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Milford Track Transfers
More information
Walking the Milford Track
The Milford Track starts at Glade Wharf, Te Anau Downs. You must book a 1-hour boat transfer across Lake Te Anau to the start of the walking track. We offer a daily ferry service during the Great Walk season. Free car parking is available at Te Anau Downs, or bus transfers can also be booked from Queenstown or central Te Anau.
After 4 days of tramping through beautiful beech forests and across alpine passes, the track ends with a short boat ride from Sandfly Point to Milford Sound. RealNZ operates a boat service at the end of the track and this must be booked in advance.
Important things to know about the Milford Track
- The Milford Track can only be walked in one direction (Te Anau Downs to Milford Sound)
- The track must be walked as a 3-night, 4-day walk
- You will need to book your hut passes directly through DOC, no camping is allowed on the Milford Track
- Rated as an Intermediate track, the walk is suitable for a range of abilities
- The Milford Great Walk is maintained to a high standard, with well-formed tracks and sturdy bridges
- Outside of the great walk season facilities are greatly reduced and additional safety hazards are present. Only very experienced and well-equipped trampers should attempt the track during this time
- Visit The Department of Conservation for more information on track conditions, what to pack, and to book your hut passes
2021/22 Track Transport Boat Schedules
From Te Anau Downs to track start at Glade Wharf
- 2pm departure (26 Oct - 28 Apr)
From Sandfly Point to Milford Sound
- Multiple daily departures between 2pm and 4.30pm (29 Oct - 30 Apr)
Note: The Sandfly Point transfer boat will continuously shuttle walkers back and forth from the end of the track to Milford Sound.
A cruise through spectacular Milford Sound is the perfect way to end your Milford Track experience.
Cruise past mightily Mitre Peak, stand under the legendary Stirling Falls and keep an eye out for the unique locals (seals, dolphins and penguins). Add on a cruise and experience the magic of Milford Sound firsthand.
Our Overnight Cruise and 3pm day cruise will be your best options for day 4 of the Milford Track.
How to book your FREE Milford Sound Day Cruise or upgrade your experience with a Milford Sound Overnight Cruise at the end of your walk
- When you book your Milford Track Transport direct with RealNZ, you will receive a unique code in your confirmation email
- Book your Milford Sound Cruise separately and use this unique code in the booking steps
- The unique code must be used within 10 days of booking
- The offer is valid for the specified dates only (3rd November - April 29th) and the Milford Cruise must be booked for within 5 days of finishing the track
- If you choose to cruise the day you finish the track, we recommend cruise times later in the day to allow you enough time to get to the Milford Terminal
- If you choose to return to Te Anau and come back to Milford one of the following days, there are more cruise times to choose from, starting from 8.45am
- Promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount unless specified
- RealNZ reserves the right to amend timetables, cancel departures, alter ticket prices and substitute plant or equipment at any time
Coach Connections
We are excited to offer coach connections from Queenstown and Te Anau through our partners at Tracknet.
This makes it easier for our guests to book all their transport in one place.
- Queenstown - Te Anau Downs/Glade Wharf departures
- 10.30am
- Te Anau - Te Anau Downs/Glade Wharf Departures
- 1.25pm
- Milford Sound - Queenstown
- 2.30pm
- Milford Sound - Te Anau departures
- 2.30pm
- 5pm
