Milford Track – 4 Day Great Walk
Day 4 : Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point
19.90km. 4hrs 39min. 246m Elev. Gain
Now well practiced at getting through our morning routine and packing out, we were on the track for our fourth and final day by 6:45am.
Following along the Arthur River, we stopped at the historic Boat Shed for a snack and after swatting sandflies for the past 40 minutes, decided enough was enough. The gloves and head-nets went on, all skin covered, the rest of the hike would be remembered for all of its features, and not these pesky small insects. That head-net…best investment ever! We could have sold ours ten times over on the track as frustrated hikers cursed the incessant insects.
On we went until we came upon the beautiful Mackay Falls. Everything is so green. And despite the lack of rain, water drips from every surface. Alongside it, Bell Rock, which you can bob down and crawl inside. Dropping our packs, in we went. Not for the claustrophobic, it’s eerie and dark, and pretty impressive that you can stand up inside (underneath?) the upturned rock.
The next section of track was along a man-made rock cut path which was pretty impressive. There were a few slips over this part of the track which made for some interesting manoeuvres to get over and around, but we managed.
The mile markers come quickly and soon Giant Gate Falls could be heard in the distance. We stopped at the shelter and again at the falls, eating quickly so as not to be in the cold and the bugs any longer than necessary. The rest of the hike now familiar trail and into a steady flow of oncoming day trippers.
Eventually the path widens into a smooth almost ‘red carpet’ like track for the final 2-3km. We take photos of the last couple of mile markers and countdown the steps to the finish. Passing the shelter at Sandfly Point, Nath wants to stop his watch at the very edge of the boat ramp. We ceremoniously high five the 33.5 mile sign and take a few more steps to our journey’s end, sharing the celebration of completion with three others from our crew that had arrived before us, and soaking in those Milford Sound/Piopiotahi views.
I have loved every minute of hiking the Milford Track with Nath (11). So lucky and grateful for the amazing weather. Zero trips, falls, scrapes or bruises were had from Team Webber too and no real issues or dramas across the four magical days at Milford. I even managed to carry my big camera across my shoulder the whole 54+ km… But I’ll be damned if I’d ever want to run that track in a single day… maybe… I don’t know… we’ll see…
