Milford Track Day Walk
 

Dh & I will be in in Te Anau the week of April 19. Since we're on a tight schedule we unfortunately won't be able to do the entire Milford Track but would like to take a day to do a small part of it. We're having difficulties finding a lake transfer after April 18 that will allow us a day trip. Are there still lake transfers after 4/18 and could anyone suggest one? (We were looking on the Real Journeys website.) Thanks!

We did part of Milford Track from Milford road. If you have a car to pick up the track on the road that would best. We considered doing part of the track across the lake but were advised by the tourist bureau in Te Anau that this part of the track is quite boring and was not recommended for a day walk.

Z

ZfromWinnipeg - I'm not sure how you walked part of the track from the road as the track begins at Glade Wharf (on the other side of Lake Te Anau) and ends at Sandfly Point, which is also only accessible by boat. Perhaps you're thinking of the Routeburn Track, which IS accessible from Milford Road?

Angela, unfortunately the boat to Glade Wharf only operates during the season from approximately October 31- April 18. It might be possible to find an individual who owns a boat who could take you out there, but I sort of doubt it. You might give the Te Anau visitor's center a call to see if there are other options.

Milford Track gets loads of snow and becomes inaccessible during the off season.

The Milford cruises run year round though (as long as the road to Milford is passable), so you can certainly see the sounds.

As an alternative walk, I highly recommend walking the Routeburn Track from The Divide to Key Summit and perhaps on to Howden Hut. The views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains from Key Summit are positively stunning It's a gorgeous walk (about 13 km return) and much, much more interesting than the Milford Day Walk.

PS - And it's free! No boat transfers needed.

Melnq - Great tips - thanks so much! Yes, it seems we won't be able to get a boat to do the Milford Day Track. We definitely do want to do a cruise though.

We will look into doing Routeburn - do you access the trail from the Milford Road?

Angela - Yes. The Divide parking area is located between Te Anau and Milford Sound right off Milford Road. If you get a reasonably early start you can walk all the way to Howden Hut and return, then drive the remaining 36 km to Milford and take a cruise, then be back in Te Anau for dinner.

We took the last cruise of the day in March - I think it was around 4:30 (it may be earlier in April) and it was fantastic - only a handful of people on the boat, as all the bus loads of people had left to return to Queenstown. It was our best Milford Sound experience (we've taken three Milford cruises).

Forgot to ask if you'll be staying in Te Anau or Queenstown?

I will be doing the walk/hike to Key Summit and was also considering the Milford day hike section. So, is it worth it if you have time?

AlwaysontheRoad -

Absolutely, but you can't do both in the same day.

The boat to Glade Wharf leaves Te Anau Downs at 10:30 and takes an hour to reach Glade Wharf (the start of the Milford Track). If you're staying in Te Anau, it's not a problem, if you're driving in from QT, you'll have to leave QT pretty early (it's a two hour drive from QT to Te Anau, then a bit further to Te Anau Downs).

Those on the guided walk only go as far as Clinton Hut, which takes just over an hour to reach with steady walking.

We freedom walked, so we walked an hour past Clinton Hut before we turned back. We managed to squeeze 18.5 km into our 4.5 hours on the track. As it turned out, we had time to go further, but at the time, we were worried about missing our return boat.

The boat gets back to Te Anau Downs by 6 pm.

Mel - We'll be spending time in both Queenstown & Te Anau. I've been reading about Routeburn & it sounds as equally appealing as Milford.

It is.

Glad you're spending some time in Te Anau, as it's often overlooked. Loads of great tracks in the ara.

Have fun.

Routeburn is right, I was mistaken. The hike and the views were spectacular.

Z

Any recommendations on places to stay in Queenstown and Te Anau? A B&B or farmstay would be great, or else a motel. We're looking about mid price range ~$120NZ/night or so..

Angela -

The Croft B&B in Te Anau is a great place. It's on Milford Road in a country setting just outside of Te Anau. It's more than $120 per night, but it's worth it. Wonderful owners.

http://www.thecroft.co.nz/

Bella Vista Motel in Queenstown is a good option - they're located in a quiet area near the gondola but within walking distance to town.

http://www.bellavistamotels.co.nz/