milford sound doc

If you already have an active Shopping Cart, you need to ensure you have enough time remaining to complete the booking and payment. We recommend you plan your trip early so you can nab those ideal dates. With its magical combination of mountain peaks, ink-dark waters and superb dramatic forest-clad cliffs, it must be seen to be believed. Ce fjord de Nouvelle-Zélande est le plus connu et surement le plus impressionnant. Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is in the northwest of Fiordland National Park. Your safety is your responsibility. A gradual climb follows the Clinton River to its source, Lake Mintaro, at the base of the renowned Mackinnon Pass. The Ice Fields above feed numerous waterfalls on rock faces all around the valley. This road is much more than a way to get to Milford Sound. Stay the night at Dumpling Hut. Bookings are required. [24] A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained brown by tannins from the surrounding forest, along with cold water temperatures allow the black corals to grow close to the surface throughout Milford Sound and Fiordland. A sea route was the main route used by early Māori to transport the kokotakiwai (greenstone) to Murihiku (Southland). Further along the track, you will reach the dramatic Mackay Falls and intriguing Bell Rock. Fitness Return to Mintaro Hut via the same track. The marketing people at DOC back in the day probably thought let's try and sell the wettest place in New Zealand by calling the Track the "finest in the world". The nearest town with facilities is Te Anau, and there are limited facilities at Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. DOC Huts The track over Mackinnon Pass is not marked and is often covered in deep snow. This is part of our, The weather in New Zealand and Fiordland National Park is very changeable. Once through the Homer Tunnel, you will see grand views down to sea level. There is no vehicle or private access to the start/end of the track. Find out what to take. Check the weather forecast before heading out – here is the weather report for Fiordland National Park. Be prepared for all conditions. Until 27 October 2020, you can go far as Dumpling Hut (Dumpling Hut will be closed from 27 October to 29 November 2020). From Dumpling Hut, follow Arthur River to the historic Boatshed. View current conditions on the MacKinnon Pass webcam. Guided walks with the DOC ranger maybe available during the late afternoon. Heavy rain, strong winds, cold temperatures, snow can happen at any time of the year so make sure you have the right clothing including warm layers and a rain jacket. There are two principal trails linking the Fiordland coast with the rest of Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island). An exciting 4-5 hour walk with sensational views to Milford Sound and the surrounding Darran Mountains. Take a boat trip (20 minutes) to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where there are bus services back to Te Anau and on to Queenstown. A Coastal Gem - Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve is one of 10 marine reserves in Fiordland. Food should be lightweight, tasty, nutritious and provide you with much-needed fuel! To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so please visit a DOC visitor centre in person. Regular water taxi’s run during the Great Walks Season and we suggest you take the fast boat from Te Anau Downs at 2 pm as it gets to the start of the track before the other boat. The fiord was a playground[citation needed] for local Māori who had acquired a large amount of local marine knowledge including tidal patterns and fish feeding patterns over generations prior to European arrival. From 27 October 2020 to 29 November 2020, a minimum of four people are required for boat transport to proceed. See the DOC Milford Track Brochure for further details on the terrain covered each day. Milford comes to life when it rains and water tumbles off surrounding cliffs creating hundreds of spontaneous waterfalls. It may take just a moment to display this page. Day 3: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut via Mackinnon Pass (6-7 hours, 14km) The Milford Road (part of SH94) starts from Te Anau, and heads north towards Milford Sound/Piopiotahi (120 km). Sailing ship captains such as James Cook, who bypassed Milford Sound on his journeys for just this reason, also feared venturing too close to the steep mountainsides, afraid that wind conditions would prevent escape. [4] Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council have some fantastic resources on keeping safe in the great outdoors. Yes, you can park at Milford Sound.Parking in the main Milford Sound car park will cost you $10 per hour.You’ll need to park here if you want to be close to everything including boat trips and walking. While the track is repaired, you can only do a return walk from Glade Wharf. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 1,517 metres (4,977 ft), said to resemble an elephant's head,[7] and The Lion, 1,302 metres (4,272 ft), in the shape of a crouching lion. A fiord and waterfall are named after him. [15], As a result of Milford Sound's high rainfall and the density of saltwater, the surface of Milford Sound is a layer of freshwater containing tannins from the surrounding rainforest. The track will not be suitable for all walkers. Some tourists also arrive from the smaller tourism centre of Te Anau, 121 km (75 mi) away. Regular water taxi’s run during the Great Walks Season and we suggest you take the fast boat from Te Anau Downs at 2 pm as it gets to the start of the track before the other boat. Water can be obtained from the outside water tank; if this is frozen, then from the nearest water course or by melting snow. These companies include: True South Flights, Glenorchy Air, Air Milford, and Milford Sound Scenic Flights. Even in summer, Fiordland is one of the wettest parts of New Zealand and temperatures can still be chilly. A small number of companies also provide overnight boat trips. (2012). Check the Fiordland National Park weather forecast (MetService website). We loved having the flexibility of finishing when we wanted to and spending as much time in Milford Sound. Food should be lightweight, tasty, nutritious and provide you with much-needed fuel! The track finishes at Sandfly Point, a 15-minute boat ride to Milford Sound Wharf. The long distance to the sound means that tourist operators from Queenstown all depart very early in the day, arriving back only late in the evening. The Great Walk Season runs from late October until late April every summer. See our Great Walks packing list for what you need to take, or book our Great Walk Gear Package and we’ll supply it all for you! Apparently a hose was used to displace the fuel from the tanks of one of the tour vessels, and various government officials claimed it appeared to be an act of ecoterrorism motivated by rising numbers of tourists to the park,[27] though more details did not become known. If you have less than 3 minutes remaining when completing this form, you will be prompted to ‘Extend Time’ to start the new booking again. There are many enjoyable short walks and viewpoints along the way, as well as DOC campsites should you wish to take more time. This is the most difficult day of the hike, climbing up and over the Mackinnon Pass and down through alpine valleys to the Roaring Burn River. As a fiord, Milford Sound was formed by a process of glaciation over millions of years. Get on the track and back with Easyhike, and enjoy the ease. A short boat ride from Sandfly Point will take you to your journey’s end, with world-famous views of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi along the way. Factors you should consider when deciding which footwear include your hiking experience, fitness level and how heavy your pack will be. Only 2 huts (Clinton and Mintaro) are open from 27 October 2020 to 29 November 2020. Proof of eligibility will be required for the New Zealand rate. In all seasons you should prepare carefully for walking the Milford Track. Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 - 26 October 2020): Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people. running water, flushing toilets, wash basins with cold running water (no showers), cooking facilities with fuel, tables and seating (BYO cooking utensils), a resident DOC ranger to provide advice on the weather or help in emergencies, beds are first come, first served (no booking system), huts have pit toilets instead of flush toilets, some bridges along the track are removed to prevent avalanche damage, many rivers flood during the winter season and are difficult to cross. With hotel drop off before you go, borrowing couldn’t be better. Deep within Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most stunning natural attraction. Gas is not provided – you will need to bring your own cooking stove. Pure Natural Beauty. You have 25 minutes from now to complete the payment process. Contact your transport provider for further information. The fiord remained undiscovered by Europeans until Captain John Grono discovered it c.1812 and named it Milford Haven after his homeland in Wales. The Milford Track is very popular and usually sell out 6 months to 1 year in advance. The first hour follows the valley floor before climbing large granite slabs and outcrops to Black Lake. Expect road closures and traffic delays due to weather conditions, rock falls, and snow/avalanche in winter. Our food packages take care of this. ACCOMMODATION:  Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities). You’ll also see the impressive Mackay Falls and the fascinating Bell Rock – an enormous boulder that has been  hollowed out over time by the powerful waterfalls and then turned upside down. Your accommodation is now ‘reserved’ but is not confirmed until you complete the payment process. [20], While Fiordland as such remained one of the least-explored areas of New Zealand up to the 20th century, Milford Sound's natural beauty soon attracted national and international renown, and led to the discovery of the Mackinnon Pass in 1888, soon to become a part of the new Milford Track, an early walking tourism trail. We can take care of all your transport including water taxis, road transport and car relocation. At the end of your Milford Track experience, take a cruise on the fiord before returning to Te Anau or Queenstown. DOC rangers are stationed in the huts during the Great Walks season, but you should always check the weather before you go, and tell someone of your plans. We recommend planning and booking your trip as early as possible to secure your ideal dates. During the winter months Fiordland can be very wet and cold. Our Premium package includes DOC hut tickets if you want us to take care of booking these for you. Daylight is limited and the high mountains let little sunlight into the valleys. Dress for these conditions. Alpine areas are usually covered in snow. There are 3 huts on the Milford Track, which must be booked well in advance during the Great Walks season. The huts do not provide cooking utensils or showers. Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2021 – 26 October 2021): Walking the track should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped people - facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional hazards. Freedom camping (within 200 m of the road) is not allowed on the Milford Road. Day 2: Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut (6 hours, 16.5km) Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water. The Milford Track can only be walked in one direction over 3 nights and 4 days, with one night in each hut (to maintain a limit imposed by the 'Fiordland National Park management plan' of 40 overnight walkers entering the track on any one day). DISTANCE:  53.5 km one way (transport required). The booking system for this period (huts/campsites booking system) is different to the booking system for the period when the track is fully open (Great Walks booking system). Your footwear is one of the most important factors to consider. Talk to us about tramping poles which are an excellent tool to assist you throughout the hike. Time: 1 hr 30 min returnThe side trip to Sutherland Falls is a definite highlight that is highly recommended and well worth the effort. You’ll need to create an account on the huts/campsites system, even if you already have an account on the Great Walks system. Parts of the Milford Track are exposed, steep, slippery, rough and muddy. New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand: A 10% discount is available to members, staff and instructors of the following organisations, who also hold a valid 12 month Backcountry Hut Pass: Milford Track starts on Lake Te Anau. Because of the cold, wet and snowy conditions in winter, only experienced hikers should attempt the walk in the off-season. Find out more about buses from Milford Sound. During the Great Walks season DOC manages this risk to a low level and walkers may be flown (at their cost) over dangerous sections. John Strother Even if the forecast is for fine weather or it’s the height of summer, you should always be prepared. Read about nature and conservation in Milford Road/Milford Sound area. It is quite simply stunning the whole way. Enjoyr plants, animals and geology along the Milford Road and in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. From 27 October 2020 to 29 November 2020, you can only do a return walk from Glade Wharf, staying in Clinton and/or Mintaro Huts. No one wants blisters…. During the season, the huts are equipped with: During the winter months you can still walk the Milford Track; however there are flood and avalanche risks along the route and track facilities are reduced. Past Hirere Falls you will get your first view of Mackinnon Pass and the impressive Pompolona icefield. Always stick to the track and look out for your fellow hikers. The Māori name for Milford Sound is Piopiotahi, after the native thrush - piopio - now probably extinct. Huts must be booked in advance. So I arranged it backwards—I drove all the way to Milford Sound, parked my car, stayed the night, then caught a bus back to Te Anau Downs to start the trek. For full details, see Know before you go on the Mintaro Hut page. DURATION:  4 Days / 3 Nights (required) – the first day is really short and you can start in the afternoon. Situated within the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, the underwater observatory allows visitors to view the fiord's unique marine environment at a depth of 10 metres. Find out more about buses from Milford Sound. The impressive falls drop 580 m in 3 leaps from Lake Quill. The risk of avalanche can extend into December. The track is well-maintained during the season by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and there are three comfortable serviced huts with bunk beds along the way. Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, TripAdvisor 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Award, "Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand", "New Zealand National Climate Summary–The year 2004", "The Humpback Whale Migration – Fiordland Marine Guardians", "Southern right whale sightings on the rise", "Stirling Falls, Southland – NZ Topo Map", Fiords – Underwater rock walls and basins, "Police probe Milford diesel spill 'terrorism, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Milford_Sound_/_Piopiotahi&oldid=976472758, Tourist attractions in Southland, New Zealand, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, All Wikipedia articles written in New Zealand English, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 September 2020, at 03:41. You can book one way travel from Milford Sound to Queenstown or Te Anau through the InterCity website. We'll provide two weeks' notice of the date bookings will open. No one wants blisters… Whales, especially the humpback and southern right whales, are increasingly observed due to recoveries of each species. If you get a discount you won't be charged a booking fee. The start of the track is at Glade Wharf, Lake Te Anau approximately one hour by water taxi from Te Anau Downs (27km from Te Anau township). Your footwear is one of the most important factors to consider. Discounts are not available online. If you choose to climb Mackinnon Pass, you will go up 500 m, and down 500 m again. Sutherland’s wife Elizabeth opened a boarding house for “asphalters” - cityfolk who came to enjoy Fiordland’s grandeur. Know the Outdoor Safety Code - 5 simple rules to ensure you have a great trip and make it home. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/places-to-go/milford-road-milford-sound-area/. This is part of our Transport Package. On the way to Dumpling Hut take a moment to admire Sutherland Falls in the distance. Even if the forecast is for fine weather or it’s the height of summer, you should always be prepared. From late October to April, experience 'the finest walk in the world' - along valleys carved by glaciers, through ancient rainforests and past cascading waterfalls. Tip: The Milford Sound road is windy much like the rest of NZ. We recommend booking on days that others visitors are also departing to avoid possible cancellation. Fiordland National Park experiences very high rainfall (up to 9000 mm per year) and weather conditions can change quickly in any season. [9] After heavy rain temporary waterfalls can be seen running down the steep sided rock faces that line the fiord. The track finishes at Sandfly Point on Milford Sound. You can see a list of companies offering Milford Track guided walks here. As of the 2006 census, just 120 people lived in Milford Sound,[22] most of them working in tourism or conservation. To start walking the Milford Track, hikers need to arrange boat transport from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf to get to the start of the track. Accumulated rainwater can, at times, cause portions of the rain forest to lose their grip on the sheer cliff faces, resulting in tree avalanches into the fiord. Staying in Milford Sound. Transport must be booked in advance. Bookings are essential, as only 90 people can start the walk each day and places frequently book out. Camping is not permitted on the Milford Track. "Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those: who hold a residence class, student or work visa; and, who have lived in New Zealand for six of the previous 12 months; and. If you are going into places avalanches could occur, be sure you: Maps of avalanche paths: Clinton Valley avalanche paths (JPG, 1,742K) | Arthur Valley avalanche paths (JPG, 1,703K). [12][13][14] Penguins are also common within the sound, which is a breeding site for the Fiordland penguin and has subsequently been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. There are no cooking utensils or showers in the huts and bookings are required. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. From 27 October 2020 to 29 November 2020, the track also finishes at Glade Wharf. Milford Sound is named after Milford Haven in Wales, while the Cleddau River which flows into the sound is also named for its Welsh namesake. The track will not be suitable for all walkers. The end of the Milford road reveals the staggering sights of Mitre Peak, the entrance to the famous fiord and the small village of Milford Sound. High in the mountains of Fiordland National Park, Lake Quill is encircled by rainforest peaks, with a sheer cliff on one side where the Sutherland Falls escape and thunder 580m down to the valley below. We recommend planning and booking your trip as early as possible to secure your ideal dates. Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Standing on top of McKinnon Pass and looking in every direction at deep glacial valleys was an unforgettable experience. The track follows the Clinton River up to the base of the Mackinnon Pass and Lake Mintaro, through ice fields and rocky valleys and past beautiful waterfalls. See the DOC Milford Track Brochure for further details on the terrain covered each day. is very popular and usually sell out 6 months to 1 year in advance. Suggested Itinerary You already know that Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s top visitor attractions – but you might be wondering what to do when you get there. In the same year, the low watershed saddle between the Hollyford River and the Cleddau River was discovered, where the Homer Tunnel was to be developed about sixty years later to provide road access.[21]. Day 4: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point (5 ½ – 6 hours, 18km) They are fed by rain water drenched moss and will last a few days at most once the rain stops. Check the weather forecast before heading out –, Food-wise, you’ll want to make sure you have enough to last the 4-day walk, plus contingency.