Key Facts, Milford Track Day 3.

• Length: 21 km
• Time: 6-8 hours
• Highlight: Mackay Falls & taking a dip in the ice-cold water at the Giant Gate Falls

You’ll reach Mackay Falls (the most photographed place in all of New Zealand) and Lake Ada before hiking past the last waterfall on the track, the Giant Gate Falls. I couldn’t help myself and went in for a little swim. The water was ice-cold and I felt like a million needles pinched me, but afterwards I was re-born with superwomen powers and ready to finish the track. From here it took about one and a half hours to Sandfly Point. It’s a well deserved name, so be sure your have enough insect repellent ready.

Once you reach the accommodation at Milford Sound you’ll have a superb view of Mitre Peak (again, if the weather allows it).

Milford Track, Day By Day Itinerary.

• Day 0: Queenstown to Glade House.
• Day 1: Glade House to Pompolona Lodge.
• Day 2: Pompolona Lodge to Quintin Lodge via Mackinnon Pass.
• Day 3: Quintin Lodge to Mitre Peak Lodge via Sandfly Point (you’re here right now).
• Day 4: Mitre Peak Lodge to Milford Sound.

The landscape you’ll experience during Milford Track reminded me of the one in Jurassic Park.

The Mackay Falls are a wishbone-shaped waterfall on Milford Track. While lacking in height and power, it’s a welcome sight after going for a long stretch without seeing a major waterfall in Arthur Valley.

The fog lifted just after we started walking and what we got was one one of the most amazing landscape we’ve come across so far.

Day 3 of Milford Track meant the crossing of several suspension bridges.

One minute we walked through open fields, the next through a moss covered rain forest.

Key Facts, Milford Track Day 2.

• Length: 15 km
• Time: 6-8 hours (add 60-90 minutes for Sutherland Falls)
• Highlight: Hot shower, comfy bed and naturally, Mackinnon Pass was kinda cool even with crappy weather.

Starting from Pompolona Lodge, the track first lead to Lake Mintaro, before we started climbing Mackinnon Pass in a series of zig-zags. At the top you’d normally be rewarded with spectacular panorama – in case the weather allows it. Unfortunately we weren’t that lucky and Mackinnon Memorial greeted us with thick fog, pouring rain and temperatures just above the freezing point. We couldn’t wait getting away from the plateau fast enough and continued to Pass Hut, where we stopped for a short lunch break.

The way down was a complete change of scenery again: from wide openness to thick rain forest. After the rocky 1.000 metre descent into the Arthur Valley, I reached Quintin Lodge as the first one, so I decided to continue to the Sutherland Falls, the world’s fifth highest waterfall. It would have been an amazing experience, yet sandflies and rain were enough for me to immediately turn around. The though of a hot shower, drying room and warm bed gave me wings and I was back at Quintin Lodge in no time. I’m really not a sissy, but I wouldn’t have wanted to slip back into my wet shoes the next day, so thanks again for the luxury Ultimate Hikes!

Milford Track, Day By Day Itinerary.

• Day 0: Queenstown to Glade House.
• Day 1: Glade House to Pompolona Lodge.
• Day 2: Pompolona Lodge to Quintin Lodge via Mackinnon Pass (you’re here right now).
• Day 3: Quintin Lodge to Mitre Peak Lodge via Sandfly Point.
• Day 4: Mitre Peak Lodge to Milford Sound.

At the beginning od Day 2, you’ll come across excellent views of Lake Mintaro and the Clinton Valley.

Before arriving at the top of Mackinnen Pass, the walk begins to follow a series of switchbacks out of the bush and into the alpine sections of the route.

The track then reaches the large memorial cairn that honours the discovery of this scenic spot by Quintin Mackinnon and Ernest Mitchell, in 1888.

If the weather is fair, there are impressive views all around of the Clinton and Arthur valleys and several nearby peaks. In this case, trampers like to spend some extra time at the pass; if it isn’t, they can’t get off it fast enough – which was exactly what we did.

The track crosses beneath Mount Balloon and the Jervois Glacier to the Moraine Creek Bridge.

After the Moraine Creek Bridge, it then follows a boardwalk and staircase beside the Roaring Burn River, with its numerous waterfalls.

Key Facts, Milford Track Day 1.

• Length: 16 km
• Time: 5-7 hours
• Highlight: Wetlands

After crossing the emerald green Clinton River over the first of about 400 bridges (I unfortunately forgot the exact number Kelly mentioned), we walked up the valley of beech forest, passing Quintin Mackinnon’s first shelter hut built back in 1889.

A bit further was a little side track to the wetland area, which is definitely worth checking out! Wetland made me think of an area near a rivers or lake, however, this one was in the middle of a valley with no water in sight! Shrub brush and moss is all that grows here, due to a iron pan below the soil. But the beech trees are slowly taking over and will eventually convert the area to a dry land.

From here the walk continued pretty flat, before it climbed as it entered the Clinton Valley. Walking through the lush beech forest, you’ll cross a huge landslide from the 80’s which blocked the river and created a Dead Lake.

After approx. 11 kilometres, we reached the Hirere Falls. If you’re lucky and the weather allows it, you can get a sneak preview of Mackinnon Pass in the distance. After re-entering the forest, the surrounding opened up again. Since it was raining a lot in the last couple of days, countless waterfalls embellished the steep rock walls, which was really impressive. From here, it’s was just a short climb to Pompolona Lodge, where we were greeted with a nice warm cup of tea.

Milford Track, Day By Day Itinerary.

• Day 0: Queenstown to Glade House.
• Day 1: Glade House to Pompolona Lodge (you’re here right now).
• Day 2: Pompolona Lodge to Quintin Lodge via Mackinnon Pass.
• Day 3: Quintin Lodge to Mitre Peak Lodge via Sandfly Point.
• Day 4: Mitre Peak Lodge to Milford Sound.

View of the emerald green Clinton River while passing the suspension bridge on Milford Track.

The walk along Clinton river makes you feel like you’re so far away from civilisation (which is the case anyway).

A short side track to the wetland area. The lack of nutrients in the soil have stunted the growth of these Beech trees . The result is a Bonsai forest.

Although you continue on a flat walk, the area is not any less interesting…

Clinton Valley looks like out of Jurassic Park.

It had rained for many days before we started the track, which was perfect for all the waterfalls in the Clinton Valley.

Unfortunately, all huts were booked and I had no other choice but to go with a guided tour. And I did not regret it.

Milford Track With Ultimate Hikes.

When booking the hike, I was a bit skeptical about the value vs. the costs, because it’s definitely not inexpensive, yet it was worth every single cent! Walking Milford Track with Ultimate Hikes meant private lodges, (hot) showers, amazing 3-course meals, comfortable beds, drying rooms and also meeting some of the best people during my entire New Zealand adventure! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not very high-maintenance, but when passing some of the free walkers on the fourth day, I really started appreciating that hot shower even more!

Our guides Kelly, Adie and Melissa knew every step of the way and did an amazing job preparing us for the trek. They were a great part of one of my best travel experiences ever!

What To Bring When Walking Milford Track.

• Waterproof & breathable Reflex jacket (a good one will cost you, but you won’t regret it)
• Good walking boots/shoes
• Backpack & Waterproof Backpacker liner
• Thermal base layer (top & bottom)
• Headband
• Gloves
• Merino wool socks (good socks are absolutely essential)
• Insect Repellant (needed everywhere along the track, but especially Sutherland Falls & Sandfly Point)
• HikersWool (the best investment you’ll make – the lamb wool sucks away the moisture and you won’t get a single blister, promise!)

The weather in New Zealand can change instantly, therefore it’s really important to be prepared for any weather whilst on the track!

The History Of Milford Track.

Milford Track has a rich history almost as long as that of New Zealand itself. Donald Sutherland and John Mackay were the first European explorers who discovered the Sutherland and Mackay Falls in 1880. Sutherland started building a track up the Arthur Valley so visitors could see his falls. But access was limited by the rugged Fiordland coast and finding an overland route became necessary.

And Then Came Quintin McKinnon.

Quintin McKinnon was the trekker who began guiding tours along Milford Track. In 1887 McKinnon was employed by the Otago Survey Department to try and find a tourist route into Milford Sound. He was unsuccessful in this first attempt but gave it another go in 1888, this time with Ernest Mitchell in tow. They were instructed to cut a track up the river and to find a pass. McKinnon was successful and discovered a passage between the head of Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound, which was then named after him.

Day 0: Queenstown To Te Anau And Glade House.

Walking Distance: 1.6 kilometres / 15 minutes

Our adventure began at the Ultimate Hikes office in Queenstown. This is where my panic buying took its course and I found myself with some HikersWool and Merino wool socks for about 60 NZ$, which turned out to be the best investment I made in New Zealand (apart from my MacPac Waterproof jacket)!

We arrived in Te Anau after about one and a half hours just in time for lunch before continuing to the harbour where a launch brought us to the head of Lake Te Anau. From here it was just a short walk to the Glade House. After settling in, we went on a nature walk in the area and I gotta tell ya, it was a great advertisement for what we would expect the next couple of days! Milford Track is definitely more than just a physical journey; it’s one of those hikes you’ll never forget and tell your kids about.

Milford Track, Day By Day Itinerary.

• Day 0: Queenstown to Glade House (you’re here right now).
• Day 1: Glade House to Pompolona Lodge.
• Day 2: Pompolona Lodge to Quintin Lodge via Mackinnon Pass.
• Day 3: Quintin Lodge to Mitre Peak Lodge via Sandfly Point.
• Day 4: Mitre Peak Lodge to Milford Sound.

I couldn’t wait to start walking Milford Track, one of the finest walks in the world.

The coolest group of friends: The Hokey Pokey Club. And I was lucky to be a part of the club during the Milford Track :)

Ready, set, go! Take-off from Te Anau harbour.

It was a short walk from the jetty to Glade House, which lies right next to the Clinton River.

Sunlight filters onto the moss-covered wetland forest floor along Milford Track, creating soft sculptures.

The rain provides a mystical moss-draped forest along almost the entire way of Milford Track.

Even though we didn’t walk a lot on the first day of Milford Track, nature around Glade house was well worth staying there.