- 1DOC lists the Milford Track in Fiordland National Park: 53.5 kilometres one way, walked in one direction over 3 nights and 4 days.
- 2It starts on Lake Te Anau and finishes at Sandfly Point on Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, with a boat trip at each end. DOC's four days run 5, 17.5, 13 and 18 kilometres, over Omanui/McKinnon Pass (1154 metres) on day 3.
- 3DOC says there are three huts, which must be booked well in advance in the Great Walks season, and camping is not permitted.
- 4DOC gives the 2026/27 Great Walks season as 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. Outside it, DOC says the track is only for fit, experienced, well equipped people with alpine, river crossing and navigation skills.
01 / Start with the walk
What is the Milford Track?
A one way walk of 53.5 kilometres in Fiordland National Park, from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound, over 3 nights and 4 days.
DOC lists the Milford Track in Fiordland National Park, in the Fiordland region, and gives it as 53.5 kilometres one way, walked over 4 days. It can only be walked in one direction, over 3 nights and 4 days: you start on Lake Te Anau and finish at Sandfly Point on Milford Sound. DOC says there are three huts on the track and that camping is not permitted. Everything in this guide comes from DOC. It gives no hut fees, prices or availability: check those with DOC when you plan.
02 / At a glance
What are the key figures?
53.5 kilometres, one direction, three huts, and a boat at each end. The season dates below are for 2026/27 only.
| Topic | What DOC says | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 53.5 kilometres one way | Walked over 4 days |
| Highest point | Omanui/McKinnon Pass Shelter | 1154 metres, crossed on day 3 |
| Direction and time | One direction only | 3 nights and 4 days |
| Hut size | Clinton, Mintaro and Dumpling huts | 40 bunk beds each |
| Huts | Three huts, booked well in advance in the Great Walks season | Camping is not permitted |
| Great Walks season 2026/27 | 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 | Last departure 28 April 2027 |
| Children | Not recommended under 10 | Exposed mountain environment and often adverse weather |
| Phone coverage | No cellphone coverage | On the Milford Track |
03 / Getting there and back
How do I reach the start and get back from the finish?
A bus or car to Te Anau Downs, a boat to Glade Wharf, the walk itself, then a boat from Sandfly Point to Milford Sound and a bus back.
- 01Start at the park visitor centre if you need advice.
DOC lists the Te Rua-o-te-moko Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre at 1 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau.
- 02Te Anau to Te Anau Downs.
DOC says to take a bus or private transport from Te Anau to Te Anau Downs, which takes 30 minutes.
- 03Boat to Glade Wharf.
A boat trip to Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau takes 1 hour 15 minutes, according to DOC.
- 04Walk the track.
One direction only, over 3 nights and 4 days.
- 05Boat from Sandfly Point.
The track finishes at Sandfly Point, and DOC says a 20 minute boat trip takes you to Milford Sound Piopiotahi.
- 06Bus back.
DOC says there are bus services from Milford Sound back to Te Anau and on to Queenstown.
Walk part of the track in a day
A day walk on the Milford Track, not the four day walk. It starts in Te Anau and, by its own listing, adds a cruise on the fiord and a water taxi to Sandfly Point for a walk on the track to Giant Gate Falls.
04 / Day by day
What does each day of the Milford Track involve?
Four days of 5, 17.5, 13 and 18 kilometres, with the climb over Omanui/McKinnon Pass on day 3, by DOC's track description.
- 01Day 1: Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut.
DOC gives 5 kilometres and 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes, after the boat from Te Anau Downs.
- 02Day 2: Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut.
DOC gives 17.5 kilometres and 6 hours.
- 03Day 3: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut, over the pass.
DOC gives 13 kilometres and 6 to 7 hours over Omanui/McKinnon Pass. The pass shelter, at 1154 metres, is the highest point of the track.
- 04Day 3 side trip: Sutherland Falls.
DOC says the side trip takes 1 hour 30 minutes return, and the falls drop 580 metres in 3 leaps from Lake Quill.
- 05Day 4: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point.
DOC gives 18 kilometres and 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours, then the boat to Milford Sound.
05 / The huts
What are the Milford Track huts like?
Three DOC huts of 40 bunks each, with heating, toilets and basic cooking facilities, but no cooking utensils or showers.
From DOC's Milford Track description. It gives no hut fees or availability: check those with DOC when you plan.
What is there
What to bring
Water
Clean boots
06 / Who it suits
Is the Milford Track right for me?
DOC does not recommend it for children under 10, and outside the Great Walks season it is only for experienced walkers with alpine, river crossing and navigation skills.
Each point is from DOC's Milford Track page.
- Children.
The track is not recommended for children under 10, because of the exposed mountain environment and often adverse weather.
- Outside the Great Walks season.
The track should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people with alpine, river crossing and navigation skills.
- Booking.
The three huts must be booked well in advance during the Great Walks season.
Not sure the Milford Track suits you?
Our guide to the Kepler, Routeburn and Hollyford tracks sets DOC's three other multi-day tracks side by side, with the Milford Track for comparison.
07 / Weather and safety
What weather should I prepare for?
Very high rainfall and changeable conditions in any month, and no cellphone coverage on the track.
What DOC says about conditions in Fiordland National Park.
- Rain.
DOC says Fiordland National Park experiences very high rainfall, up to 9000 millimetres a year.
- Changeable weather.
DOC says cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year, so prepare for all conditions.
- No coverage.
DOC says there is no cellphone coverage on the Milford Track.