Stage 4 of the Milford Track covers 18.3 km from Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point, with 873 m of ascent and 866 m of descent. The highest point is 230 m. Allow about 6.5 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Short boat from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound wharf, run in season by RealNZ and Ultimate Hikes (sold through Tracknet) and by the Fiordland Outdoors Co water taxi. It must be booked before you start, usually with your Te Anau Downs boat.
Enclosed day shelter with toilets at the jetty at the end of the track, where walkers wait for the boat to Milford Sound (about 10 to 20 minutes). Boats leave from about 2:00 pm (water taxis from 12:00 pm) to 4:30 pm; the sandflies here are fierce.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap or in tourism guides but could not be checked on an official page. Independent walkers must sleep in Clinton, Mintaro and Dumpling huts, one night each and in that order, booked in advance for the Great Walks season (1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027). Camping is not allowed. The lodges are for Ultimate Hikes guided walkers only.
Emergency: call 111. No mobile signal on the track: carry a PLB. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.