Parking
Park at Te Anau Downs boat terminal and take the boat to Glade Wharf; finish with a short water taxi from Sandfly Point to Milford Sound.
Overview
About Milford Track
Why go
- Boat‑only access and one‑way flow keep the track feeling quiet
- Sutherland Falls side trip elevates the pass day from great to unforgettable
- Birdlife is richer than many NZ forests thanks to the area’s isolation
Heads up
- No camping allowed; hut bookings are mandatory and sell out fast
- High rainfall makes sections muddy, slick, and slower than the map suggests
- Boat logistics at both ends add cost and scheduling complexity
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Fiordland map
Full mapElevation31–1,033 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Fiordland Tour Guide
Your drive to Milford Track, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Fiordland National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Fiordland audio tourMore stories near here in the app
- Honeydew on the Beeches: Fiordland’s Hidden Food Web
- Dore Pass: A Backdoor to the Milford Track
- Upper Eglinton Campsite: A Base for Hikers
- Tītitipounamu/Rifleman: Fiordland’s Thumb‑Sized Tree‑Climber
- 126 audio storiesacross Fiordland’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Fiordland Penguin, Blue Duck, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 68 trails, 124 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Milford Track
What to expectA four‑day, 33.2‑mile (53.
A four‑day, 33.2‑mile (53.5 km) point‑to‑point journey from Glade Wharf on Lake Te Anau to Sandfly Point on Milford Sound. You’ll follow the emerald Clinton River through deep, mossy rainforest, climb to Omanui/McKinnon Pass (1,154 m) for sweeping glacier‑carved valley views, then descend past thunderous cascades toward the coast. It’s classic Fiordland: wet, wild, and ridiculously beautiful, with swing bridges, boardwalks, and sections that can be rough and slippery after rain.
Highlights along the wayExpect lush temperate rainforest alive with native birds (look for kea, South Island robins,…
Expect lush temperate rainforest alive with native birds (look for kea, South Island robins, and fantails), mirror‑still lakes, and sheer granite walls carved by ancient glaciers. Waterfalls steal the show—Hirere Falls on the approach and the must‑do side trip to Sutherland Falls (580 m), New Zealand’s tallest. Views from Omanui/McKinnon Pass are big and dramatic when the weather cooperates—and hauntingly atmospheric when it doesn’t.
Logistics you can’t ignoreThis track runs one way only and feels calmer because daily numbers are capped.
This track runs one way only and feels calmer because daily numbers are capped. Both ends are boat‑accessed: you’re ferried to Glade Wharf to start, and from Sandfly Point it’s a short water taxi to Milford Sound. Independent walkers must book the three Department of Conservation huts (Clinton, Mintaro, Dumpling) in order—there’s no camping. Guided trips add meals, bedding, and transport but still follow the same route. Book early; prime season dates disappear fast.
Difficulty and conditionsThe trail is well marked and generally well maintained, but Fiordland’s famed rainfall means…
The trail is well marked and generally well maintained, but Fiordland’s famed rainfall means you should expect wet boots, mud, and slick rock. The climb to Omanui/McKinnon Pass and the long descent afterward are the crux; the rest is easier valley travel. Good fitness and stable footwear with ankle support make the days more enjoyable. Off‑season (winter) conditions include avalanche danger and unmaintained facilities—don’t plan it then unless you’re very prepared and understand the risks.
Tips from the fieldPack real rain gear and embrace the weather—waterfalls and rivers are most spectacular after…
- Pack real rain gear and embrace the weather—waterfalls and rivers are most spectacular after downpours.
- Do the Sutherland Falls side trip on the pass‑day descent; it’s worth the extra time.
- Carry insect repellent, especially near Sandfly Point.
- Travel light; huts have gas cookers and running cold water, but you’ll carry everything else.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Fiordland
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 mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Fiordland. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
