A Taste of the Milford Track
Located in Fiordland, southwest of Milford Sound, the Milford Track is renowned for its stunning scenery. While the full multiday trek can be challenging to book, a day walk to Giant Gate Falls offers a glimpse of its beauty. This shorter trip allows you to experience the lush landscapes and impressive waterfalls without the commitment of the entire track.
Starting Your Journey
To begin your adventure, head to Deepwater Basin in Milford Sound. From the Milford Sound Highway, drive to the end of Freshwater Basin Road. Park your vehicle and locate the boat ramp, which is situated before the small wharf and marina berths. Here, you can catch a water taxi to Sandfly Bay, the track's endpoint. It's advisable to start early. Check with Fiordland Outdoors for bookings.
Walking to Giant Gate Falls
The water taxi ride across Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Bay takes just a few minutes. Upon arrival, you'll find facilities and information panels. The walk to Giant Gate Falls is a 5.1 km journey on a well-maintained gravel track. The path is relatively easy, with gentle inclines and declines, and takes a little over an hour to complete. Along the way, you'll pass through pristine rainforest featuring kōtukutuku (native fuchsia trees) and may even spot rare native orchids in bloom.
The track offers picturesque views of the Arthur River, Lake Ada, and the Sheredon Hills. Despite their name, the "hills" include prominent peaks like Odyssey Peak (1,821 metres) and Mount Ada (1,881 metres). A boardwalk section crosses an old slip, revealing several beautiful waterfalls cascading from Devil's Armchair after rain. However, the peak's summit, at 1,627 metres, remains out of view.
Discovering Giant Gate Falls
Giant Gate Falls is a stunning 30-metre waterfall. A swingbridge in front of the falls provides the best vantage point. On the opposite side of the bridge, you'll find a shelter and ample space beside the river for a picnic, even during busy times. The falls create a breeze, making the sandflies more tolerable on the beach compared to the shelter area.
Returning to Sandfly Bay
After enjoying the falls, retrace your steps back to Sandfly Bay. The water taxi operates continuously in the afternoon, so you may need to wait 10 to 15 minutes for pick-up. Be prepared for sandflies while you wait, as the bay is aptly named. Ensure you are aware of the last pick-up time to avoid missing your ride back, especially if you plan to take an afternoon boat trip in the sounds.
Other multi-hour walks near Milford Sound include Lake Marian on the Lower Hollyford Road and the walk to Key Summit or Earland Falls on the Routeburn Track from the Divide.
