How long does milford track take

Operated by the family-run team at Fiordland Outdoors Co. After four or five days of hiking, there's nothing better than not a stay at Milford Sound Lodge. Soak up the modern comforts of our luxury chalets, a soak in the bath and a deep rest in a King size bed. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the morning at Pio Pio restaurant before beating the crowds on a morning boat cruise.

You might also like to keep an eye out for some memorable native birds while walking the track. This is a great area to spot the kea, a noisy and inquisitive native parrot that will generally show up wherever there's a picnic being unpacked!

Listen for the distinctive call of its endangered cousin the kaka, as well as those of the tui and bellbird. If you're lucky, you may hear or even see the shy brown kiwi, which forages on the forest floor after dark. You'll also get to see a good cross-section of Fiordland's vegetation along the track. Watch for subtle changes in your surroundings as a valley of stately beech trees becomes wet rainforest, dripping with moss and ferns.

At times you'll be out in the open amid springy tussocks and jagged rocks, and soon after you could be cocooned in a world of bearded trees, carpeted with ferns, and lit by sunlight filtering through a ceiling of shifting leaves.

Look out for pockets of ribbonwood, rimu and fuschia among the beech trees, and in open glades keep an eye out for wineberries. Higher up you'll find tropical-looking cabbage trees and mountain holly, giving way to snow tussocks, spear grass, mountain daisies and the hardy South Island eidelweiss.

Walking the Milford Track It takes four days to walk the full Milford Track Great Walk, with three overnight stops at comfortable huts. Or join a guided group and stay in private huts.

However, it is possible to explore just the beginning section of the trail by booking a return cruise. Another option is to book a guided tour. The Milford Track guided walk is a one day tour that takes you to the historic Glade House, across a swing bridge over the Clinton River and through the beech forest. You will be led by a knowledgeable nature guide that will share information about the fauna, flora, birds and wildlife along the track.

This is an excellent option for those who are short on time but still want to experience the wonder that is the Milford Track. Whether you choose to walk the 4-day track independently and stay at the huts or enjoy part of it on a single day tour, the Milford Track is a must-do in New Zealand.

Book your Milford Track transport here. Book your Milford Track guided day walk here. It is approximately 2 hours' from here to the Mintaro Hut.

Today's part of the Milford Track begins with a gradual zig zag climb to reach MacKinnon Memorial - make sure to soak up the spectacular views of Lake Mintaro and the Clinton Valley. At the top of the climb, the track winds up and over the MacKinnon Pass, the highest point on the track at metres. While catching your breath at the summit, look back on the stunning Clinton Valley. To the north lies Arthur Valley and Milford Sound - a view that is crowded with mountain peaks.

From here, the track winds downhill, crossing beneath Mount Balloon and the Jervois Glacier before following a boardwalk beside the Roaring Burn River with its numerous waterfalls. Shortly after the boardwalk, a side track leads to the stunning Sutherland Falls - the highest in New Zealand. The metre fall drops directly out of Lake Quill, which is fed by several glaciers, and plummets to the ground in three steps. After you've finished soaking up the beauty of the waterfall, it's a short walk to the Dumpling Hut.

The hike to the end of the track today includes a number of pretty waterfalls, suspension bridges and crystal-clear creeks. After these falls it's another hour and a half's walk to Sandfly Point and the end of the Milford Track. Boats depart from here to take walkers back to Milford Sound at 2 or 3pm each day. Milford Track opens in new window. There are three public lodges on the Milford Track run by the Department of Conservation, as outlined in the suggested itinerary above as well as three private lodges, run by Ultimate Hikes.

Camping is not permitted on the track. If you are hiking the walk independently, you will need to book in advance - bookings can be made online here opens in new window. Bookings are essential from late October to late April. Great restaurants, quality accommodation in a remarkable alpine setting make Te Anau a very appealing place to prepare for or recover from walking the Milford Track. A few hours' drive from Te Anau is the bustling town of Queenstown, home to a large range of accommodation and things to do.