from milford sound airport to queenstown airport and get back to queenstown in less than 40 minutes instead of a 5hour bus ride. October 29 april 30 this is the main hiking season in new zealand and time when you must fight with thousands of travelers from all around the world to make your. To book milford huts youll need to visit the department of conservation website. What the milford track is really like nz hiking youtube. Mar 07, 2015 this was the first time i began to hear about the worldfamous milford track, a 4 day, 53. Oceania new zealand south island milford listing id. Oct 28, 2018 the milford track is stunning and hiking new zealand is worldclass hiking, so. Milford track new zealand guided walks ultimate hikes. After hearing about this amazing walk for years we finally did the planning and had an unforgettable hiking trip along this trail on the south island of new zealand. This website aims to be a comprehensive information resource on the milford track, letting you have all the information you need in one place.
Milford track walking holiday new zealands most famous great. Jun 12, 2019 the milford track is new zealand s bestknown great walk for good reason. The milford track is the pinnacle of the new zealand great walks and has become a bucketlist experience for many hikers. Walk new zealands famous milford track with ultimate hikes. The best time to hike the milford track new zealand trails.
The milford track is a hiking route in new zealand, located amidst mountains and temperate rain forest in fiordland national park in the southwest of the south. Experience the milford track the cost effective way by using department of conservation huts and carrying your own bedding. The milford track is without a doubt the most well known of new zealands gre. Freeman burn hut build in the 1930s for people walking the bradshaw sound lake manapouri track. The great walks in new zealand are premier walking tracks that are. Demand high for milford track bookings as trampers snap up places. Milford track get out and walk book air new zealand. I knew from past years if i waited any longer most of the summer would booked and i would be at the marginal ends of. 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. Youll get to walk one of the iconic walks of the world, the milford track, staying in wonderful accommodation along the way and eating gourmet meals. Services connect to all southern new zealand s walking tracks including fiordlands great walks. What to pack for the milford track a full milford track. The milford track is known as the finest walk in the world and is perhaps the most famous of the nine new zealand great walks. But as long as youre prepared, the rain can be a wonderful thing.
The milford track starts at the head of lake te anau and finishes in milford sound. With so many great adventures on offer in new zealand, we have chosen to select the premier adventures in the southern lakes region and showcase the best of the best. We offer a daily ferry service during the great walk season. First, log into your newly created department of conservation account. Since the milford track sells out almost as soon as it is for sale, to avoid disappointment and if you are booking with not so much advance notice, why not try one of our alternate walks in new zealand, such as the routeburn, kepler, abel tasman, queen charlotte or kaikoura coastal track.
Visitors planning to walk the track should book a long way in advance, as numbers on the milford track independent walk package from queenstown are limited and spaces fill quickly. Our allinclusive package includes transport, accommodation, meals, snacks, backpacks, rain jackets and a cruise on the walks grand finale. The added bonus of the milford track is its finishing point milford sound one of new zealands most spectacular natural landmarks. Milford track transport options milford sound lodge. The milford track is a hiking route in new zealand, located amidst mountains and temperate rain forest in fiordland national park in the southwest of the south island. You must book a 1hour boat transfer across lake te anau to the start of the walking track. The best time of year to walk the milford track is in the great walks season, which is from october to april in new zealand s spring, summer and autumn months. Milford track fiordland national park 2021 all you need.
Milford track premium package walk 4 day go new zealand. It was around november, springtime in new zealand, when i began to think about doing some of the famous great walks in the. The milford track book showcases the stunning landscapes of one of new zealand s most popular tramps. Both local and international visitors were still nursing off their hangovers from the evening before. Generally, you can turn up at any time after 2pm and after all the people booked on this boat are put on the boat, if there is room you can hop on. What to know before hiking the milford track milford. Soak up the grandeur of the worldfamous milford track with a guided walk to giants gate falls. Hiking the milford track in new zealand new zealand trails. The 5day4night milford track is one of the firstestablished and bestknown walking tracks in the country. Beautifully presented across 96 pages with over 60 colour images, this book is a must for anyone who has tramped, or looking to tramp, the milford track. Remember that the milford track is in fiordland, one of the wettest and arguably, most beautiful corners of new zealand. The milford track, new zealand fiordland national park book.
Neighbouring hikes include the routeburn, hollyford and kepler tracks. Local maori were the first to use an overland route between lake te anau and milford sound in search of greenstone pounamu. Clark hut built in 1941 and used for deer cullers by the new zealand government. My journey on the milford track in 30 photos young adventuress. Apr 22, 2014 milford track is open in summer from the last week of october to the end of april and from the start of may to the end of october in winter. With marvellous waterfalls, unique wildlife and epic views, no wonder the milford track is the most popular new zealand great walk. The hike to milford sound 4day epic milford track new. Experience the stunning grandeur of the milford track including rugged mountain peaks, breathtaking sheer canyons and majestic waterfalls. Milford track peak season bookings gone in seconds new zealand. At new zealand trails, we believe theres never a bad time to do it during the hiking season, which begins in late october and ends before the winter snow arrives in late april. My journey on the milford track in 30 photos young. Hike the milford track in new zealand active adventures. Located in the heart of spectacular fiordland national park on the south island, it is part of the te wahi pounamu south west new zealand world heritage area.
In the wet, and milford can do wet better than most places in the world, you might find yourself wading waist deep in water, the track transforms. Milford track insights nz great walks cut lunch adventures. Find milford sound information on tours, cruises, getting there and more. Experience 53 kilmoteres of lakes, suspension bridges and mountain peaks as you walk milford track. Apr 11, 2015 milford track once described as the finest walk in the world, the milford track is one of new zealands most popular walks, with approximately 14000 people completing the milford track each year. Seasonal hiking on the milford track during the spring months from september to november, daily highs hover between 16 degrees celsius 5561 f, with lush new growth and alpine flowers adding colour and life to the trail. New zealand milford track stwalk11a about new zealand. Air new zealand is a national partner with doc for conservation, and is proud to support docs great walks. Discover milford sound, new zealands most spectacular natural attraction. Visit beautiful milford track new zealand s most famous hiking trail. New zealand select great walk select great walk abel tasman coast track heaphy track kepler track lake waikaremoana track milford track paparoa track rakiura track routeburn track tongariro northern circuit whanganui journey. Those 800 metre cliffs, and the glacially created clinton valley is totally cliff, run with water, you are in the midst of a valley of waterfalls, something that can only be experienced, lived. Milford track transport packages tracknet transport.
The milford track is located in new zealand s vast fiordland national park, an area often referred to as the walking capital of the world. New zealands most famous walk around 100 years ago, in an article that appeared in the london spectator, the poet blanche baughan declared the milford track to be the finest walk in the world. One of new zealand s greatest hikes, the milford track is a pointtopoint walk where youll journey from lake te anau to the heart of milford sound. Visit milford track on your trip to fiordland national park. With thousands of hikers completing the milford track each year, the process of booking track passes through the department of conservation doc is fairly straight forward.
New zealand s most famous walk, the milford track has been thrilling hikers for more than 150 years. Milford track book your transport fiordland outdoors co. Apr 14, 2020 the milford track is one of the 10 great walks of new zealand and is often referred to as the finest walk in the world. After finishing your walk, take a spectacular flight from milford sound airport to queenstown airport and get back to queenstown in less. The ultimate guide to hiking in new zealand 2021 guide. Explore alpine peaks and untouched forests of new zealand s south island whilst enjoying the comfort of our private lodges.
With the new year fast approaching, we decided to book one of the famous great walks of new zealand the milford track. Distance 53 kilometres start finish lake te anau at glade wharf to sandfly point time 4 days difficulty moderate described by many as one of the finest hikes in the world and possibly new zealand s gem of all hikes, the milford track without a doubt is breathtaking from start to finish. Its rare for a hiking adventure to be enhanced by moody weather, but on the milford track, this is exactly the kind of climate that brings the environment to life. For visitors to new zealand, the track is a mustdo and one of the finest ways to explore the unique ecosystem and geological formations of fiordland. Milford track in te anau, new zealand lonely planet. The milford track was established in 1888 as an overland route between lake te anau and milford sound. Trekking in new zealand is divided into two seasons, and some treks during this time have different rules and different ways how to book the stay. Trekking in new zealand is divided into two seasons, and some treks during this time have different rules and different ways how to book the stay, and milford track is one of them. Some hikers say that only when it rains does the milford track truly come alive water thunders down steep granite mountainsides, rainforests turn. Hiking new zealands milford track with kids an adventure. Jan 21, 2018 it is now harder to book a walk on the milford track than it is to see justin bieber or adele live in concert in auckland. One of new zealand s great walks, the milford track is a spectacular 3day hike traversing through the very best scenery fiordland has to offer.
Milford track independent walk once described as the finest walk in the world, the milford track is one of new zealand s most popular walks. Bookings will open in september date to be announced for hiking on the milford track from 27 october to 29 november 2020. If youd like to discover more adventures in new zealand request the new zealand trails brochure here. Milford track is open in summer from the last week of october to the end of april and from the start of may to the end of october in winter. The milford track can only be walked in one direction, over 4 days and 3 nights, starting at the head of lake te anau and finishing at milford soundpiopiotahi. Milford track fiordland national park tramping new zealand. It takes in glacial peaks, a mountain pass, new zealand s highest waterfall and the dense rainforest of fiordland. Experience the stunning grandeur of fiordland national park and be awed by its natural wonders. Ross harraway, 74, has been a department of conservation hut warden on. On my first trip to new zealand, i spent nearly two weeks driving around most of the south island, including spending a fullday in the milford sound with a cruise and kayaking mentioned later. Te anau is the nearest township to the start of the track. What to expect on the milford track logistics, difficulty. The milford track one of the greatest walks in the world from te anau to milford sound, new zealand that is said to sell out within seconds each year. Hikers cross the mighty mackinnon pass and enjoy views of the pompolona icefield, lake mintaro and the towering clinton canyon.
The milford track is located in new zealands vast fiordland national park, an area often referred to as the walking capital of the world. Although not an essential for your milford track packing list we didnt bring any walking sticks would probably make your walk a lot easier. Its a trail with breathtaking views all the way, whether its the deep valley, mountaintop glaciers, huge mountain passes, new zealands biggest waterfall or the lush green forest, this hike is ever changing. A 40ltr backpack that will contain your belongings and you will carry with you. Early new years day we arrived into queenstown south island. For most kiwis, the milford track is a rite of passage, with some fit and adventurous children being introduced to tramping hiking on this iconic trail. Jul 29, 2020 milford track water taxi leg 2 sandfly point to milford sound approx. Milford track walking holiday new zealands most famous. The milford track, new zealand book christchurch city. The alpine and fiord scenery is as perfect as ever.
As the glittering jewel in fiordlands hiking crown, however, the milford track is the one many gravitate towards. Jan 30, 2020 based on my personal packing list for my milford track, and ideas i picked up from the other independent walkers around me, ive managed to put together what i believe to be a solid full packing list for the milford track and for other great walks in the same area of new zealand such as the kepler and routeburn tracks. For more than 150 years, lovers of beautiful hikes have come to the milford track to marvel at its majestic mountains, towering waterfalls and pristine lakes that set the milford track apart from the other great walks. Milford track peak season bookings gone in seconds stuff. Mackinnon pass memorial memorial on the route, now famous as the milford track, discovered by quintin mckinnon and ernest mitchell in 1888. The added bonus of the milford track is its finishing point milford sound one of new zealand s most spectacular natural landmarks. Southern lakes explorer with milford track water by nature. Milford track, fiordland national park, new zealand.
Milford track transport package deals fiordland outdoors. A multiday hike through this unesco world heritage area is certainly an adventure of a lifetime. Liz carlson, of the popular travel blog young adventuress, recently walked the milford track and has some exclusive, what you should know before you go, insights to share with us air new zealand. Oct 23, 2018 the milford track is located in fiordland national park, part of te wahipounamu south west new zealand world heritage area. Youll get to walk one of the iconic walks of the world, the milford track, staying in wonderful accommodation along. We operate the only 5 day4 night guided hike with private lodges on new zealands famous milford track. Once described as the finest walk in the world, the milford track is one of new zealand s most popular walks.
Whether you choose to walk the 4day track independently and stay at the huts or enjoy part of it on a single day tour, the milford track is a mustdo in new zealand. A practical guide to the milford track nz pocket guide. May 21, 2018 hiking the milford track with kids was an amazing and memorable trip for our family. If youre planning to book twoway return transport for the milford track. The weather will be more settled during these times of year, although it can be unpredictable at any time of year. Walking the milford track the milford track starts at glade wharf, te anau downs. Milford track fiordland national park 2021 all you. Tracknet bus services travel each day between queenstown, te anau, milford sound and invercargill. As the glittering jewel in fiordlands hiking crown, however, the milford track is.
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