Milford Sound Travel Forum

Hi
My husband and I are going to hike the Milford Track in May but it seems a lot of transport companies don't have scheduled transport 'out of season'. Can anyone recommend a transport company that will take us from Queenstown to the start of the track? I found one transport company (Topline Tours) who advise that their service operates between Queenstown and Te Anau only (departing Queenstown at 2pm), but we need to get to Te Anau Downs and then get boat transport to the start of the track.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

You will find transport to the start of the track in Te Anau. You can take the bus from Te Anau to Te Anau Downs (Tracknet; http://coachnewzealand.com/TrackNet.html), then the ferry (Real Journeys and Sindbad Cruises).

All transportation info here:
http://www.fiordland.org.nz/Explore-Fiordland/Things-to-do/Walking---Hiking/Hiking-Tracks/Milford-Track.asp#Access

Hi Kakapo2

Thanks for the info. I managed to get hold of Kiwi Discovery who do a daily service from Queenstown to Te Anau and then Milford to Queenstown.

Tracknet said they can do: Te Anau to Te Anua Downs, then boat to start of track and then boat/kayak from end of track to Milford and bus back to Te Anau. They charge $160pp which I thought seemed quite expensive.

A lot of the other companies are not operating in the 'off season'. I think it was Infotrack that mentioned Sinbad Cruises but the email address they gave me wasn't valid and I haven't had a chance to look it up, but I will do.

Thanks for the website addresses. I will check them out.

Cheers

Unfortunately tourists are ripped off at many places, the Milford Track is one of them :-(

Personally I don't see it as being ripped off. There are many many expenses in running a tourist orientated business in this country and many days when the business is not operating due to bad weather.
Transport is an expensive part of travelling in NZ, we just don't have the infrastructure and population to have cheap stuff. And when someone does start up a cheap service, I read complaints of discomfort etc. Also safety issues then rear their ugly head.

I share your view on why transportation is or can be expensive in NZ. However, I wonder why it is so expensive at places where lots of tourists go, and not more expensive or even cheaper at less visited places. I only have the word rip-off for that.

The same applies to tourist attractions, like Whale Watch and the Antarctic Centre.

Hmm I hadn't noticed services being cheaper at less visited places. OH well :-)