Milford Track Great Walk

Milford Track Guided Walk and Boat Cruise

Enjoy the cruise and seeing the glacial carved mountains, Milford Sound, Fiordland

Explore more of Milford Sound

Enjoy a taste of the world-famous Milford Track with a half-day guided walk. Highlights include the notorious Sandfly Point at the end of the track, and the beautiful Giant's Gate waterfall. Complete the day with a magnificent cruise on Milford Sound. You've got Milford Sound covered with these two great products, creating the unforgettable Milford Sound experience in one great value package. It is a fantastic way to see both the 'finest walk in the world' and enjoy the fiord from sea level, including the picturesque Mitre Peak.

3.5hrs
11km
50m
Medium
2hrs
7hrs

Ex Milford Sound

Adult From ^NZ$304
Child ^NZ$215

Ex Te Anau

Adult ^NZ$379
Child ^NZ$275

Part 1- Morning guided walk on the Milford Track

After brief introductions at the Milford Sound terminal, we begin with a short boat ride across Milford Sound’s Deep Water Basin to Sandfly Point, adeptly named as you will see! This is the end point of the Milford Track, but the start of today's Milford hike. From there we begin our guided walk, meandering alongside the cascading Arthur River then Lake Ada, on a well formed track. Our destination and half way point is Giant's Gate waterfall. This spectacular waterfall is best viewed and photographed from the large swing bridge spanning the river.

There is much to see, from the ancient trees towering above to the vibrant green ferns and mosses below. Walking in a small group (maximum 12 people), your Trips & Tramps nature guide will point out the native fauna and flora and share the fascinating human heritage of the track, bringing the area to life.

On conclusion of the guided walk, you return to the main wharf complex for your boat cruise.

Part 2 - Afternoon boat cruise

Enjoy Milford Sound’s awe-inspiring scenery from the comfort of a small boat cruise, as you sit back and relax.

Cruise the length of the fiord and experience the beauty of Milford Sound in all its grandeur. Listen to the informative commentary from the skipper, view the iconic Mitre Peak and get up close to the mighty Stirling Falls. With limited numbers, you are rewarded with an intimate experience of Milford Sound and unobstructed photo opportunities from the outdoor viewing decks. Keep an eye out for the seals basking in the sun or maybe even a pod of dolphins visiting! There is so much to see, and is a perfect way to round off your day.

I had a great experience!

"I had a great experience discouvering a small but significant part of the Milford Sound with our guide. He was both really nice, a good group manager and a great resource on the area. We walked together a few times and he shared extra insights I found very interesting. There never was enough time but we did a good job! ;-)"

Donna

Very knowledgeable guide and we had fun in the tour!

Our tour guide Jeff was a very knowledgeable guide and we had fun in the tour! Check in was easy as was the relocation to the start (end) of the walking track. I liked the way that he let us make our way back at our own pace (with him taking up the rear so that no one got lost) as this allowed us to stop at the places that we wanted to spend a little more time at.

Joanna, Australia

Te Anau
Giant Gate Waterfall
Milford Sound
Milford Sound, Deep Water Basin
Milford Sound Terminal
Milford Track
Sandfly Point
Te Anau
Sandfly Point, Milford Track
Queenstown

Meals

A hot drink and light snack is provided on the guided walk. We recommend you bring hiking snacks with you and a filled, reusable bottle of water for the hike. There is an option to preorder a picnic lunch (additional charge). On board the boat complimentary tea and coffee is available. Alternatively you can take your own lunch with you on the boat cruise.

Departure Point

Ex Milford Sound

If you have selected to depart from Milford Sound, meet your Trips & Tramps guide at 8.30 am. You will meet your guide at the Mitre Peak Cruise counter in the Main Visitors Terminal located at Freshwater Basin (and the end of the road).

Milford Sound is a recommended 2 hour drive from Te Anau plus you need to allow time to park, so we recommend a 6.00 am departure from Te Anau. Milford Sound Tourism has implemented paid parking in the main Milford carparks. The cost is currently set at $10 per hour. This fee is payable by credit card only. On Deepwater Basin Road there is free parking on a gravel carpark. We recommend you be at Milford parked up by 8.00 am if you wish to have free parking in this carpark. From here it is a 20 minute walk to the main terminal building where we meet you.

The Milford Road is steep, windy and narrow in places - less confident drivers should consider taking the transport option. There is no cell phone coverage after Te Anau Downs, including at Milford Sound.

Ex Te Anau

If you have selected our transport option for the Milford Track Guided Walk, we will collect you from your Te Anau accommodation so please be ready waiting for us outside at 6.30 am good to go!

Schedule

Part 1 - Milford Track Guided Walk

8.30 am Check in at the Milford Sound Boat Terminal

8.45 am Depart Milford Sound Wharf by Water taxi to Sandfly Point

11.15 am Wilderness tea break at Giant Gate Waterfall

1.00 pm Water taxi departs Sandfly Point

1.15 pm Return to Milford Sound

Part 2 Milford Small boat scenic cruise

1.30 pm Depart Milford Boat Cruise with Mitre Peak Cruises

3.30 pm pm Return Milford Wharf

Transport Option: 6.30 am Pick up Te Anau accommodation, return 6.00 pm.

Availability: 01 November to 30th April.

What to bring

What to Bring - we recommend guests bring comfortable walking shoes, day pack containing warm top (synthetic or wool), waterproof jacket, warm hat and gloves, insect repellent, snack food and camera. Jeans and street wear are not suitable clothing, please ensure you wear suitable outdoor, active wear for the walks. We also recommend you have a change of clothes and dry shoes in case it is a wet day. Rain jackets are available if requested prior to the day of travel. Bring lunch with you or preorder a packed lunch.

We provide

We provide on the guided walk a professional guide, water taxi transport from Deep Water Basin to Sandfly Point, Milford Track and return, safety gear, and hot drinks. Plus a 2 hour Milford Sound small boat cruise with Mitre Peak Cruises to the Tasman Sea with great viewing opportunities.

Hike Difficulty

Some fitness required, walking pace set around 3 km per hour, 50 metre vertical gain, 11 km walk total, walking time aproximately 3.5 hours. There are some areas where terrain is rocky or rough underfoot. On occasion, wet weather may make conditions more challenging when puddles or streams may be encountered. We operate in mostweather conditions, so guests need to be suitably prepared. Not recommended for children under 8 years.

Children

This excursion is suitable for children 8 years +. The child rate applies for ages 8-15 years inclusive.

Unfortunately we are unable to take infants or young children on the track for health and safety reasons. The major concern is the weather and the pace set. We cannot guarantee fine weather, and should it be raining on the day (which Milford Sound is prone to) young children do not have the ability to keep warm enough. Also infants will be sat in backpacks for up to 4 hours getting wet, cold and unable to warm up as they are too young to be able to keep up with the pace as set by the guide which is approximately 3km - 3.5km per hour.

The owners of Trips and Tramps, Steve and Kate, have 4 children of their own and so this age limit has been decided based on their own personal experiences.