Plan and Prepare

Milford Track Multi-Day Summer

Leave From

Te Anau, Te Anau Downs and Queenstown
Return to

Te Anau, Te Anau Downs and Queenstown
Duration

3 Nights / 4 Days
Availbility

24th Oct 2023 - 30th April 2024
Suitable for

Everyone with DOC hut tickets

Milford Track Great Walk, Fiordland New Zealand.webp

The Great Walks season is the best time to experience the Milford Track. From late October to the end of April, the Milford Track, and all of its transport options, are open for business.

Getting to and from the Milford Track can seem confusing. However, with a little prior planning and some local know-how, you can enjoy “the finest walk in the world” without the stress of making sense of transport options.

One of New Zealand's Great Walks, the Milford Track is a spectacular four-day hike traversing through the very best scenery Fiordland offers. The walk begins at Glade Wharf, a 50-minute boat journey from Te Anau Downs and finishes at Sandfly Point, a 10-minute boat journey from Milford Sound.

The Milford Track finishes in a different location from where it starts, so you need to make sure you have a way of getting back from Milford Sound. After four days of hiking through the hills, you’ll be looking forward to putting your feet up, not figuring out a ride home.

We recommend downloading this super handy app to have with you on your hike. It even shows your GPS location so you can see where on the trail you are located while you hike.

Download the Great Hikes App here

Milford Track Water Taxi, Fiordland Outdoors

How does the Milford Track Transport work?

There is a range of Milford Track transport options available to get you to the track and back again.

The fast boat - To access the start of the Milford Track, you will need to travel by water taxi from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf. Fiordland Outdoors Co. offers the fastest boat to the start of the Milford Track. Taking just 50 minutes to get you across the lake from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf, you’ll arrive before the last big boatload of hikers reaches the track. You’ll enjoy a quieter 1.5-hour walk to Clinton Hut, and arriving earlier means you can secure your bunk of choice at the hut.

Car relocation - What could be better than the welcoming sight of your vehicle waiting for you when you finish your big walk? Transport packages include car relocation from Te Anau Downs to Milford Sound and a water taxi to the start of the track.

Bus transport - Bus services connect with boat transfers at the start and end of Milford Track. Regular daily buses depart from Te Anau or Queenstown for Milford Sound during the summer season.

All of these booking options can be arranged with us, making it possible to get your entire Milford Track transport sorted in one booking.

Why should you book with us?

Highlights

Your track transport is done in one, easy booking – water taxi to the track, vehicle relocation, or return bus to Te Anau or Queenstown

The best boat times to the Milford Track. Get to Glade Wharf and the first hut before the last boatload of hikers arrive (so you can have a quieter start to your hike and choose your bed)

Help planning your transport. It can be confusing if you have been tasked with planning for your group! We explain all the options and help you book a package best suited to your plans

No risk booking with our 24-hour cancellation policy

Help adding all the extras: Flights from Milford back to Queenstown to skip the bus ride, Milford Sound Cruises, Accommodation, Activities and more!

FAQs

Does your water taxi depart every day?: Yes, our water taxi departs every day from Te Anau Downs for the Milford Track. If for any reason we can't offer this service we will re-book you at the same time and at the same price - don't worry we will look after you, in fact, we go out of our way!
Is there free vehicle parking available at Te Anau Downs?: Yes, there is limited free parking available at Te Anau Downs, 25 mins drive from Te Anau towards Milford Sound. We don't often hear of any security issues although we don't recommend leaving any valuables behind.
Can I book now and pay later?: Absolutely. We know it's a big hit paying for your hut tickets and transport in one go. Get in touch with us and we can book you in and you can pay later.
I am organising a group of people, can you help?: Absolutely, it's tough being group organiser! Call us and we will do the legwork for you and help you find the best solution that suits everyone. We can also handle all the payments from everyone so you don't have to.
Do you offer on-demand, flexible departure times?: Yes we can! Get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Can you skip a hut in the Great Walks Season on the Milford Track?: No, you have to physically stay at all 3 DOC huts on the Milford Track in the Great Walks season. The DOC do not allow you to go onto the track a day later and skip a hut.
Does our transport operate on public holidays?: Yes we operate every day during the Great Walks season on the same schedule and same great service:)
What time do I need to meet the boat at Sandfly Point?: Our Milford Water Taxi operates back and forth frequently between 12.30pm – 4pm so there is no set time you need to book in. If you are meeting the 2.30pm return bus, you will need to be at Sandfly Point no later than 2pm.
I am worried about missing the 230pm return bus from Milford, do you have a later option?: It is approximately 18km from Dumpling Hut out to Sandfly Point on your last day. It is quite an easy last day of hiking and almost everyone is off the track by 2pm in time for the 2.30pm bus. However, if you prefer more time to take a cruise after etc (and are only returning to Te Anau), we can change this to the later 5pm bus for you. We just need to make this change prior to you starting your hike, you can't change on the day.
I want to take a Milford Sound Cruise after completing the Milford Track. Do I have time to include this before returning by bus?: We can book for you the 2.45pm Cruise before returning back to Te Anau on the 5pm bus. If you are returning to Queenstown however, you will need to meet the 2.30pm bus. Speak to us about the possibility of an earlier, 12pm pickup from Sandfly Point for you to meet a 12.45pm Cruise, before your bus return. This is a very tight turnaround and only recommended for fit and fast walkers.
If I am planning on hiking over Dore Pass, do I need to pre-book the Sandfly Point water taxi?: YES! You need to pre-book the Sandfly Point water taxi so we know to expect you. If you turn up, we can't guarantee we will be there. Expect to pay $100 per person if you decide to just 'turn up' on the day. If you are planning on camping on the track, please be aware that if you are caught by the DOC, there are very large fines so please do not attempt this.