I just tried to reserve a spot in the huts on Milford Track for a trip to NZ in Nov/Dec and learned that the next available date was in February. Oops. Is there a secondary market for these reservations, and if not, am I out of luck or are there camping options?

I'm going to be very disappointed if I can't take this walk .

Thanks, Matt

If your prepared to go in a multishare dorm room you may be in luck on this sight:
https://www.ultimatehikes.co.nz/mt_home.asp

Worth a go. - they are guided so prob not what you were looking for - but maybe better than not going at all??

I know there is definately no camping though.

Definitely no camping! We drove all the way to Milford Sound from almost Queenstown just to find out there's no camping and the cruise tours were really expensive. So even though the drive was beautiful, we were a little disappointed. We ended up staying the night at a campground in Gunn Country, way off the beaten path. And weird. And FULL of sandflies! Brutal! I wouldn't actually suggest Milford Sound, I found other parts of NZ even more spectacular, but I also didn't do the cruise which is apparently very worthwhile.

Ben

="Matthew RiceI'm going to be very disappointed if I can't take this walk

Looks like you're in for a disappointment then Matty - these huts get booked several months in advance.

As an alternative, you could try the Banks Peninsula Track

="Ben2AfricaAnd FULL of sandflies! Brutal!

It isn't just Milford where the sandflies are, although there is Sandlfy Point ...however, you can get eaten alive by the little buggers elsewhere - try Queenstown. I was covered in them, the bites itch for weeks. Someone I met got attacked by them in Christchurch of all places.

Just make sure you use insect repellent and you should be alright.

Kia Ora.

If you can't get reservations on the Milford Track, I would highly recommend hiking on the ROUTEBURN TRACK. It offers a comparably beautiful (if topographically different) landscape. Just great stuff!!

Tent camping is also allowed on the Routeburn, although I would suggest using the huts.


random image pulled from a Google Image Search for Routeburn Track

Thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely check out Routeburn track...looks gorgeous. I'll also check out the guided hike. My concern with the guided hikes is that they are quite expensive for something that is relatively low cost to do on your own. Have any of you had experience with the suggested company "Ultimate Hikes" or other guided hiking trips?

One last question -- do I understand right that it is not worth rearranging my trip to be able to do the track in either early November or late February? I have a lot of flexibility in my timing, so I could do it if it would be worth it.

Cheers,

Matt

Matthew Rice wrote:My concern with the guided hikes is that they are quite expensive for something that is relatively low cost to do on your own.

My sentiments exactly. There appears to be a monopoly on certain tracks' guided hikes that is held by Ultimate Hikes. They charge a lot. It is a choice between paying an arm and a leg to walk and have a place to lay your head and give you a hot meal, or paying a reasonable price, but bringing all of your own gear to camp and cook. That is quite a proposition if you are coming from the States. I decided to just do day hikes in the Fiordlands area, and to go on a 3 day tramp in Abel Tasman which was much more reasonably priced. I'll let you know in February how this worked out.

Lizzie B. wrote:... It is a choice between paying an arm and a leg to walk and have a place to lay your head and give you a hot meal, or paying a reasonable price, but bringing all of your own gear to camp and cook. That is quite a proposition if you are coming from the States.

For what it's worth, when I was in NZ in 2005, there were several outfitters in Te Anau (main hiking town for Fjordland area) that rented backpacking gear including Sleeping Bags, Backpacks, Stoves, etc. So going without a guide doesn't necessarily mean that one must haul gear over from another continent. Especially useful if you're on a RTW trip, and only camping in NZ.

I would also comment that most of the trails in NZ are exceedingly well maintained and well marked. Especially on the "Great Walks" where you simply cannot get lost. So think of "guide services" as expensive sherpas, and not guides.