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New Zealand is home to ten Great Walks. Out of those ten, the Milford Track is arguably the most iconic. It is the one which evokes images of cascading waterfalls and lush green peaks in your mind's eye. It's a bucket-list multi-day hike for both New Zealanders and intrepid tourists alike.
Situated in the stunning Fiordland National Park, the Milford Track is 53.5 km (33.2 miles) in length and it will take four days to complete. Starting from Glade Wharf, Lake Te Anau and winding its way to Sandfly Point in Milford Sound, you will encounter nature at its best, a cacophony of colour, sound and scenery so potent it will leave you speechless.
1. Choose wisely what time of year to walk the Milford Track
Fiordland is notorious for its unpredictable weather. Choosing the right time of the year to walk it can save you from some of its extremes. The New Zealand hiking season generally runs from spring through to autumn (October to May). We don't recommend taking it on in winter due to the avalanche and flooding risk.
2. Decide whether to go with a guided group or take it on alone
A big decision when committing to this stunning multi-day hike is whether to DIY it or join a guided group. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Opt to go it alone and it will be less demanding on your wallet, however it won't be less taxing on your brain as you will have to organise all the logistics for yourself. This includes organising your own transportation, accommodation and carrying your own supplies. Do it as part of a guided group and all of this is taken care of for you.
Keep in mind, if you are going to organise it yourself, you will need to book the Milford Track at least a year in advance. A great resource for the independent hiker is the DOC (Department of Conservation) office. There, you will get maps and all the advice you will ever need.
Milford Track is a one way track. That means that if you're not booking onto a guided tour, you'll need to prebook buses from Te Anau and your boat ticket from Sandfly Point back to Milford.
3. Get ready to experience backcountry huts in all their glory
No multi-day walk in New Zealand would be complete without a night in a backcountry hut. You'll spend three nights sleeping in DOC huts (shelters made for hikers out in the backcountry) while out on your adventure. Freedom camping is not permitted inside Fiordland National Park. The huts along Milford Track are Clinton Hut, Mintaro Hut and Dumpling Hut. They'll fit up to 40 people and have communal kitchens, mattresses to sleep on and usually a log or coal burner. There's electricity which switches off once night falls. What they do not have is showers or blankets so bring a warm change of clothes and your sleeping bag!
4. Pack carefully and carry everything you need!
There are no shops or towns once you set foot on this Great Walk ; you will be completely immersed in nature. This means you will also be totally self-reliant so carry what you need for the duration of the trip. This includes all of your food supplies for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the four days. The good news is there is plenty of water on the track so at least you won't have to lug litres and litres of water around.
Another item for your packing list is a decent waterproof jacket. Fiordland is the wettest place in New Zealand, getting 182 rain days a year on average. On a positive note, rainfall makes Milford even more beautiful, if that's even possible! As long as you come prepared, it should not hinder your enjoyment of this natural nirvana in the slightest.
On a side note, if you are familiar with New Zealand, you may have heard of those pesky blighters known as sandflies. According to Maori legend, the gods who created this stunning haven worried that it was so beautiful that humans would never leave. To stop that from happening, they introduced sandflies to the area! They are not poisonous but they do bite so make sure to pack insect repellent!
You'll need roughly a 60 litre backpack to carry all of your supplies. Between your food, sleeping bag, cooking utensils and toiletries, there is a lot of stuff involved in being self-sufficient!
5. Have your camera ready!
Milford Track is one of the most beautiful tracks in the world, so have your camera (and plenty of spare batteries) ready at all times. The closer you get to Milford Sound itself, the more stunning the scenery becomes. Day three is a particular highlight. You'll hike over the Mackinnon Pass and enjoy insane views of the valley below with its endless jagged peaks. You'll feel like you are in another world! A particular highlight on the descent is the 580 metre (1904ft) Sutherland Falls, one of New Zealand's highest waterfalls. On your final day of the trek, you'll enter Milford Sound itself and your jaw will drop in awe. You have reached paradise.
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