The Milford Track - One Day Experience
If you’ve been wanting to do the Milford Track great walk, but…..
a. You haven’t had the time for the whole thing
b. You haven’t the skills
c. You haven’t been able to secure a spot
d. You don’t want to drag the kids on a 4 day hike
…then read on as this blog is for you!
You may have heard of the famous 4 day great walk in New Zealand - The Milford Track. Have you heard that it’s also now possible to experience a part of this track without having to do the whole thing? Through Fiordland Outdoors you can now take a water taxi to and from the end point of the Milford track to do an independent one day hike and get a little taste of what this great walk is all about.
Why we loved this experience so much + why we think
you will too!
The independence to wander around a part of Fiordland we hadn’t seen before. (Fiordland Outdoors Milford Track Water Taxi is the only way for independent walkers to access the Milford Track for a Milford Sound day walk)
The Giant Gates Falls. The perfect turnaround spot and a great place to have your picnic lunch and go for a dip in the STUNNING blue waters.
The lack of planning involved. Set aside a day during your Fiordland adventures for the hike, book your taxi and away you go!
It’s only one day! We love a multi day hike but carrying around a crap tonne of gear for days on end isn’t everyone’s idea of fun.
We always struggle getting a booking on the Milford track (it sells out fast) so having this experience for those who miss out is incredible.
In less than a 10-minute boat ride, you have access to an area that normally takes three days to hike to.
It was a super easy walk.
The scenes!!! Enjoy the bush walk through rimu and beech trees. Witness the mountains towering above as you get gaps in the bush. The birds! The sound the sight, all of it. Magical.
The highlight of the Milford Track day walk is definitely Giant Gate Falls sitting at around 30 metres tall! These powerfall falls are one of the main reasons we would choose to come back and do this hike.
How to walk the track + helpful tips.
Book here through Fiordland Outdoors. You’ll catch their Milford Track Water Taxi from Deepwater Basin in Milford Sound to Sandfly Point to access the Milford Track. The departing times are between 8:30-10:30am so our advice would be to book a night stay at the Milford Sound lodge the night before or if you’re travelling in a camper stay at one of the DOC sites. This will save you driving to far in the morning before you start the hike. Honestly, we loved having the lodge booked for the evening we finished the walk. Although the day walk isn’t overly strenuous, it was nice to be able to finish, enjoy a beer, then continue exploring the foreshore with no time frames.
There is free parking at Deepwater Basin.
Organise with the water taxi driver exact pickup time when they drop you off. You will have about 4 hours to wander the 11km return to the falls and back with plenty of time to stop as much as you’d like.
There a toilets at Sandfly Point if you need to go before you start.
When you get to Sandfly Point there is a hut and hiking boot cleaning station. Go straight through and continue on the track ahead.
Bring insect repellant!!
Bring swimmers just in case!
Check the weather……If you’re not familiar with Fiordland this place is pretty wild and isn’t a place you want to get caught unprepared.
An incredible activity to do while you’re in Milford Sound and perfect for anyone who wants to see more of Fiordland! If you’ve been thinking of booking in the full 4-day Milford Track hike but just haven’t got to it yet, this may just give you the encouragement you need to come back and do the full experience.
More on the blog:
A full guide to travelling Milford Sound
Where to camp in Milford Sound?
Best waterfalls in the Catlins you need to visit!