Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Start
Glade Wharf
End
Sandfly Point
Nearest Town
Te Anau (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus, boat
Summary
The best-known track in NZ, with towering peaks, deep glaciated valleys, rain-
forests, alpine meadows and spectacular waterfalls.
The Milford Track is popular. Popular but still not overrun, despite an annual click-rate of
more than 7000 independent trampers. For this you can thank a regulation system that -
while keeping people moving through in significant volume - still ensures some level of
tranquillity.
During the Milford tramping season, the track can only be walked in one direction, start-
ing from Glade Wharf. You must stay at Clinton Hut the first night, despite it being only one
hour from the start of the track, and you must complete the trip in the prescribed three nights
and four days. This is perfectly acceptable if the weather is kind, but if it goes sour you'll
still have to push on across the alpine Mackinnon Pass and may miss some rather spectacu-
lar views. It's all down to the luck of the draw.
During the Great Walk season, the track is also frequented by guided tramping parties,
who stay at cosy, carpeted lodges with hot showers and proper food. Unsurprisingly, such
trips are in hot demand for soft-core trampers and those with cash to spare. Clever time-
tabling means you may only stumble across them here and there - unless of course, you are
one of them.
Also drawn to the Milford honeypot is a swarm of small aeroplanes that buzz through the
valleys and over the peaks. A scenic flight is undoubtedly a fantastic way to appreciate the
grandeur, and
perhaps
almost as satisfying as walking the track.
Yes, the Milford Track is busy, but it's hardly Piccadilly Circus. And at the end of the day,
this is one of the greatest and most accessible of NZ's wilderness adventures.
