The Milford Track is one of the Great Walks in New Zealand and one of the best walks or hiking trails in the world. Here are some tips and answers to your questions to help you plan your walk on the Milford Track.
Hiking the Milford can be done by anyone in decent physical shape, but you need to be fully aware of what you are getting into. It can be walked with kids, as we did, but just make sure you are prepared. These Milford Track FAQ are answers to some of the frequently asked questions to help you plan and prepare for this incredible hike.
Milford Track FAQ And Logistics
You must book the track well in advance through the Department of Conservation website. Hut tickets become available in Junefor the next Great Walk season.
You can fly into Queenstown and take a bus to Glade Wharf or Te Anau.
Hut tickets must be picked up at the DOC office in Te Anau. You can either stay in Te Anau and pick up your tickets or take the early bus from Queenstown, which will stop at the DOC office and pick up your tickets that day.
The trail starts from Glade Wharf and ends at Sandfly Point. The only way to get to the start and from the end of the trail is by boat!
All of the following must be booked ahead of time and are listed in order of importance and where you can book them:
- Huts – DOC;
- Boat from Te Anau Downs to start track- DOC;
- Boat from Sandfly point to Milford Sound at end of track – DOC;
- Bus to Te Anau Downs (where the boat departs to start trail) from either Queenstown or Te Anau (unless you have your own car, which you can park at Te Anau downs) – Tracknet or other;
- Bus from Milford Sound to wherever you want to go when you finish, such as Te Anau Downs (to pick up your car), Te Anau or Queenstown – Tracknet or other.
Milford Track FAQ
Is It OK To Do This Walk With Kids?
This is an interesting question. My short answer is yes, but I want to explain a bit more about hiking the Milford with kids. You can read about our experience hiking the Milford Track with kids here.
We did the walk with our kids when they were 8 and 10 years old, which we shouldn’t have done. They had done a lot of day and multi-day hikes before it and are strong hikers, so we weren’t worried about the distance for them and they ended up fine.
On the walk we met two other families with kids, aged between 12 and 16. All of those kids had also done previous hiking and had a fun time.
DOC recommends that this hike is not suitable for children under 10. After our adventure on the Milford I fully understand why they have that recommendation. Read about our adventure on the Milford here.
It turns out that the age limit of 10 is a good thing. It rains a lot in the Milford Sound and our last two days were in a deluge. It rained so much that the rivers rose and lots of side creeks were swollen, causing us to wade or jump across them. That part was super sketchy, but worked out. That part was challenging for adults, let alone young kids.
How Do You Book This Trip?
If you want to walk it as an independent walker (without a guide) you can book the huts and boats through the DOC website.
Or you can do a google search for Milford Track and find many companies that will take you on a guided walk.
Do You Have To Plan Far Ahead Of Time?
You don’t have to plan far ahead of time if your willing to pay a lot of money to join a guided hike.
However, if you want to do like we did and be an independent walker then you need to plan ahead. During the Great Walk season (October 25 – May 3) the huts fill up quickly, like almost a year in advance! There are only 40 bunks at the huts, so only 40 independent walkers can start each day. Bookings for the next season become available starting in June.
Can You Camp Along The Milford Track?
No. You can’t bring along a tent and camp. This is one of the premiere walks in New Zealand and it is very regulated. You can only stay in huts at night. In fact, you have to take a boat to even get to the trailhead or back to your car at the end and you can’t get on that boat without your hut tickets.
What Amenities Are At The Huts?
During the Great Walk season the huts are really set up with a lot of stuff, meaning you have less to carry yourself. They have mattresses, so all you need to bring is a sleeping bag. Best of all, you have a booking at each hut so you are guaranteed a bunk at each hut!
The huts all have multiple gas stoves and drinking water. You will need to bring your own cutlery, pots, plates, and cups.
Each of the huts has sleeping rooms (generally big rooms with lots of bunks), a kitchen area, and common area with a fireplace to stay warm and dry clothes.
My Other Insider Tips
Bring along a small towel, so that at the end of the day you can jump in a river, stream or lake to wash off and feel refreshed. It may be cold, but you will be glad you did it and it’s fun!
You must bring a pack cover for your pack because it rains a lot. Most likely you will get rained on at some point. Many people also put a plastic bag lining the inside of their backpack to ensure their sleeping bag and clothes stay dry.
Bring along jandals, crocs, or other lightweight footwear to wear at the huts each night. You can’t wear your muddy boots inside of the huts.
Make sure that you are prepared for any kind of weather regardless of what time of year you are walking. This is far south in Fjordland National Park and it can be cold, snowy, or rainy any time of year. Bring gloves, a winter hat, a winter coat, and lots of rain gear. We wore our long johns at the huts and used gloves most mornings when we began walking.
Warm liquids are good. Throw in some cup a soups, hot chocolate, or other warm liquids. These are small to carry along, but will help warm you up and revive you along the walk if it is cold and wet.
Be prepared for the sandflies! They can be bad or horrific. Bring along some bug spray and have long pants and shirts to cover up as much of your skin as possible.