This is the last day of real walking on the Milford Track, as when we reach Sandfly Point at the other end a boat takes us across Milford Sound to our (luxurious) accommodation. Tomorrow we relax with a short cruise up and down the sound, before boarding the bus for the trip back to Queenstown.
We were very lucky with our weather. We crossed hundreds of little streams and dry stream beds which would have been much deeper after rain. In very wet conditions you have to a lot more wading, and at times the track can become impassable. In 2011 for example, they helicoptered about 170 walkers over part of the track. On our trip one woman hurt her knee, so was helicoptered over the last section to Milford.
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| A new boardwalk saves wet-weather walkers from having to wade across this stretch. |
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| The "Boat House" is the oldest still-standing hut on the track. Stopped for a cuppa. |
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| 25 miles (40 km) down. Only 8.5 miles (13.7 km) to go! |
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| Half the track fallen into the river. It must require constant maintenance! |
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| This part of the track was hacked out of the rock. |
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| Thirty miles. I think we're going to make it! |
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| This weka kept a close lookout for crumbs as we ate our lunch. |
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| Sandfly Point. Finally! This is the photo everyone walks the Milford Track for. |
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| Our ferry across to Milford village. They had a larger one, but it sank. |
