• On the Milford Track.
    On the Milford Track.
  • A sublime day on the Milford Track.
    A sublime day on the Milford Track.
  • Always come prepared for wet weather.
    Always come prepared for wet weather.
  • The winding trail up to Mackinnon Pass on day three of the Milford Track walk. Photo: Brent McKean.
    The winding trail up to Mackinnon Pass on day three of the Milford Track walk. Photo: Brent McKean.
  • Mackinnon Pass, seen from the Milford Track near the St Quintin Falls. Photo: AlasdairW CC Wikimedia.
    Mackinnon Pass, seen from the Milford Track near the St Quintin Falls. Photo: AlasdairW CC Wikimedia.
  • The sign says it all.
    The sign says it all.
  • The memorial to explorer Quintin Mckinnon at the top of the pass.
    The memorial to explorer Quintin Mckinnon at the top of the pass.
  • The hut on top of McKinnon Pass.
    The hut on top of McKinnon Pass.
  • One of the many bridge crossingd in the Clinton Valley.
    One of the many bridge crossingd in the Clinton Valley.
  • Day three on the Milford Track offers many highlights.
    Day three on the Milford Track offers many highlights.
  • The zig-zagging trail up to Mackinnon Pass offers amazing views back down the Clinton Valley.
    The zig-zagging trail up to Mackinnon Pass offers amazing views back down the Clinton Valley.
  • The memorial to Quintin McKinnon on top of the pass.
    The memorial to Quintin McKinnon on top of the pass.
  • One of the side tracks on the walk.
    One of the side tracks on the walk.
  • On top of McKinnon Pass on the Milford Track, one of NZ's currently nine Great Walks.
    On top of McKinnon Pass on the Milford Track, one of NZ's currently nine Great Walks.
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Milford Track books out as tourists return

4 May 2022
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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.

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