Milford Track

Home , Milford Sound (village), Milford Track, Sutherland Falls

Duration: 4 days Great Walks season:season – partially open: Distance: 53.5 kkmm (one(one way)way) 2327 October 20202018 – 3029 AprilNovember 2019 2020 Great Walks season – fully open: 30 November 2020 – 30 April 2021 MILFORD Elevation profile & track guide TRACK 1000 m

Experience the ‘finest walk in the 750 m Bus Stop world’ as you retrace the steps Prairie Shelter of early explorers on the world- Shelter (no toilet) 500 m Clinton Hut renowned Milford Track. 40 bunks Take a journey along valleys Glade 250 m Wharf carved by glaciers, wander through ancient rainforests and 0 m admire cascading waterfalls. You’ll 1 – 1 hr 30 min / 5 km 6 hr / 16.5 km follow a historic route through Fiordland National Park, part of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, before reaching your final destination, the spectacular Milford Sound/Piopiotahi.

The Milford Track can only be walked in one direction. The track Day 1: Glade is well marked and signposted, but Wharf to some sections are steep and rough Clinton Hut Day 2: Cl inton Hut to Mintaro Hut and the track may be muddy and 1 hour – 1 hour 6 hours, 16.5 km slippery. Poor weather conditions can 30 minutes, 5 km A gradual climb follows the Clinton River to make this walk challenging, even in After a boat cruise from its source, Lake Mintaro, at the base of the the Great Walks season. Te Anau Downs (1 hour renowned Mackinnon Pass. Past Hirere Falls This brochure describes a 4-day 15 minutes), take a leisurely you will get your first view of Mackinnon hike for independent, non-guided walk through beautiful Pass and the impressive Pompolona ice field. beech forest along the banks walkers from the head of Lake Te Anau You’ll be dwarfed by the sheer scale of the of the Clinton River to rock walls towering above on either side as to Sandfly Point in Milford Sound/ Clinton Hut, where all hikers you walk up the Clinton valley, and you’ll Piopiotahi during the fully open Great spend the first night. There pass through changing vegetation as you Walks season (30 November 2020 – is an impressive glow-worm climb higher towards Mintaro Hut. 30 April 2021). grotto near the hut and if you’re lucky, you might hear kiwi calling after dark. Outside the Great Walks season (May to October) walking conditions are more hazardous – see the safety information.

Duration: 4 days Distance: 53.5 km (one way)

Great Walks season – partially open: COVER: Mackinnon Pass, John Strother (panafoot.com) 27 October 2020 – 29 November 2020 ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Beech forest, Graham Dainty; Clinton Valley, Daniel Deans; Great Walks season – fully open: Ascending Mackinnon Pass, Keri Moyle (signs of life.co.nz); 30 November 2020 – 30 April 2021 Mackay Falls, Rob Suisted

MAIN PHOTO: Bridge over Arthur River, Kendall DeLyser Mackinnon Pass Shelter shelter hut and toilet toilet

Andersons Cascade Shelter Mintaro Hut 40 bunks

Quintin Shelter

Dumpling Hut Giant Gate 40 bunks Falls Shelter Sandfly Point Shelter

6 – 7 hr / 14 km 5 hr 30 min – 6 hr / 18 km

Day 3: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut Day 4: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point

6–7 hours, 14 km 5 hours 30 minutes – 6 hours, 18 km Climb to Mackinnon Pass and the memorial to explorer Quintin From Dumpling Hut, you’ll follow the Arthur River McKinnon, with exceptional views of Lake Mintaro and the to the historic Boatshed. Further along the track, Clinton Canyon along the way. The memorial is a great place to you reach the dramatic Mackay Falls and intriguing take in the awe-inspiring panoramas, before reaching the highest Bell Rock. Admire the man-made rock cuttings point of the track and Mackinnon Pass Shelter (1154 metres). alongside the Arthur River and Lake Ada, before From here, you’ll drop steadily through an attractive alpine spending the last 3 km on a smooth, wide track garden to the valley floor, passing several waterfalls along the constructed by a prison labour gang between 1890 Roaring Burn River before arriving at Quintin Shelter. On the and 1892. A short boat ride from Sandfly Point will way to Dumpling Hut, if the weather is clear, take a moment to take you to your journey’s end, with world-famous admire Sutherland Falls in the distance. From Quintin Shelter views of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi along the way. you can take a side trip to visit the falls up close. ABEL TASMAN COAST TRACK

HEAPHY TRACK Takaka

Motueka

Karamea NELSON Nelson Picton Visitor Centre Wakeﬁeld

BLENHEIM

Westport Mil Murchison Llawrenny Peaks / Piopiotahiford Sound Barren Peak St Arnaud 1944m 1561m Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

Mount Philipps r r e 1446m i v R ive o R k t i Terror Peak to s Punakaiki Tu n 1786m Reefton a Devils Armchair Getting there r Paparoa National T 1627m Park Visitor Centre "Sandfly Point

The Milford Track is accessed by boat r e Shelter 33 iv Lake R Sheerdown Peak from Te Anau Downs, 27 km from r S Moreton Mount Danger Giant Gate u L 1878m t h IL Kaikoura 1825m 32 Ar H Te Anau on SH94. Falls Shelter Greymouth N r Shoulder Hill W e v Hanmer Springs 1129m 31 O i  The track starts at Glade Wharf " D R R Odyssey Peak u a Lake Steep Hill E 1821m d 30 Lake Ada KumaraE d at the head of Lake Te Anau. 1631m le M H Adelaide a C c S k Hokitika Take a bus or private transport Lady of the Snows a Mount Ada Mount Isolation y 1620m 1818m C 29 1881m r 94 to Te Anau Downs (30 minutes), e

e Access Peak Mount Edgar D 28 k i 1865m 1673m a then a boat trip to the head of m 27 o n Lake Arthur’s Pass National Mount McPherson d Park Visitor Centre Lake Te Anau (1 hour 15 minutes). C "26 Brown Joes River 1931m re ek  The track finishes at Sandfly Point. 25 Te Anau Homer er Take a boat trip (20 minutes) to Milford iv Tunnel t R bo al Sound/Piopiotahi, where there are 24 T Mount Moir Gulliver Peak Lloyd Peak Oxford 1965m Rangiora bus services back to Te Anau and Mount Kepka 1962m 1776m Kaiapoi Dumpling 23 Franz1781m Josef/Waiau Mount Belle on to Queenstown. " 1965m Westland Tai Poutini Hut Su 22 National Park Visitor Centre rpr Cirque Peak i se Basin Peak 1902m During the Great Walks season Mount Pillans C CHRISTCHURCH re 1865m Mount Gendarme 1391m Quintin Shelter e k 1931m Ōtautahi/Christchurch Visitor Centre (27 October 2020 – 30 April 2021), there are 21 W IC Methven " Andersons Cascade K regular transport services to and from the "18 M 20 19 Shelter O Mount Park 17 Aoraki/Mount Cook Mount Mitchelson U track, which must be booked in advance N 2020m Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park 1936m T Akaroa Mackinnon Pass Shelter A Sutherland " Visitor Centre I 16 N – you can use the link in your hut booking 15 Haast Falls S ASHBURTON Awarua/HaastLake Visitor Centre Mintaro Hut Lake confirmation to book your transport. Mount Hart 14 " Quill 1769m Iceburg 13

Geraldine Fairlie 12 Fiordland Bus Stop Shelter Temuka Twizel11 n 0 25 50 km Makaroa (No toilet) r National Park u " B Pariroa/Castle Mount C l Barrier Peak i e 10 n l 2122m TIMARUt 1982m Prairie Shelter o a " n e Mount Fisher R N C i a 1869m v st e Mount AnauAs a tribute le 9 C r 33 l N Ri in 1956m to the long v t o e o r n r R t 8 i h history of the Milford ve r B

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e anc Track, distances are often Great Walk hut st " 7 WaimateBr a

Milford Sound " h Wanaka Kurow nc still referred to in miles Tititea/Mount Aspiring h 6 rather than kilometres. ROUTEBURN National" ShelterPark Visitor Centre 5 MILFORD TRACK TRACK MarkersLake positioned every Glenorchy Toilet (toilets are also Cl Ross " i mile are a handy reference 4 n " available at all huts to n to track your progress. Arrowtown and shelters) R iv e # Mile marker 3 r QUEENSTOWN Cromwell OAMARU Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ Great Walk Ranfurly Clinton Hut " Queenstown Visitor Centre 2 ClydeTramping track 1 BoatAlexandra transport State highway

W Glade Wharf or sle KEPLER 0 1 km y S Palmerston TE ANAU tr ¯ ea TRACK Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland m Lake Te Anau National Park Visitor Centre Waikouaiti

Mossburn Lumsden The map in this brochure is a guide only and should not be used for navigational purposes. DUNEDIN Fairﬁeld Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre Dipton Places to stay GORE Milton

Winton DOC operates 3 huts on the Milford Track.Mataura These must be bookedBalclutha well in advance during the Great Walks season (27 October 2020 – 30 April 2021) Kaka Point to avoid disappointment.Riverton/ Camping is not permitted on the Milford Track. Aparima INVERCARGILL Milford Track A DOC ranger is in residence. The huts do Great Walk huts not provide cooking utensils or showers. Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ Outside the Great Walks season facilities milfordtrackRA forKIUR prices.A TRACK are greatly reduced and there are no DOC rangers. Booking is not required, huts During the Great Walks seasonOban the huts Stewart Island/ Rakiura National Park are first come, first served and fees are have bunks,Rakiura mattresses, heating,Visitor Centretoilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered reduced. See the DOC website for details. lighting and cold running water. Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) Highlights 1

Air New Zealand partners with the Department of Conservation to bring Photo: James Reardon birdsong back to our Great Walks. 2

Conservation story 1 You may hear the northern Fiordland tokoeka (southern brown kiwi) along the Milford Track. These kiwi are in decline due to Photo: John Strother (panafoot.com) habitat loss, and predation. DOC and Air New Zealand are working together to control predators in both the Clinton and Arthur valleys. There is now a 3 4 trapping network covering over 9,330 hectares alongside the Milford Track area. With DOC and Air New Zealand working alongside iwi and other partners, bird numbers in both the Clinton and Arthur valleys are increasing.

2 Take your camera to capture the stunning panoramas from Mackinnon Pass across ancient valleys carved by glaciers. 3 Fiordland’s many streams, rivers and waterfalls are especially spectacular after rainfall. Take a side trip from Quintin Shelter Photo: John Strother to see Sutherland Falls, which drop (panafoot.com) Photo: Shellie Evans 580 metres (1904 feet) from Lake Quill. 4 In the alpine section of the Milford Track you will be in for a special treat between 5 November and February. Flowering plants such as the Mount Cook buttercup, mountain daisy and the dainty gentian almost steal the show from the expansive vistas. 5 Enjoy the emerald waters of the Clinton River. Even when it is metres deep, the crystal-clear water allows you to see every stone on the bottom and admire trout or native Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) longfin eel/tuna cruising the deep pools. What do I do next? Know before you go Start off at www.doc.govt. It is important to plan your trip you should always carry a rain nz/milfordtrack for more thoroughly to make sure you stay safe. jacket and warm clothing. information. Before you go, know the Outdoor Check metservice.com for Safety Code – 5 simple rules to help the most up-to-date forecast. you #MakeItHomeNZ. 4. Know your limits. A good level of Book your huts online at BOOK 1. Plan your trip. Choose a trip fitness is needed to walk the track. bookings.doc.govt.nz. that fits your abilities. Make sure Read about the track carefully to you have enough time to do make sure it suits your abilities. Book your transport to and your walk, plus extra time. Always follow the track markers from the track. Book accommodation, transport and signposted tracks – going and transfers to the start/end off-track can be hazardous, even of the track early. for experienced walkers. Don’t be afraid to turn back. Buy your food and pack your 2. Tell someone your plans. bags – download the Great Tell someone where you are going 5. Take sufficient supplies. Walks packing list and make and when you’ll be back. Ask them Take the right gear, including sure you have everything you to call emergency services if you extra food, clothing and equipment need for a 4-day independent haven’t returned on time. Consider in case something goes wrong. unguided walk. carrying a personal locator beacon, You’ll have to carry everything as there is no cellphone reception you need, as you can’t buy food on most tracks. or equipment at Great Walks Read up on safety and huts or campsites. make sure you’re well 3. Be aware of the weather. prepared for your journey and New Zealand weather is You can find more information on changeable weather at www. very changeable. Even if it’s safety at www.doc.govt.nz/safety or doc.govt.nz/milfordtrack. summer or the forecast is good, www.adventuresmart.nz.

Safety on the Milford Track Visit the closest DOC Visitor Great Walks season: 27 October 2020 – 30 April 2021 Centre (Te Anau) to pick up your tickets and official  This track is not recommended  P arts of the Milford Track track guide, and chat with for children under the age of 10, are exposed, steep, slippery, the friendly staff for the latest due to the exposed mountain rough and muddy. On the third weather forecast and track environment and weather that day you will climb over 500 m conditions. can change very quickly. to Mackinnon Pass and then descend 1000 m to Dumpling  Fiordland National Park lies Hut. On the fourth day you must in an area with high rainfall All set! Lace up your boots walk 18 km, reaching Sandfly and changeable weather. Cold and get hiking. Don’t forget Point in time to meet the early temperatures, snow, strong winds to share your experience on afternoon boat. The track will not and heavy rain can occur at any facebook.com/docgovtnz. be suitable for all walkers. time of the year. Be prepared for all conditions.  Go to www.doc.govt.nz/ ‘Know before you  The Milford Track is complex milfordtrack go’ section for detailed safety avalanche terrain and the risk For in-depth information, and ‘What to take’ of avalanche can extend into section for a full gear list. local knowledge, visit: December. During the Great Fiordland National Park Walks season, DOC manages Remember – your safety is Visitor Centre this risk to a low level. Walkers your responsibility Phone: +64 3 249 7924 may be flown (at their cost) over Email: greatwalksbooking dangerous sections. @doc.govt.nz www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks You are strongly recommended NOT to attempt this track between early May and late October (outside the Great Walks season). The winter environment in Fiordland is very cold and wet, with ice, snow, avalanches and short daylight hours. Published by: DOC is unable to manage any hazards outside the Great Walks season. Bridges Department of Conservation are removed, as floods and avalanches occur on these tracks during winter. PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand October 2020 To attempt the track in winter conditions, you need to be very experienced in backcountry winter navigation, have river crossing expertise and appropriate Editing and design: Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai alpine skills and equipment. Hut facilities are greatly reduced – with no cooking Creative Services, Department of Conservation gas, limited water and no hut wardens or emergency hut radios. For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ at This publication is produced using paper sourced from

R185113 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. www.doc.govt.nz/milfordtrack.