Home>Adventure Travel Destinations>Australia,New Zealand and Oceanea Adventures

Milford Track New Zealand

Milford Sound the final destination of the Milford Track Tramping the Milford Track in New Zealand is 53km over 4 days through the heart of New Zealands Fjordland NP. The track connects the glacial lake of Te Anau,passes over Mackinnon Pass and finishes in beautiful Milford Sound.The track is walked from south to north and places must be reserved for the walk. An organised trip will get you a permit and your accomodation in huts and lodges along the way. Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in the world 7m/year. The wettest places in the UK get around 4m / year. If you re used to hiking in the UK you shoulds know all about wet weather gear and hiking in the rain. If you're from drier climes you will need wet weather gear that is fully waterproof,breathable,comfortable and not too bulky. A raincover and plastic liner is essential to stop all your gear getting soaked.

Access to the track is limited to 40 independent hikers/day but many people join a guided group and have all their accomodation booked ahead.www.ultimatehikes.co.nz is the only Dept.of Conservation approved operator for overnight guided hikes so you'll need to go through them for group hikes. 4 night trips run from Queenstown from November to April, but there will be alot of you.

Day 1:Take the 75 minute boat ride across Lake Te Anau to Glade Wharf. A few km walk by the Clinto River is all thats required on the first day

Day 2: 16kms today, not steep, but a very gradual ascent up the glacial Clinton Valley. There are avalanche run outs and streams to ford.Birch forest,moss,meadows and lots of waterfalls. Watch out for Keas,these parrots with sharp beaks will go for any of your possessions and carry them off.

Day 3: Big climb today over MacKinnon Pass. Zig zag up 1073m and hopefully you'll get a fantastic view and the rain will hold off. Down a rocky path by the Roaring Burn and a chance for a sidetrip to Sutherland Falls,New Zealands highest,you can even go behind the falls as it pours in front of you like a curtain.

Day 4: A Gentle downhill along the Arthur river, if it isn't raining the vegetation should tell you that it does - a lot.Suspended bridges and waterfalls dot the route. Finally at Sandfly point you'll take a boat to the head of Milford Sound. From here you can explore the Sound by boat and kyak hopefully spotting dolphins and fur seals.