Plan and prepare MILFORD TRACK

Duration: 4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 53.5 kmkm (one(one way)way) 2329 October 20182019 – 30 April 20192020 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: Clinton 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 Great Walks spend the first night. There pass through changing vegetation as you season (29 October 2019 is an impressive glow-worm climb higher towards Mintaro Hut. – 30 April 2020). 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.

COVER: Giant Gate Falls, Graham Dainty Duration: 4 days Distance: 53.5 km (one way) ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Beech forest, Graham Dainty; Clinton Valley, Daniel Deans; Great Walks season: Makinnon Pass, stokedforsaturday.com; 29 October 2019 – Mackay Falls, Rob Suisted 30 April 2020 MAIN PHOTO: Mackinnon Pass, John Strother (panafoot.com) 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. Highlights 1

Air New Zealand partners with the Department of Conservation to help bring native birds Photo: Sabine Bernert back to the beautiful Great Walks. 2

Conservation story 1 Keep an eye out for the rare blue duck/whio. Once widespread around New Zealand, the introduction of predators drastically reduced Photo: John Strother (panafoot.com) their numbers and they are now only found in a few locations. Predator control programmes supported by Air New Zealand and Genesis have doubled the number of stoat traps and 3 4 increased possum and rat control over an extra 8500 hectares around the Milford Track. This has allowed whio to return to the area, along with other native birds.

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 to see Sutherland Falls, which drop Photo: John Strother 580 metres (1904 feet) from Lake Quill. (panafoot.com) Photo: Shellie Evans 4 In the alpine section of the Milford Track you will be in for a special treat between November and February. Flowering plants 5 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. ABEL TASMAN COAST TRACK

HEAPHY TRACK Takaka

Motueka

Karamea NELSON Nelson Picton Visitor Centre Wakefield

BLENHEIM

Westport Murchison St Arnaud Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Llawrenny Peaks 1925m Barren Peak Visitor Centre 1767m Milford Sound 1944m / Piopiotahi

C a Punakaiki Reefton m Paparoa National Getting there Terror Peak p O Park Visitor Centre C v le dda 1786m Devils Armchair e u R iver n

The Milford Track is accessed by boat C " Sandfly Point Shelter r "

e e r L S from Te Anau Downs, 27 km from k e I L 33 iv H Kaikoura R N r W Sheerdown Peak Te Anau on SH94. Giant Gate Greymouthu O th D Mount Danger r R 1878m 32 A E Hanmer Springs 1825m Falls Shelter E  The track starts at Glade Wharf H S

P M 31 994 at the head of Lake Te Anau. o " Kumara a s a d u c e Odyssey Peak a k i A n d A Take a bus or private transport a Hokitika o 30 e e y 1821m S n k T li a o p C T C C L r to Te Anau Downs (30 minutes), r r ee e e k D e e Lady of the Snows k Mount Ada i k then a boat trip to the head of a 29 1818m m 1881m Arthur’s Pass National o Mackay 28 Access Peak n Park Visitor Centre Lake Te Anau (1 hour 15 minutes). d Falls 27 1865m C Lake r n J e row o e  The track finishes at Sandfly Point. e "26 B s River Mount McPherson k 1931m Take a boat trip (20 minutes) to Milford 25 er iv Sound/Piopiotahi, where there are R W t Oxford I C K bo Rangiora M al bus services back to Te Anau and O U T 24 N Kaiapoi Franz Josef/Waiau T A Homer on to Queenstown. I N Westland Tai Poutini S Lloyd Peak Dumpling Hill National Park Visitor Centre Tunnel Dumpling 23 Mount Kepka During the Great Walks season 1962m CHRISTCHURCH " 1781m Hut Ōtautahi/Christchurch Visitor Centre (29 October 2019 – 30 April 2020), there are 22 Mount Gendarme Mount Elliot Methven 1990m 1931m regular transport services to and from the . Quintin Shelter Mount Wilmur 21 Aoraki/Mount1710m Cook track, which must be booked in advance S Akaroa " Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park u "18 AVisitornd eCentrersons Cascade Shelter r p – you can use the link in your hut booking Mount Mitchelson r 20 19 is Haast 17 Mount Balloon ASHBURTONe Mount Park Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre 1936m C confirmation to book your transport. re " Mackinnon Pass Shelter e Sutherland 16 k Falls 15 Lake 14 " Mintaro Hut

Geraldine

1749m n Quill Fairlie r

1782m u

13 B

Couloir Peak 1891m e

Fiordland l

Temuka a

e Twizel N 0 25 50 km Makaroa 1876m 12 National Park Bus Stop Shelter TIMARU 1713m (no toilet) 11 1729m " 33 As a tribute Barrier Peak Castle Mount 10 " Prarie Shelter to the long 1982m 2122m history of the Milford C C as lin Track, distances are often tle 9 to Mount Anau R n Waimate Milford Sound Wanaka i Kurow R still referred to in miles ve iv 1956m Tititea/Mount" AspiringGreat Walk hut r er 1800m 8 rather than kilometres. ROUTEBURN National Park Visitor Centre MILFORD TRACK TRACK Markers positioned every " Shelter and toilet " 7 Glenorchy 1869m mile are a handy reference 1720m Arrowtown P 6 to track your progress. r o Toilet k "s 5 e 1729m p Cromwell e e QUEENSTOWN r OAMARU c

C t " Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ Mile marker Ranfurly 4 C s

Queenstown Visitor Centre r u e n Clyde i e Great Walk

k m r 3 Alexandrae

TramT ping track

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e Clinton Hut "

Boat transport r 1774m 2 C

orsley SreaSmtate Highway n 1 KEPLER W e Palmerston " TE ANAU e TRACK Other roads u Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland Q c National Park Visitor Centre M Waikouaiti 0 17310mKm " ¯ Glade Wharf Mossburn Lake Te Anau 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 (29 October 2019 – 30 April 2020) Kaka Point to avoid disappointment.Riverton/ Camping is not permitted on the Milford Track. Aparima INVERCARGILL Milford Track During the Great Walks season the huts Great Walk huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, New Zealand rate basic cooking facilities, solar-powered $70 per adultR AperKIUR night;A TRACK 17 years lighting and cold running water. A DOC and under free (booking required). ranger is in residence. The huts do not Oban provide cooking utensils or showers. StewartInternational Island/ rate Rakiura National Park Rakiura Visitor Centre $140 per person per night for Outside the Great Walks season facilities all ages (booking required). are greatly reduced and there are no DOC rangers. Booking is not required, huts Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) are first come, first served and fees are reduced. See the DOC website for details. What do I do next? Know before you go Start off at greatwalks. It is important to plan your trip you should always carry a rain co.nz/milford 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 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 New Zealand weather is You can find more information on and changeable weather at very changeable. Even if it’s safety at www.doc.govt.nz/safety or greatwalks.co.nz/milford. summer or the forecast is good, www.adventuresmart.nz.

Safety on the Milford Track Visit the closest DOC Visitor Great Walks season: 29 October 2019 – 30 April 2020 Centre (Te Anau) to pick up your tickets and official  This track is not recommended  Parts 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/GreatWalks. be suitable for all walkers. time of the year. Be prepared for all conditions.  Go to greatwalks.co.nz/milford ‘Know before you go’ section for  The Milford Track is complex detailed safety information, and avalanche terrain and the risk For in-depth ‘What to take’ section for a full of avalanche can extend into 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 greatwalks.co.nz 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: Department of Conservation, Marketing Team DOC is unable to manage any hazards outside the Great Walks season. Bridges PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand are removed, as floods and avalanches occur on these tracks during winter. September 2019 To attempt the track in winter conditions, you need to be very experienced in Editing and design: backcountry winter navigation, have river crossing expertise and appropriate Creative Services, DOC National Office alpine skills and equipment. Hut facilities are greatly reduced – with no cooking gas, limited water and no hut wardens or emergency hut radios. * Prices are accurate at the time of publication. For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ at This publication is produced using paper sourced from

R160827 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. greatwalks.co.nz/milford.