Self Guided Day Walk & Return Water Taxi

Highlights

• Self-guided 3-4 hour walk on the Milford Track
• Return water taxi from Milford Sound to Milford Track
• 11 kilometre return walk to 30 metre Giant Gates Falls
• Flat & easy walking at your own pace

Description

Experience a taster of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks on a self-guided Milford Track day walk with boat transfers provided by Fiordland Outdoors Co. Starting off in Deepwater Basin in Milford Sound, a water taxi transports you to Sandfly Point, which is the end point of the Milford Track. Spend approximately half a day hiking through this secluded part of Milford Sound and Fiordland on the world-famous Milford Track, before catching a return water taxi in the afternoon.

The Milford Track was once named ‘the finest walk in the world’, and with good reason. This 53 kilometre hiking trail travels past glacier-carved valleys, rainforests and mountain peaks from near Te Anau Downs to the track’s end point at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound. Showcasing the best of alpine and fiordland scenery, the Milford Track can also be explored on an easy-going day walk from Milford Sound, with a scenic return water taxi and 3-4 hours of self-guided walking.

Ideal for those staying in Te Anau or Milford Sound, the water taxi with Fiordland Outdoors Co. departs from Deepwater Basin every half an hour, close by to Milford Sound’s cruise terminal. It’s a 10 minute boat ride to reach Sandfly Point and the start of your Milford Track adventure. Then, for a 3-4 hour or 11 kilometre return hike, you can make your way along the Arthur River and Lake Ada before reaching the popular destination of Giant Gates Falls. This 30 metre waterfall cascades through the native rainforest into a beautiful pool, where you can stop for lunch and even a swim. Enjoy the Milford Track at your own pace, soak in the fiordland surroundings and look out for native wildlife before heading back for your return water taxi at the end of this surreal day walk.

Trip Includes

• Return boat transfer from Deepwater Bain in Milford Sound to Sandfly Point (Milford Track)
• Self-guided day walk at your own pace
• Option to hike to Giant Gates Falls (11 kilometres return)

Duration

• Allow half a day (3-4 hours walking)

Departures

• Every half an hour 8:30am - 2:00pm
• Departs from Milford Sound Boat Ramp, Deepwater Basin, Milford Sound (a few minutes drive from Milford Sound Cruise Terminal)
• Last return water taxi departs Sandfly Point back to Milford Sound at 4:30pm
• Operates daily October-May

Other Information

• Please bring walking or hiking boots, a small backpack, water, picnic lunch, snacks, raincoat, warm layer, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
• If you would like to take a chilly dip at Giant Gates Falls, please bring swimwear & a lightweight towel
• Child rates apply (5-17yrs)
• Infants (0-4yrs) travel free of charge
• Free parking available down Deepwater Basin Road on the left (500 metre walk to boat ramp)
• Allow 20 minutes from parking to departure time
• To fit an afternoon Milford Sound Boat Cruise into your day, we recommend catching the early morning water taxi for this half day walk
• Suitable for those staying in Te Anau and Milford Sound
• Allow 2.5 hours self driving from Te Anau to Deepwater Basin in Milford Sound
• Flat and easy track suitable for families, children and groups
• No more than 50 metres of elevation on this section of the Milford Track
• Toilets and shelter available at Sandfly Point and Giant Gate Falls (over bridge)

Normal Retail Prices

• Adult: NZD$50.00
• Child (5-17yrs): NZD$25.00