Milford Sound Travel Forum

Hi there,
my husband and me and two other girl-friends are planning a self-drive trip to the south island for 16 days in November. We have read about a few popular walks and are thinking of including either the Milford Track or the Routeburn Track. However all the girls have no prior tracking experience, we really need some advice before we embark on our journey, so our questions are:

1. for those who have done it before (i mean tracking), do u think it's a good idea for us to even try it?

2. Which track would you recommend? Milfrod or Routeburn?

3. what do you think of the Milford sound cruise as compared to the Milford Track? you know... the girls are thinking of the easier way, (sh... better don't let my husband know, he's so looking forward to it) , are we going to miss out a lot if we just go for the cruise?

We really appreciate you taking time to read and answer these queries.

Thanks a lot!
Jann

Kia ora
Perhaps I shouldn't be offering advice -- I have done neither track-- but I have gained the impression that the Milford Track almost needs traffic lights! That is, it is a beautiful area,but by no means a physically challenging walk for those who are of average fitness.
Don't be so lazy!!!! Walk it, and if you want, do a cruise as well. I am sure you will find it worth while. Get your pals walking a bit each day before you get here and you'll all be fine!
Enjoy!

Hi there,
Well I've done the Milford, so can comment on that one. I am incredibly unfit, talked about training before, but of course never got around to it. I am fairly agile all the same, not too overweight. Well anyway, I just walked at my own pace, and was last in every day. I used the fact I am a keen photographer to stop regularly to take pics (I have the BEST pics of everybody on our walk!) and also it was an opportunity to rest. There is plenty of time to walk slowly, and no real benefit to race ahead and get in first.
Some went on extra side walks at the huts, which I did not participate in because I was too unfit. No big deal.
There are parts of the track that are challenging, I found the downhill part the worst on my legs. But going at my own pace was the best idea. Some places the track is wide and flat and other places it is rocky and difficult. Good boots not too heavy, are essential.
The Milford Sound is entirely different to the Milford Track. I recommend what we did, walk the track and finish with a night on the boat Milford Wanderer, which cruises the Sound and you get to rest and recover. The bunks were fine and the food amazing. Waking up on the Sound was amazing too. But you can't match one against the other, The track is in mountains and you are walking, the Cruise is on water in the Sound.
Feel free to email me with specific questions if you want.
good luck,
Pam.

Pam,
Is it worth doing both the walk and the cruise? I've read about Doubtful Sound, and that it may be better than Milford. Any knowledge?
Cheers, Brandon

I’ve been to both Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Yes I’ve heard visitors say Doubtful is better than Milford, but I’m not sure I agree. I feel visitors say that mainly because they are adverse to crowds and Milford seems to have many tourboats and people around. Milford has the beautiful Mitre Peak to view so easily, provided the weather is good. You don’t even need to get out onto the water to see it. And in general the sides of Milford Sound (the cliffs) are taller and more spectacular than those of Doubtful Sound. Doubtful has more “arms” than Milford from memory, but I doubt you will have time to explore all these, and really they are more of the same.
As for the cruise, I went on the Milford Wanderer, and can thoroughly recommend that. We stayed a night, but had just walked the Milford Track for 4 days, so the hot showers and bunks of the boat were a real treat! We cruised out to the mouth of the sound, however the weather was quite bad so we didn’t stay there too long.
I really feel these there is no great difference, apart from the number of tourists, to these two places, so it is for you to chose. Seeing Mitre Peak, in my opinion, is worth going to Milford. Yes, take a cruise if you have time, see the dolphins if you are lucky and get a feel for the fjords.
Hope this helps, it's always hard to advise people, as personal opinions are so differing.
sounds like you're headed down here! Great!
Pam.

Hi Pam, thanks for the info and your encouraging words. Hmm, we are now more confident to try the walk.

By the way, were you on a guided walk or as an independent walker? We are planning to go as independent walkers, what facilities are there for cooking your own meals? Are the huts warm enough during Nov? Coming from the equator, I can't really tolerate cold weather.

After tracking we will be spending another week touring the rest of the island, is it a peak period during the first 2 weeks of Nov? is it alright that we do not pre-book our accommodations?

And also what do you think of taking the hot air balloon? do you have any recommendations?

Thanks a lot!
Jann

We were independent walkers, but we had guides (it was a special trip). There are burners only at the huts. And the huts are very basic. It didn't get cold when we were there, but Nov can be cold some times. South Island can be very cold any time of year, so you need warm clothes anyway. As an independent walker you need to carry all your cooking facilities. There are limited burners and lots of people, so some carry their own burners too.
First 2 weeks of Nov is not peak. Of course you need to book the Milford Track, but I doubt you need to have your accommodation booked then for other places.
I'll try to find some photos of inside the huts and email to you.

Oh I recommend you take the balloon flight from Methven which is west of Christchurch. You will get to view the lovely Southern Alps, and that will be spectacular.

http://www.nzballooning.co.nz/

Hi Pam,
That Milford Track guided hike is expensive: $1500+! Is that really worth it? Better to do solo?
Cheers, Brandon

Hi Jann,

have you guys booked the milford track? we are also going on nov 17. what dates are you guys?

Hi Pam,

my friend and I are booked for Milford Track this nov 17. My friend is worried that she's going to have her period during the track. Do you think that there is sufficient hygienic facilities for her?

Hi Jann,

Learned that you'd be going to south nz in nov. My friend and I are also planning to be in south NZ from 7 - 22nd nov. We are wondering if you, your husband and your friends are also planning to raft while you were in nz. we're thinking of doing a full day rafting trip on the west coast river and we found out that the costs would lower significantly if 6 or more people sign up

would you be interested? i thought we could compare notes/itineraries.

Tanto

Hi Jann,

Learned that you'd be going to south nz in nov. My friend and I are also planning to be in south NZ from 7 - 22nd nov. We are wondering if you, your husband and your friends are also planning to raft while you were in nz. we're thinking of doing a full day rafting trip on the west coast river and we found out that the costs would lower significantly if 6 or more people sign up

Tanto

Tanto,
Are you booked on the guided or unguided Milford trip?
Either way the track facilities are fine, not 5 star, but certainly hygienic enough and many many women have done it with their period. Us girls have a certain responsibility for our own hygiene, but it's no harder to maintain on the Milford Track.
hope you enjoy it!
Pam.