The Milford Track at a glance
The Milford Track is a Great Walk of 53.5 km, walked in one direction over 4 days and 3 nights. You sleep in three huts: Clinton, Mintaro and Dumpling. Camping is not allowed on the track. The walk starts at Glade Wharf and ends at Sandfly Point, and you reach both by boat.
Hut booking is required in the Great Walks season. The 2026/27 season runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, and the last start is 28 April 2027. Bookings are open. The track is for people who are prepared for several days in remote country with no mobile phone coverage.
Hut fees per night
Department of Conservation fees per person, main season and off season.
| Group | Main season | Off season |
|---|---|---|
| NZ-eligible adults, 18 and over | NZ$106 | NZ$30 |
| International adults, 18 and over | NZ$152 | NZ$30 |
| NZ children, 5 to 17 | NZ$53 | NZ$15 |
| International children, 0 to 17 (column heading) | NZ$76 | NZ$15 |
| NZ children, 0 to 4 | Free | Free |
The NZ rate needs proof of eligibility. Do not carry the free rate for NZ under-5s over to international children. For three main-season nights an adult pays NZ$318 on the NZ rate or NZ$456 on the international rate. That covers huts only, without transport or a guide.
Milford Track and Fiordland tours
Guided options, boat trips and day tours around the Milford Track area, with live prices and availability.
Planning the walk
Huts, transport and the off season.
What the huts offer
The huts have bunks with mattresses, water and basic cooking facilities. They have no showers and no cooking utensils, so you bring your own. Facilities are reduced in winter.
Getting to and from the track
The track starts at Glade Wharf and finishes at Sandfly Point, and both are reached by boat. Book transport in advance. Tracknet lists a loop package for the 2026/27 season, with trips from 1 November 2026 to 1 May 2027. From Te Anau it starts at NZ$243 for adults and NZ$153 for children. From Queenstown it starts at NZ$348 and NZ$216. These are from-prices and do not include huts.
Te Anau guide →Winter and the off season
The Department of Conservation page gives two statements for the off season. One section says no booking is needed from 1 May to 31 October 2026 and that places go on a first come basis. The winter section still asks for hut bookings. Confirm with the Department before an off-season trip.
Guided walks
In February 2026 the Department of Conservation announced a 30-year concession for Ultimate Hikes. A separate consultation covers day-guiding and off-season multi-day guiding concessions that ended on 30 June 2026. Neither means that all guided walks have stopped.
Safety
What the track asks of you.
No phone coverage
There is no mobile reception on the track. Tell someone your plan before you start.
Avalanche and flood
Avalanche risk can last until December. Flooding can make the track impassable. Check the current track conditions with the Department of Conservation before you go, and allow for delays if the weather turns. The weather page explains how wet Fiordland is.
Children
The Department advises against the walk for children under 10.
If you do not walk the track
Other ways to see this country.
Key Summit
This is a day walk, not a quick photo stop. It starts at The Divide on the Routeburn Track and takes 3 hours for 6.8 km return. Stay on the track, because the alpine plants are fragile.
Milford Road guide →A flight over the track
The Wings and Water seaplane from Te Anau flies over Lake Te Anau, the Milford Track and Sutherland Falls on the way to Milford. It lists NZ$665 for adults and NZ$400 for children. The price is an undated listing, and weather can cancel the flight.
Scenic flights guide →Other walks
For a famous day walk in another region, see the Hooker Valley Track guide.
Milford Track: frequently asked questions
How long is the Milford Track?
The track is 53.5 km and takes 4 days and 3 nights. It is walked in one direction, with huts at Clinton, Mintaro and Dumpling.
When is the Milford Track season?
The 2026/27 season runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, with the last start on 28 April 2027. Hut booking is required and bookings are open.
How much do the huts cost?
In the main season an international adult pays NZ$152 per night and an NZ-eligible adult pays NZ$106. Off season, both pay NZ$30. Three nights cost NZ$456 and NZ$318 respectively, without transport.
Can I camp on the Milford Track?
No. Camping is not allowed. You sleep in the huts, which you must book in the season.
Do I need to arrange transport?
Yes. Both ends of the track are reached by boat, from Glade Wharf and to Sandfly Point, so book transport ahead. Tracknet lists loop packages from Te Anau and Queenstown for 2026/27.
Can children walk the Milford Track?
The Department of Conservation advises against the walk for children under 10. Children pay reduced hut fees: NZ$53 for NZ children aged 5 to 17 and NZ$76 for international children in the main season. The track has no mobile coverage, which matters when you walk with a family.
Are the huts open in winter?
The Department's page gives two statements. One says no booking is needed from 1 May to 31 October 2026. The winter section still asks for hut bookings. Facilities are reduced in winter, and avalanche risk can last until December. Confirm the current rules with the Department before you plan an off-season trip.