A group organised Milford Track Trail Run, sharing the logistics of an otherwise tricky and expensive solo mission. Read about the previous adventures here :
2024 : Milford Track Group Mission
2025 : Milford Track Group Mission
WHEN : Summer 2025/2026 – Dates TBC
WHERE : Milford Track, Piopiotahi, Fiordland National Park.
Track Distance : 53.5 km one way, point to point.
Note : The following information is for groups running the Milford Track where the logistics and communication is lead by us. Timings and transport options stated may not apply for solo runners or smaller groups. Please contact the Water Taxi company Fiordland Outdoors to discuss with them the options available to you and your crew.
Starts : Sandfly Point, Milford Track. This requires a drop-off via water taxi from the Deepwater Basin Boat Bamp in Milford Sound. The water taxi crossing is 5-10 minutes and costs $65 per person (subject to numbers and price changes year to year). Each boat can take a maximum of 10 passengers and the first charted boat to depart and begin shuttling runners will leave around 7:15am (due to sunrise in March). Milford is a 117km drive from Te Anau taking approx 1hr 45min, but please allow 2hrs. At this stage there are no commercial shuttles operating early enough to get you to Milford at 7am, therefore land transport options to follow below.
Extras : Potential side mission to Sutherland Falls, the impressive falls dropping 580m in 3 leaps from Lake Quill. A definite highlight that is worth the effort, but only if you are confident it will not jeopardise your finish time. The out and back will add 4.5km to your run (2.25km each way) and 45-50 minutes for a medium-fast trail runner. The Sutherland Falls track starts from Quintin Shelter and is flat before turning into a rough trail. Approximately half the distance is runnable, with stairs and rocks slowing you to a walk in parts. There is also a steeper climb up onto the upper terrace. The return journey is easier and quicker.
Finishes : Glade Wharf at the end of the Milford Track where a water taxi will pick up and take the runners back to Te Anau Downs. The water taxi leaves Glade Wharf at 5pm (this time is ONLY available to group bookings such as ours, otherwise runners must meet the the last Day Hikers boat that departs at 4pm). It takes about 1 hour to transport passengers to the Downs and another hour to return to the Milford Track should there be a second group to uplift. The Glade boat can take a maximum of 14 passengers and the cost for this journey is $120 per person (subject to change). If we can confirm 24 passengers, both the 5pm and the later 7pm boat will be made available for the same price of $120 per person. Land transport options to return to Te Anau township are listed below.
Important – If a runner/s misses their boat off the track they will require an unscheduled pickup. The boat will return approx. 2hours after their last departure, and the passenger or passengers requiring an unscheduled pickup will be responsible for paying the full charter rate between them.
Track Elevation : approx. 1,755 meters Elev. Gain (Highest Point MacKinnon Shelter at 1105m).
Milford Track Information via Department of Conservation
Huts & Shelters : The track has several huts and shelters owned by either DOC or Ultimate Hikes. The Ultimate Hike huts are privately owned and are only available to their Guided Walk cliental. These include Quintin Lodge, Pompolona Lodge and Glade House. These and other shelters labeled ‘Guided Walkers Only’ are off-limits except in cases of emergencies. The DOC huts include (in order) Dumpling Hut, Mintaro Hut and Clinton Hut. Dumpling Hut is on the main track, the other two are a 5-20 minute walk off the track on a secondary path, but well signposted. All shelters marked ‘Independent Hikers’ are available for access.
Distance between DOC Huts:
Sandfly Point to Dumpling Hut : 18km
Dumpling Hut to Mintaro Hut via Mackinnon Pass : 13km
Mintaro Hut to Clinton Hut : 17.5km
Clinton Hut to Glade Whalf : 5km
Land Transport : Runners within our group can be transported to Milford via the chartered buses. These depart at approx 4:45am on the morning of the run from the Te Anau Downs boat ramp. Costs is $85 per person (subject to change year to year).
No bus will be arranged at the end of the day. Runners should car pool in the morning, driving private vehicles to the Te Anau Downs Boat Ramp on State Highway 94. It is 28km / 25min drive from Te Anau. Vehicles can be parked and left in the road side carpark or down the access road attached. You can also leave your drop bags, clothing, food and anything else you need in your vehicle for your finish. At the end of your run the Fiordland Outdoors Water Taxis will transfer and drop all runners/passengers at the Te Anau Downs Boat Ramp.
Runners who are completing the track without a larger group or chartered buses should contact Easy Hikes about car relocation services.
Cost Summary: The full cost per person for the shared transport of two water taxis ($185) plus the chartered bus to Milford ($85) is $270. The Water Tax fare is paid directly to Fiordland Outdoors who will manage your track transfers and concessions.
There will also be an optional group dinner meet-and-greet at a local Te Anau restaurant the evening before. Attendee will be required to pay for their own drinks and meal. Travel to and accommodation in Te Anau is also at the expense of each runner.
From 2025 we will be collecting a non-refundable $25 holding fee for each runner that wishes to reserve a place on the trip. All actual costs are not due for payment until 3-4 weeks out from the run date. Places are limited to 24 runners and we will be managing a waitlist if we exceed this. There is no cost payable for joining the Group itself. Once paid, all water taxi refunds and/or cancellations are subject to the Fiordland Outdoors T&C’s. Bus refunds will only be issued if your space can be re-filled. After the mission, all holding fees will be donated to the charity Lifeline, in memory of Joe Benbow.
Responsibility: By joining this group, runners agree to take responsibility and liability for their own actions and safety. This is a ‘Group Organised’ run and not a ‘Group Run’, so runners can choose to stay together, in smaller groups, or move through the track at their own pace. We will co-ordinate and facilitate the group communications and help organise the transport logistics, however as a non-commercial event, we are not liable for any individuals costs, the safety, or the actions of the individuals. The saying still runs true; look after and look out for one another, no mission is worth getting seriously hurt over, and don’t be a dick!
Gear & Safety : Runners should bring and carry with them the equivalent of Alpine Trail Event Compulsory Gear, plus first aid (insect repellant!) and nutrition. There is a high chance you will get rained on on the Milford Track. The area at the Glade Wharf finish is also exposed to elements and there is no shelter structure at this end. If you end up waiting for a boat, you will need dry warm clothes and we suggest you put them all on! There must be a PLB and/or a Garmin inReach per person/couple/break off group. If you are sharing a device, you must stay together for the entirety of the track (this is a new rule enforced by the water taxi company). It is essential for safety but also communicating delays with the water taxi as there is currently no mobile or data coverage in Milford, on the Milford Track, or at Glade Wharf. There are DOC Rangers (except on Ranger change over days) and First Aid kits at Dumpling Hut, Mintaro Hut and Clinton Hut with comms and helicopter access for medical emergencies and evacuations. Be aware, DOC and ‘Independent Hiker’ huts are open to the public, however the accommodation and sleeping quarters at the DOC Huts are for paying pre-booked hikers only. Please be respectful of DOC facilities. Huts and shelters for ‘Guided Walkers’ are also off-limits except in case of emergencies (please see ‘Huts & Shelters’ section above).
Other : Runners are responsible for the organisation, booking and payment of their own transport and accommodation to and from, and while staying in Te Anau/Fiordland. These are not part of the group arranged logistics, however once the runners are connected in the group chat, you may choose to share or arrange travel and/or accommodation with others. Questions welcome and we’ll do our best to share our local knowledge and make recommendations. Group comms is via WhatsApp and all runners are required to join.
Important : The Milford Track is a tough 54km run/hike. Runners need to ensure that running and/or hiking the track in a single day, and in the timeframe between water taxi’s, is within their capabilities. It is advisable that runners should always be in the company of at least one other. Accidents and injuries can happen, but arriving first and foremost without the required physical fitness puts other runners at risk of injury, exposure and/or missing their transport. Please have this as a consideration. Runners are unsupported and responsible for their own health and safety during the run.
Interested? If you are keen to join and share the logistics of the ‘Milford in March’ group, please subscribe to the newsletter for upcoming dates and how to jump on board.
Due to boat capacity the group will be limited to 24 max. (12 each boat out, 5pm and 7pm).
