It's the quick and the dead on booking day for Fiordland's premiere tramping route. All 22320 bunks have filled up across the 186 day season.
According to the Otago Times the Milford Track filled with hikers in under 14 minutes, as the 30th Great Walk season officially opens.
"The Milford Track in particular always has very high demand," says Ross Shearer, DoC's Booking Service Manager.
After two seasons of closed borders and domestic-only access to the network, trampers were joined by international bookers, trying to secure bunks on New Zealand's best-known hike.
Milford broke records last year, booking out in under 15 minutes for the first time. The added pressure from international bookings has only upped competition for the famous Fiordland hike.
"One country I'd expect to see a lift from is Australia," says Shearer. "As our closest neighbours, the access is so much easier."
The Great Walk Season runs from September 2022 to April 2023, by which time borders are expected to be fully open to the rest of the world.
With leisure travellers from 60 additional countries now free to enter the country, there is the potential of walkers logging on from even further afield to secure their summer hiking plans.
Click here for the full story and here for more info on the Milford Track.