Milford Track Independent Walk

Milford Track New Zealand - 6 Days Queenstown to Quenstown

Highlights and Inclusions

All track transport to the Milford Track
Pre walk briefing
All Milford Track hut bookings and fees
Queenstown accommodation for one night before and after the hike
Track map and information
Souvenir track book (rrp NZ$30)
Food, cooking utensils, eating utensils, sleeping bags and warm clothing NOT included
Equipment rental available.

Like the idea of having everything arranged for you but walking independently? Our unguided Milford Track New Zealand Independent Walk gives you more time to enjoy this stunning hiking track, letting you experience this New Zealand "Great Walk" to the full!

Once described as "the finest walk in the world", the Milford Track is one of New Zealand's most popular walks. Visitors planning to walk the track should book a long way in advance as numbers are limited and spaces fill quickly!

There are three Department of Conservation huts along the track through two dense rainforest valleys and over an alpine pass. The Milford Track starts at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishes in Milford Sound. The track may only be walked in one direction, Glade Wharf to Milford Sound, during the booked walking season (late October to late April), with a maximum of 40 independent walkers permitted to start the track each day.

Prior booking is essential - bookings open 1 July for the following summer. Book early to avoid disappointment.

During the summer season there are resident Track Rangers, cold running water in huts, gas for cooking, lighting, heating and flush toilets. Bunkrooms are communal. Mattresses are provided. Walkers must supply all food, cooking utensils, eating utensils, sleeping bags and warm clothing.

During the summer season, this trip is a 4 days/3 nights package from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound. The descent from the MacKinnon Pass to the Arthur Valley and Quintin Hut is quite steep and rocky. No camping is permitted.

Itinerary - Total 54kms Walking

Day 1 Arrive Queenstown

Check in to your accommodation in Queenstown. At 4pm there is a pre-walk briefing at our Queenstown Office.

Day 2 Queenstown to Clinton Hut 1½ hr walking

Travel by coach to Te Anau departing Queenstown at 8am. After a break and time for morning tea, board your ferry for a cruise up Lake Te Anau to the Milford Track jetty at Glade House. From the landing a 1½ hour walk along the Clinton River, takes you to Clinton Hut where you will spend the night.

Day 3 Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut 5-6 hrs walking
Today your walk follows the Clinton River, climbing gently through a gorge to the upper flats of the Clinton to reach at Lake Mintaro, the source of the Clinton River. Mintaro Hut is situated located here at the base of the Mackinnon Pass.

Day 4 Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut 6 hrs walking
After breakfast the track continues up the valley to cross the head of the Clinton and then climbs a well graded zig-zag to the top of the McKinnon Pass, with magnificent views of Clinton Valley, and north towards Milford Sound. This is the highest point on the track, 1073 metres.

From here you drop steadily down to Dumpling Hut. On the way down you can take an optional side detour of 2kms to see the Sutherland Falls, before carrying on to Dumpling Hut.

Day 5 Dumpling Hut to Queenstown 5½ hrs walking
This morning, you follow the Arthur River to Lake Ada and onto the track end at Sandfly Point. On the way down, stop to admire Mackay Falls and Bell Rock, an unusual rock which has been worn by water and rocks to form a hollow interior.

From here the launch will transfer you to Milford Sound where you will board your coach for the journey back to Queenstown arriving around 8pm. Accommodation is provided in Queenstown.

Day 6 Depart Queenstown

This morning you will check out of your Queenstown accommodation.

Note: Extra night's accommodation are available in Queenstown before and after your tour, prices are available on request.

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Booking Conditions

Detailed Itinerary

Tour Grading: Medium

The Milford Track is not an easy walk.
The track takes 4 days to complete with around 6 hours of walking per day.
In places, the track is rocky and uneven, and at 1073m the McKinnon Pass can be covered in snow at any time of year.
The Milford Track's rainfall is one of the heaviest in the world - occasionally in excess of 500 mm in 24 hours.
Heavy rainfall, driving winds and snow in summer can rapidly create conditions that could hypothermia.
Some hiking experience and understanding of New Zealand bush and alpine is recommended.

Departure Dates

Daily departures 27 October 2010 to 26 April 2011

Arrive: Queenstown (afternoon)

Finish: Queenstown (morning)

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Please advise pre-post accommodation required.

Tour Prices (2010-11)

Cost per person (twin)
Black Sheep	NZ$740
Blue Peaks Lodge	NZ$790
Garden Court Suites & Apts	NZ$810
Copthorne Lakefront Resort	NZ$840
Mercure Grand St Moritz	NZ$880
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Prices quoted are on a twin share basis, and a single supplement applies. Extra night's accommodation prices available on request.
Black Sheep - Backpackers, 2 mins walk from town centre Blue Peaks - Motel, 5 mins walk to town Garden Court - Motel, 5 mins walk to town Copthorne - 4 star Hotel, 5 mins walk to town Mercure Grand St Moritz - 5 star apartment hotel, 5 mins to town
As demand for accommodation over the Xmas & New Year period is at a premium, an accommodation surcharge is likely to apply if accommodation is available.