Mackinnon Memorial

Overview

About Mackinnon Memorial

Perched on Omanui/McKinnon Pass, this stone cairn with a cross and plaque marks the high point of the Milford Track and commemorates explorer Quintin McKinnon. It’s a natural milestone where most walkers pause—partly for the history, mostly for the knockout Fiordland scenery.

Why stop

Panoramic alpine views from the Milford Track’s high point
Historic stone cairn and plaque honoring Quintin McKinnon

Heads up

Fully exposed to wind and rapidly changing weather
Only reachable via a steep climb on a multi-day hike

Map

Where it is

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Full map

Historic markerMackinnon Memorial-44.80231, 167.76498

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Mackinnon Memorial

Start the climb early to improve your odds of clear summit views.
Pack warm, waterproof layers—the pass is exposed and weather turns fast.
Use the memorial as a quick photo stop, then keep moving to stay warm.
Secure Milford Track bookings well in advance during summer; spots are capped.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Aim to crest the pass earlier in the day for your best shot at clear views before winds and cloud build. Summer offers longer daylight but also the highest demand for track bookings. For photography, watch for fast‑moving cloud breaks that can light up the valleys.

Getting There

You reach the memorial as part of the Milford Track, typically on day three after a steady, sometimes tough climb to the pass. There’s no road access—this is a mid‑track waypoint, not a trailhead. The Milford Track runs on a booking system with limited spots, especially in summer.

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Fiordland Tour Guide

Your drive to Mackinnon Memorial, narrated.

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Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Fiordland Penguin, Blue Duck, and 13 more
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Guide

More about Mackinnon Memorial

What You’ll SeeThe memorial itself: a prominent stone monument with a commemorative plaque.

The memorial itself: a prominent stone monument with a commemorative plaque.
Big, glacial country all around—steep fiordland peaks and sweeping views down into the Arthur and Clinton Valleys on clear days.
A wild, exposed saddle that often sits in cloud or copes with gusty winds, which only adds to the drama when the views open up.

Conditions to ExpectWeather up here can turn on a dime: rain, wind, sudden temperature drops—even in summer.

Weather up here can turn on a dime: rain, wind, sudden temperature drops—even in summer. The pass is fully exposed with little shelter, so plan on quick photos and a short breather before moving on.

A Bit of HistoryQuintin McKinnon, with Ernest Mitchell, discovered the pass in 1888, opening the route that…

Quintin McKinnon, with Ernest Mitchell, discovered the pass in 1888, opening the route that became the Milford Track. McKinnon later guided travelers and helped establish the track; the memorial honors his pioneering role.

WildlifeThis is alpine country.

This is alpine country. While sightings can be hit‑or‑miss on the exposed pass, the wider Milford Track is known for native birds like kea and rock wren—keep your eyes and ears open as you move between the valleys and the high country.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Fiordland

All Fiordland wildlife maps

1,181 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map

199 sightingsFiordland PenguinMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

228 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

32 sightingsBottlenose DolphinMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

247 sightingsNew Zealand Fur SealMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

58 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Fiordland. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.