The Fiordland National Park is the cornerstone of the Te Wahipounamu Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. Enjoy close encounters with the native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Weka; Fantail; Parakeet; Bellbird; even Kiwi have been spotted! Walkers on the track to Milford Sound encounter Fiordland at its most spectacular: deep lakes; silent fiords; luxuriant forest and sheer canyons carved out of imposing granite define this landscape. On fine days there is a postcard shot around every corner, but only when it rains and torrents of water cascade down the mountainsides have you truly experienced the magic of the Milford Track.

Accommodation
The Milford Track is in the heart of Fiordland, some of New Zealand's most isolated and rugged back country. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy all the comforts of home at the same time. The lodges have been purpose designed and built, with everything right down to the last nail flown in by helicopter! The result is sheer indulgence in the last place you would expect it.

All lodges have drying rooms, flush toilets and hot showers complete with soap, shampoo, conditioner and even hairdryers. A full kitchen treats you with a three course dinner and cooked breakfast, enjoy a drink from the bar before dinner or pick up extra film or sunscreen from the shop. They even have generated electricity (turned off at 10.00pm each evening). Take your pick from multi share accommodation: bedrooms with bunk beds sleeping 4 to 6 people per room; or the new private bedrooms with one queen or 2 single beds and private bathrooms as shown above.

Food and refreshment
After an invigorating day on the Milford Track you will have worked up an appetite. All lodges have a full kitchen and lodge staff have been working to make sure your time inside on the Milford Track is as memorable as your time outside.

Enjoy a snack and cold drink when you arrive at the lodge. A three course dinner follows: hearty home made soup; a traditional New Zealand main; fresh garden salad and no Kiwi meal would be complete without 'pudding' (dessert), and tea or coffee. A selection of New Zealand wine, beer and soft drinks are available for purchase from the bar throughout the evening.

A hot cuppa will be ready and waiting for early risers and breakfast offers a selection of fruit and cereal to a full cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs. Just what you need to send you on your way for another day in the great wide open. Your guides will lay everything out for you to make your own picnic lunch on the way out: a delicious sandwich and your choice of fruit and energy snacks to keep you going through the day. Lunch is on route but there will be hot drinks ready for you at all lunch stops.

For those of you with any special dietary requests or requirements, let us know at the time of booking and we will be more than happy to cater to your needs.

Walking the Milford Track

Day 1

Your adventure begins at Queenstown 9.00am where you catch a coach to Te Anau, arriving in time for a light lunch and a group photo. After lunch we drive to Te Anau Downs boat harbour, where a launch waits to take us up to the spectacular northern end of Lake Te Anau. From the wharf it is a short walk to historic Glade House, our first lodge, for a hot shower, filling meal and comfortable bed.

Day 2

Leave Glade House and cross the emerald green Clinton River by swingbridge. You make your way up the Clinton Valley, being sure to stop and take it all in as you walk to the Hirere Falls lunch shelter. Your guides will point out Mackinnon's original hut site, a detour known as the wetland walk, 'the big tree' and other points of interest.

After lunch the Beech forest gets more luxuriant the further you go and the valley walls climb steeper and higher. On sunny days follow your guides into the swimming hole, cool but very refreshing!

From here it's onto the Prairie, an open meadow where you can capture the true nature of the ice carved Clinton Canyon. Named the Valley of the Perpendicular by the early pioneers and it is easy to see why as the rock walls tower up to 4000 feet above you. It is a short climb to Pompolona Lodge from here for your second night on the Milford Track.

Day 3

Today is the day people find the most challenging, but also the most rewarding. After an early start the track leads toward the head of the Clinton Valley. As you begin your climb the 3 leaps of St Quintin Falls can be seen and Mt Balloon rears into view, onto the Practice Hill and Lake Mintaro. From here you climb a series of zig zags, the views on the way up will astound you as the valley floor drops away beneath your feet.

Once you reach the top all the effort will be worthwhile. Your guide will be waiting with hot and cold drinks at Mackinnon's memorial cairn. Look out from 12 second drop to the Arthur Valley beneath you. After lunch in Pass Hut the track takes you down a long downhill section to Quintin Lodge. On the rocky descent you will pass towering rock cliffs, glacial streams, moss covered forest, a cascading waterfall section and have your first view of Sutherland Falls.

After a hot cup of tea at Quintin Lodge leave your backpack behind for the 1.5 hour round trip to the mighty Sutherland Falls , fifth highest on the planet at 1904 feet / 540 metres. Take your jacket and dare to walk right in behind the falls, a once in a lifetime experience!

Day 4

Your final day on the Milford Track. Follow the Arthur River as it makes it's way to Milford Sound. Walk through deep luxuriant beech forest, a final view of Sutherland Falls, glimpses of Diamond Creek and Danger Mountain can be seen before arriving at Boatshed for morning tea.

From here cross the river by swingbridge and carry on to MacKay Falls and Bell Rock. Linger here and savour this unearthly beauty. Follow the track and as you near the 30 mile peg you may hear the steady roar of Giant's Gate Falls, your lunch spot.

The final stretch of the track follows tranquil Lake Ada to Sandfly Point where the Maori goddess Te Hine-nui-te-po released the sandfly to stop men lingering too long in the beauty of Fiordland. From here you catch the launch to Milford Sound and Mitre Peak Lodge, where you will enjoy a celebratory dinner. Relax with the knowledge that the hard part is now behind you while the magnifiicence of Milford Sound spreads before you.

Day 5

After breakfast embark on your Milford Sound cruise. Out on the Fiord, you realise the grandeur of the surrounding mountains, the centrepiece being Mitre Peak, rising vertically over one mile from the water line.

The Fiord is a marine reserve and a haven for many marine animals. Look for Southern Fur Seals basking on the rocks. Bottlenose and Dusky Dolphins are sometimes found swimming in pods, the latter often performing leaps and flips. In early summer the fiord is also home to the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin, which come into the fiord to mate and raise their young.

Milford’s reputation as being one of the wettest places on earth is not unfounded. But don’t be fooled into thinking you have to see it in fine weather, as Rudyard Kipling described it as the eighth wonder of the world, in rain!

On returning to the wharf, board your coach and climb your way out from Milford Sound and on to Queenstown via Te Anau (arriving at approx 4.15pm), completing your journey of the "finest walk in the world." Please note that this arrival time does not connect with flights from Queenstown.

Packages

The Milford Track is open from November to April each year.

2007/2008 season
Walking the track costs NZ$1,690 in low season (1 November - 30 November and 1 April - 30 April), or NZ$1,850 in high season (1 December to 31 March). Child fares are also available (NZ$1,490 low season or NZ$1,650 high season). Prices for walking and staying in private rooms are NZ$2,040 low season and $2,200 high season (single supplement $350).

2008/2009 season
Walking the track costs NZ$1,690 in low season (1 November - 30 November and 1 April - 18 April), or NZ$1,850 in high season (1 December to 31 March). Child fares are also available (NZ$1,490 low season or NZ$1,650 high season). Prices for walking and staying in private rooms are NZ$2,040 per person twin share low season and $2,200 per person twin share high season (single supplement is double the per person price - i.e. NZ$4,080 low season and NZ$4,400 high season).

Prices include transfers from Queenstown, 5 days/4 nights on the track, meals and accommodation at lodges along the route, and return transfers to Queenstown.

If you would like more information on the Milford Track just fill out our enquiry form or send us an email. Full itineraries and scheduled departure dates are available on request.