Giant Gate Falls Track

This easy Milford Track day walk gives you the classic Giant Gate Falls viewpoint without committing to the full multi-day Great Walk. A water taxi brings you to Sandfly Point, where the track follows lush Fiordland rainforest to a swing bridge across the Arthur River and the falls beyond.

From Sandfly Point, follow the Milford Track south-west through lowland rainforest to the Giant Gate swing bridge, then return the same way. The stored line represents the verified one-way corridor; plan for about 6.8 miles/11 km total out-and-back and around 3 hours, allowing time for the falls, photos and the water-taxi schedule. The mapped one-way corridor is about 5.23 km (3.25 miles), and the route is mostly gentle with short rises rather than a sustained climb.

Giant Gate Falls drops beside the track into the Arthur River valley, with the swing bridge providing the signature viewing and photo spot. Expect mossy beech forest, ferns, abundant rain and a dramatic glacial landscape. The route is part of the Department of Conservation’s Milford Track, so bridges and track conditions can change after heavy weather.

• Access is by water taxi from the Milford Sound/Deepwater Basin side to Sandfly Point; book ahead and confirm the last pickup so you are not stranded.
• The visitor trailhead is Milford Track Trailhead at Sandfly Point. The water-taxi crossing is separate from the walk and is not included in the hiking distance.
• No dogs are allowed on the Great Walk track. Carry rain gear, insect repellent, food and water, and check current DOC access information before departure.

Allow extra time for wet roots, puddles and changing Fiordland weather. The swing bridge and falls are the turnaround landmark; do not continue into the multi-day Milford Track itinerary unless you have the required booking and arrangements. Early light is often best for photographs, but the return boat time matters more than the clock.