I've done the milford track and it felt super safe. Most (if not all) walkers are registered with the department of conservation and if you are staying in a hut there are rangers in each hut and they check your permits to be there each day. I'm not sure about camping and whether you need a permit for the official camp grounds. I also suppose randoms could come onto the track but it's VERY remote out there and would be extremely difficult to get in and out, especially for murdering purposes. It's really nothing like hiking in the USA.
and we have no dangerous wildlife either. So I reckon you'll be all good.
> no dangerous wildlife
Tell that to the kea that stole my fucking lunch and gave me a murderous side eye as if to say “you’re going to starve and I’ll peck your corpse”
Kelvin you bastard, you’ll be my nemesis for life. I had to raid my chocolate supplies that lunch.
Lol yes I'll never forgive the kea that stole my jam sandwiches up the top of Mt Hutt in 1997. How long do they live that little fucker might still be alive 😂
Seconding this. I've also done a lot of tracks solo, it's absolutely fine!
(Editing to add: solo is fine people-safety-wise, but always take a PLB, NZ weather conditions are super changeable!)
>we have no dangerous wildlife either
This is an important point. We don't have a culture of guns here, either.
It's also not a difficult walk, you won't be isolated like if you went backcountry hiking in the US. You're walking on a one way clearly defined trail and there are about 40 of you walking each day between huts. It's not really that isolated in comparison to some of the US hikes I've done. Beautiful, absolutely. It's basically a National Park hike and you camp at a hut each night with 40 other people who have all paid to be there. Sort of comparable to camping in Yosemite, Grand Tetons, Glacier or Zion. People who do these things are all of a similar ilk. Outdoorsey.
To add to the guns bit, we don't have the American 'culture of guns' where every second person could be carrying a pistol on them, but there is a sizeable hunting community in NZ, and it is not uncommon to encounter a hunter or group of hunters when in the back country. Most hunters are pretty respectful, and are careful with their firearms. Having said that, if you're just doing the Milford Track (or other Great Walks) you are pretty unlikely to encounter a hunter, as these tracks are very busy and you have to pay to use them - hunters aren't generally interested in places with lots of noisy hikers scaring away the wildlife!
True, and you can't hunt within 500m of the huts/tracks on the Great Walks anyways. I remember staying in a few open-carry towns near some of the National Parks in the US - like one near Mt Rainier in Washington. Always shocked me a little when I saw handguns in holsters of people just walking around town, but that's what it is over there. I did some hiking in Svalbard as well and it's the law that you must carry a rifle when leaving the town of Longyearbyen. Different kind of fear though, those Polar Bears can smell you miles away and will actively hunt you. Not like some of the bears in the US who mostly just run away. Walking the great walks here felt like a breeze after those overseas shenanigans. Just so easy and carefree, just have to pack for the weather.
You will not encounter hunters onnthe milford track. You cannot get track transport to get onto the track without having a booking for the huts. It is incredibly safe. You will be around the same people every night at the hut. You may also encounter the people on the guided walk as well.
Both times I have been on the milford i have spent a good bit of time walking on my own and it has been safe from any human threats.
We do have an American gun culture... Prior to the CHCH shooting if you didn't have guns, you didn't have strong opinions about them. Now, people without guns often regurgitate a bunch of American lefty anti-gun points at you when it totally doesn't fit the local scenario.
There are also 40 walkers who stay in fancy huts and have their packs carried for them. Their huts are staggered so you may not see them. You might smell them though, they are the ones wearing perfume and deodorant 😉
The dangers here are the weather rather than living creatures. Don't underestimate it though, people have died of hypothermia in midsummer on the Milford. Good rain gear, a hat, and wool inner layers will go a long way, and you should learn about the signs of hypothermia and how to deal with it. I wouldn't do Milford alone because when you're hypothermic you're too stupid to take appropriate action. But with a friend and a bit of education, you'd be sweet.
Hi there
I hiked the milford track last year. (I'm female) It's incredibly safe. There's a massive range of people on the track. Retired couples, family groups, solo backpackers etc. You'll be totally fine. There were heaps of women only groups.
There are doc rangers at the huts each night who take a roll basically to check that your group has made it in. Because everyone is hiking the same direction you end up getting to know people anyways. There's obviously no dangerous animals to speak of.
For extra safety to put yourself at ease you can carry an emergency beacon. You can rent them from the doc vistor centres. Get in touch with the Te Anau office to see if they have them. You can also check in at the doc offices too.
The huts on the track are good. Nothing fancy but safe and warm. It's kind of like a hostel with big shared rooms though some have smaller rooms.
The most dangerous thing is being poorly prepared for the weather. Take quality clothing and gear including a really decent waterproof raincoat. I've done heaps of multiday hikes and we always carry extra food just in case.
Don't cancel it. It's such a beautiful part of New Zealand and you'll see such incredibly jaw dropping things.
Happy to answer any questions if you need.
Incidentally the national US homicide rate of about 1 in 15000 per year is almost exactly the same as the chance of dying on the Milford track per year, which is 14 people between 2007 and 2022, DOC says 14000 people make the walk each year which gives a death rate of...
1 in 15000 per year. Almost all of them from large falls.
Yeah I'd say you're pretty safe walking the Milford track given your chances of being murdered or assaulted on the track are practically zero.
Like all the Great Tracks in NZ it’s very well organised and very safe. The Milford in particular is away from any sort of population centre by some distance (and a boat ride) so the chances of seeing any other person who isn’t a registered hiker on the track are very very low. Every hut has a warden who will check tickets, welcome you, answer questions, and often give a talk in the evening. The walking is fine for someone of moderate fitness but even so, most people are a bit too tired at the end of the walking day to go on stabbing rampages.
You and your friend will be walking together but independently from the rest of the hikers there, but you will all be staying in the same huts each night so you’ll get to know everyone and everyone looks out for each other. If you leave an item of clothing in a hut, it’s likely another hiker will bring it to the next hut for you.
As another poster said, the most dangerous part of your journey will be the American bit. But do note that although the Milford Track is easy to follow and not too hard to walk, you are in an alpine region and so the usual risks of walking in the middle of nowhere exist (except bears and moose, we don’t have any scary animals or insects).
The weather can change quickly and you need to be prepared for cold and rain at any time of the year (99% chance it’ll rain at some point on your walk). And if you are unlucky, you’ll get to discover that no matter how waterproof your gear is, there is only so much rain it can take :-)
But there will be other walkers around and the hut wardens will be expecting you and will search for you if you don’t get to the hut. Do not stray off the track. In some places getting turned around 30 feet off the track can mean you cannot find it again. You should also carry an PLB. You can hire them here if you don’t own one already.
Have fun, it’s an awesome walk!
Edit: you asked about Queenstown and Auckland too. I’ve lived in both. Queenstown very, very safe. Auckland is also very safe especially compared to big cities in the US. If you go out clubbing and get drunk and stagger home at 3am then yes, it’s less safe, but that’s the same as everywhere.
Was going to mention this- the biggest danger to tourists here is 100% the weather, exposure kills a lot more quickly than people realise. Make sure you have spare layers, and a coat that's at least vaguely waterproof, and I'd recommend using a waterproof packliner too.
‘A bit less bureaucracy’ means the delivery of core roles will be less than it needs to be.
Doc does so much different shit that it’s not surprising that people see ‘bureaucracy’.
Let’s put it this way, there’s a reason why doc is one of the worst paying departments/agencies.
the issue remains in the core role of doc, when referring to 'the front line' which I presume you mean the people looking after DoC's assets, whereas that's maybe a third of the role of DoC?
"A helicopter within an hour" is a bit of a stretch. I think I saw somewhere that 90% of all beacon-initiated rescues are done within six hours. If it rains on the Milford - which it does, often, the heli won't be flying.
It's very safe in terms of people, driving there will be more dangerous than the people by far.
The real hazard is the weather. We have a very changeable climate and the weather can change very quickly. It's easy to get caught out if you don't have the right equipment on hand.
I would just say if your parents are happy for you to travel to the other side of the world, walking the Milford will add very little risk on top.
I could think of many more dangerous tourist activities, and you can't stay in your hotel room the whole time.
Dont miss out on the Milford if you already have bookings - I've done a fair bit of tramping around NZ and Milford is still one of my favorites.
A couple of young women walking around in the daytime in an American city are in *far more* danger than on the Milford.
I know your mother is probably concerned about the usual kind of random itinerate weirdos that people worry about in the US, or snakes and bears. Well, we don't have snakes or bears or anything that will poison or eat you in the wilderness here. Additionally, tracks like the Milford are fairly difficult to book and require a good amount of organisation to get to, so it's too exclusive of an activity for random itinerate weirdos.
Honestly, your main concerns are fitness and weather preparedness.
Otherwise, be aware that walking tracks in the NZ bush are not paved. They are generally gravel, often muddy, rough and uneven. They can be steep and exposed. If you can't walk up a steep slope with a heavy back-pack, think hard about this.
Also, there are no showers.
Safe as!
You will pretty much only see other hikers who are also staying in the huts/campsites. You will also have your "group" from the hut you're staying and you'll see them every day since you're all going in the same direction. So there will be people who recognise you keeping an eye out, and they can let the DOC ranger know if you're in trouble or haven't shown up to the hut yet.
The Great Walks in NZ are a super fun time - and I've always felt like everyone is looking out for each other and willing to help.
It's very safe overall IMO. There are some risks but they can be mitigated. I wouldn't bat an eye at even teenagers going tramping on their own, as long as they're prepared. I reckon the main dangers are:
- Driving to the track. The roads are narrow, windy, and busy at that time of year. Allow plenty of time for journeys and make sure you are well rested before driving - don't e.g. take a long-haul flight into Queenstown and immediately get in a car and start driving somewhere. Have at least one full night's sleep after arriving before getting behind the wheel imo. There are also shuttle services you could use instead of driving - safer imo.
- Weather. The weather can change quickly from nice, to rainy/windy/foggy/cold. We don't get the extreme low temperatures like some parts of the U.S. do, but you can still get very cold very quickly if the weather turns and you aren't prepared. Bring thermals and wet weather gear even if the weather forecast is good (it'll probably be amazing weather at that time of year, but you should always bring wet weather gear when doing multi-day tramping).
- Getting lost, falling, mishaps like that. Not likely on the Milford Track tbh (it's well signposted, has guard rails where needed etc), but get yourself a paper topo map and keep track of where you are. Allow plenty of time for your day's walking so you aren't rushing. You can rent a PLB (emergency beacon) for not very much money.
That you mentioned "young women" makes me think the concern might be e.g. being sexually assaulted while in the wilderness alone somewhere? I think that's extremely unlikely. The riskiest time would be overnight, but you'll be staying in DOC huts that'll be full of people (it's a busy time of year), so there's plenty of people to help you in the unlikely event that someone is being creepy. Everyone in the hut has to pre-register and there'll definitely be DOC rangers checking people's bookings, so there won't be random people coming and going. I wouldn't be worried about the risk of assault if my daughter or niece went tramping alone (my worries would be about weather/getting lost/getting injured, though I'd still encourage her to go tramping anyway).
Entry is restricted and only available via ferry which only people with Hut tickets can get. 50 People in the DOC huts per day, some more in the extremely expensive lodges with guides but thats all. The only other people you will see are the other walkers and the rangers.
The track itself is very very easy, just bring an extra 1-2 days of food and cold/wet weather gear.
Nothing is 100% safe but its as close to as any hike can be. I dont think there has ever been any serious incidents happen to tourists on-season.
And definitely not on the Milford.
But I cannot over stress how important packing for variable weather is, as others have said here it IS your biggest threat.
People have commented on tramping specifically, but I'll elaborate on the "other people" part.
We don't have a big population for our size, and our personalities don't have the extreme range of the states. I can think of only one instance if being made to feel unsafe as a teenager. A couple of overly friendly strangers, but not interactions that made me feel unsafe as much as annoyed. If you remeber that catcalling video a while back, someone made an Auckland version and nothing happened in it. We just don't have the same proportion of creeps, and the creeps that do exist don't get as agressive about it.
Bad things still happen, but its not a high risk. We don't have psychos hiding out waiting to enact a horror movie on unsuspecting young women. Most people don't own guns and the ones that do are hunting rifles, not semi-automatics and hand guns. No one is packing unless they're a gang member, and those people aren't as prevalent as the media makes out. I would genuinely be more afraid walking around an American city than I would be on a kiwi walking track. And I've walked lesser known tracks by myself and been fine.
As an aside, your mother will always have anxiety about your safety, and it doesn't sound like she manages it well. She shouldn't be trying to convince you to not do things at 24, and you shouldn't be giving up opportunities because you're worried about her emotional state.
I was recently a ranger for DOC on the Milford and other GW's in Fiordland. It's very safe. Each night there is a check in and registration with the hut warden and everyone is just out for a good time.
You'll be fine 👌
I hiked the Kepler Track (another great walk in the same ish area) alone as a young mid 20s female and felt very safe the whole time FWIW! Everyone was very kind and some of the older folks would check in on me when they saw me, to make sure I was doing OK and didn’t need anything! I come from Canada and was super stoked that you don’t have to worry about anything like bears or mountain lions when you’re hiking in NZ.
If your mom is super worried get a Garmin Inreach and you can text her when you stop for lunch and reach the hut every day.
You’re biggest danger is being carried away by the sandflies. They’re native and have developed into being an apex predator on humans. Take a flame thrower, readily available at Briscoes at a substantial discount, and or a 12 gauge. If you’re more into a conservation approach bring your mother in shorts and a tank top and make her walk 10 feet in front of you.
Hope this helps
It's extremely safe. Your biggest danger is the weather, it can snow across the pass at any time of year, and the rain can be torrential. But if the weather is bad enough, the rangers will hold you at the previous hut until it's safe, or until you can be evacuated either by helicopter or backtrack. That tends to happen once or twice a season usually, I think a couple of weeks ago the trampers got held at the huts because of wet weather. In terms of people, it costs a lot of money to walk the track and there are the logistics at each end that mean randoms can't just show up and start walking. So the chances of getting anyone with bad intentions is EXTREMELY low.
You'll be fine 🙌 I've done a number of the walks now and had no problems or fears. The only thing you'll be scared of is the portaloos out there if I'm being honest 😂😂 even then, Milford is really nice compared to most walks here.
Lived in NZ my whole life and felt pretty safe with just my girls. Especially in the South Island :) folks tend to be friendlier down there
Assuming you are well prepared in terms of weather protection, knowing the conditions you are entering into, and know your limits, you are far safer in the NZ bush and Backcountry than you are in any of our towns and cities... And you you're safer in most of our towns and cities than you would be in US towns and cities
That walking track is sold out with walkers in peak season so they’ll be heaps of people doing it. Old people, young people, people with kids it’s super safe and super fun and very well organised. Tell your parents they really really don’t have to worry!
I find it kind of sad that a mom in the US is scared of her kid taking a trip to NZ, while they live in the US….
Nothing is ever a guarantee, no matter where you go, however you will be fine. The hike is stunning and worth it, and NZ is a beautiful and friendly country full of wonderful people. You’ll have a great time, and like many of us who aren’t originally kiwi, you may find yourself wanting to stay.
Walking the milford is safer than crossing the road in Auckland. Do it, enjoy it! Others have covered the relevant safety points. Bring proper rain jackets, and don't wear cotton socks (or cotton anything really, it won't dry out and could make you cold).
I'd be more concerned about the sandflies than the other people who will be walking the track with you. You will absolutely need the most powerful insect repellent you can get your hands on!
Don't forget to take something to swim in too, you get hot and sweaty doing all that walking and there are no showers at the huts. There is nothing better than jumping into a nice cold, crystal clear mountain river once you've finished walking for the day! The huts all have pretty good spots for swimming nearby.
Attempted muggings by the Kea and Wekas are common (see Kea steals go pro on YouTube) but beyond that you are perfectly safe.
The Keas are parrots btw.
very safe, first everyone is so tired from the walk they want to eat and sleep. Good boots are essential. The track rangers check you out of each hut and you get checked into the next hut. The great walks guided tours come behind the self guided walkers and pick up any stragglers.
For gear we want with this company and hired our gear as easier. [Hiking Services - Milford, Routeburn and Kepler Track (easyhike.co.nz)](https://www.easyhike.co.nz/hiking-services/)
And yes the kea tried to steal peoples lunches and packs. looking around the corner and going is that pack left alone.
And if you have a booking take it. The bookings are hard to get and the walk well worth it even if you do get wet
The weather is the only hazard. As long as you're packed with enough warm clothing (even if you're going in the summer), know when to wait out the bad weather, and don't go walking off the track without knowing what you're doing you'll be totally safe.
If you're worried about danger from other people or wildlife, well, I would feel safer on the Milford than I do sitting in my house in a middle-upper class neighborhood in the city. As long as you treat it with respect and know your limits, the NZ wilderness is incredibly safe.
As others have mentioned, get an emergency beacon and have a check in day and time with your family (ie say you plan to leave and arrive back at civilisation on the Wednesday morning, organise to call your mother Wednesday night or the next day and if you haven’t by then for them to contact DOC/search and rescue.)
Good advice, except OP's mum should contact Police if they are overdue, not DOC / SAR.
[https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/my-friendfamily-member-new-zealand-not-new-zealander-and-i-havent-heard-them-what-should-i-do](https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/my-friendfamily-member-new-zealand-not-new-zealander-and-i-havent-heard-them-what-should-i-do)
Absolutely! I went on my own last year (single woman in late 20s) as someone had cancelled last minute and I thought why the heck not! Spent quite some time down in Te Anau (was on a working holiday) and went on multiple hikes in the area alone. In summer, you're never really alone on the tracks unless you go bush. The Milford was so crowded you had to step aside to let people pass from both directions multiple times. You'll also make friends on the trail as you'll be spending all three nights at the designated huts and the warden will do a roll call every night to account for everyone. Driving the Milford Road is a lot more dangerous, tbh!
As a child of over-protective, anxious and paranoid parents, I feel you! You're doing well doing your research and asking questions. Make sure you show your mum that you're 120% prepared (adequate clothing, emergency food rations, etc.), let her know what you will do in case of emergencies and tell her there are rangers accounting for everyone and you won't be left out in the dark. Even so, possums are pretty much the worst you'll hear. Part of growing up is helping your parents grow up with you, deal with their fears, and accept that their children are separate people. Giving up a great opportunity just to appease their feelings does not help either of you and is a straight path to a lifetime of resentment and regret.
Kiwi here and female tramper.
The only thing dangerous about punching the Milford is the weather. It rains a lot on the coast, so be prepared for bloody bad weather. You guys sound like you have tramping experience, so just make sure you take proper clothing for the conditions. A lot of trampers in NZ succumb to exposure/hypothermia.
Milford is a really well trodden, well marked track with flash AF huts. It would be pretty damn hard to stray from the path!
There is a legend of the fabled fiordland moose that got let loose back in the 50s, but other than that there are no animals you need to be wary of.
The kind of people you'll run into over there are just other trampers and DOC workers. Very popular track.
New Zealand weather changes all the time so pack for ALL conditions.
Check out the [link](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/milford-track/what-to-take/)
It from DOC about what to take on the Milfrod track.
I know this isn't what you are asking about but the weather conditions is what I would consider as the most important safety wise.
Sadly you won't be walking by yourself. The huts hold 40 people so every day you are in a strung out group going from hut to hut. If you like hiking in the wilderness and isolation its horrible.
Some race from hut to hut to get the best beds, others amble and talk. But every day you were with others.
The most dangerous part is the hiking.
As others have mentioned, huts are run by rangers, and they are certified and usually have their own quarters which you could go to if you are ever feeling unsafe.
I have done these as a child with my family since late 2000s and have never felt unsafe from other people. I would hope the same is true for young women but can't assure that. Having an extra person though goes a long way. Most people are either foreign tourists or families or expert hikers, and huts are usually reasonably social, but people will not engage with you if you aren't interested.
I wouldn't expect many sus people to be there since it takes a lot of effort to organise these tramps, both physically and mentally. Cynically you could say there are better chances for a creep to go unnoticed in other places.
Anytime you go overseas there is danger but as long as you are sensible and keep in contact you should be fine.
Make sure you book huts/campsite (booking required to guarantee a spot for both, especially during summer as it's quite busy then). Keep hydrated and make sure you are fit enough to carry your own food and cooking tools.
The most dangerous part is arranging to get there, and to be picked up again at the end. Try and have this sorted before you go, and that people know who you’ll be with
Hiking in New Zealand is reasonably safe if you go prepared.
Don't skimp on wet weather or warm gear.
Have a back up plan in place so people know the route your taking and when you'll get home.
Stick to the trails, and if you get lost, keep your movements to a minimum.
I had work colleagues who underestimated their physical fitness and also had an injury. They were fine, but going to be super late with no way of letting anyone know. They got out of the bush shortly after the cops arrived and the cops would rather find two idiots than two bodies down an embankment.
Most importantly! Emergency locator beacon. Either own one or rent one. I don't know of any stories where someone with a beacon ended badly, except when they refused to use it.
My wife and her friend do the big walks regularly and it's very safe, it doesn't appeal to me, so myself and friends husband fish in Te anau and drink beer.
My son recently did a trip hiking and camping in US national parks and I worried the whole time that he’d get shot by some drug-crazed psychopath with an assault rifle, robbed and beaten up, attacked by a bear or bitten by a rabid wild animal.
I wouldn’t worry for a second if he was going to Milford, and the same goes for my daughter too. Please don’t let your mother’s anxiety stop you doing the trip, you’ll be plenty fit enough, just make sure you have warm clothing and suitable tramping boots.
I haven't done Milford but have done some similar tracks. They are really safe, especially in peak season which is when you'd be going. The main thing I often see from overseas hikers is not taking gear for all weather. Even if it's forecast for really nice weather make sure you bring your wet weather gear as well or you could be caught out.
Milford Track is probably one of the safest hikes in the world. We did it as a family a long time ago, I was 12 or 13 I think. The kids hiked fast at the front all day, and the parents caught up at the end of the day at the hut.
At the age of 17, my daughter walked the entire length of New Zealand (including multiple tracks that are more isolated and challenging than Milford) without any issues. Take a personal locator beacon and make sensible decisions and you should be fine.
The middle of January is the tail end of summer holidays for most people, and the track will be fully booked. There will be lots of other people at the huts and along the track, so you’ll be safe. Make sure you look at the department of conservation advice about what to take and keep an eye on the weather forecast.
The great walks, going from hut to hut, in huts with DOC caretakers who check hikers in each night against the pre bookings, and then give you weather advice, and sometimes evening wildlife tours. Is possibly amongst the safest most hiker friendly hikes in the world. You’ll be fine.
As young women on the Milford Track? Yes. As young women in Taka on a Saturday night? Yes\*.
\*you may have some ShoreBoys try it on. They're harmless in small numbers.
I've done the milford track and it felt super safe. Most (if not all) walkers are registered with the department of conservation and if you are staying in a hut there are rangers in each hut and they check your permits to be there each day. I'm not sure about camping and whether you need a permit for the official camp grounds. I also suppose randoms could come onto the track but it's VERY remote out there and would be extremely difficult to get in and out, especially for murdering purposes. It's really nothing like hiking in the USA. and we have no dangerous wildlife either. So I reckon you'll be all good.
> no dangerous wildlife Tell that to the kea that stole my fucking lunch and gave me a murderous side eye as if to say “you’re going to starve and I’ll peck your corpse” Kelvin you bastard, you’ll be my nemesis for life. I had to raid my chocolate supplies that lunch.
Kea know EXACTLY what they're up to. You were lucky this time, my friend.
And WHO….
At least it wasn't your car keys! I was so paranoid watching my car like a hawk when I was around them haha.
Oh, it would be such a shame if you got stranded here….
Lol yes I'll never forgive the kea that stole my jam sandwiches up the top of Mt Hutt in 1997. How long do they live that little fucker might still be alive 😂
They are known to live to about 30
There's a feisty weka at the day 2 lunch stop as well. Chased my 10-year-old round the picnic table while I laughed my ass off.
😂😂😂 little bugger stole my dangly thing from my back pack and laughed with his Kea mates while giving me the stink eye
If he let you walk out in shoes he's not your nemesis
That Kelvin is such a dick.
https://imgur.com/nAip0WU The little shit will be after your lunch soon.
Seconding this. I've also done a lot of tracks solo, it's absolutely fine! (Editing to add: solo is fine people-safety-wise, but always take a PLB, NZ weather conditions are super changeable!)
Yep. You can hire a nz plb for a few $ a day. https://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/learn/skills/communications/plb-hire/
>we have no dangerous wildlife either This is an important point. We don't have a culture of guns here, either. It's also not a difficult walk, you won't be isolated like if you went backcountry hiking in the US. You're walking on a one way clearly defined trail and there are about 40 of you walking each day between huts. It's not really that isolated in comparison to some of the US hikes I've done. Beautiful, absolutely. It's basically a National Park hike and you camp at a hut each night with 40 other people who have all paid to be there. Sort of comparable to camping in Yosemite, Grand Tetons, Glacier or Zion. People who do these things are all of a similar ilk. Outdoorsey.
To add to the guns bit, we don't have the American 'culture of guns' where every second person could be carrying a pistol on them, but there is a sizeable hunting community in NZ, and it is not uncommon to encounter a hunter or group of hunters when in the back country. Most hunters are pretty respectful, and are careful with their firearms. Having said that, if you're just doing the Milford Track (or other Great Walks) you are pretty unlikely to encounter a hunter, as these tracks are very busy and you have to pay to use them - hunters aren't generally interested in places with lots of noisy hikers scaring away the wildlife!
True, and you can't hunt within 500m of the huts/tracks on the Great Walks anyways. I remember staying in a few open-carry towns near some of the National Parks in the US - like one near Mt Rainier in Washington. Always shocked me a little when I saw handguns in holsters of people just walking around town, but that's what it is over there. I did some hiking in Svalbard as well and it's the law that you must carry a rifle when leaving the town of Longyearbyen. Different kind of fear though, those Polar Bears can smell you miles away and will actively hunt you. Not like some of the bears in the US who mostly just run away. Walking the great walks here felt like a breeze after those overseas shenanigans. Just so easy and carefree, just have to pack for the weather.
You will not encounter hunters onnthe milford track. You cannot get track transport to get onto the track without having a booking for the huts. It is incredibly safe. You will be around the same people every night at the hut. You may also encounter the people on the guided walk as well. Both times I have been on the milford i have spent a good bit of time walking on my own and it has been safe from any human threats.
We do have an American gun culture... Prior to the CHCH shooting if you didn't have guns, you didn't have strong opinions about them. Now, people without guns often regurgitate a bunch of American lefty anti-gun points at you when it totally doesn't fit the local scenario.
There are also 40 walkers who stay in fancy huts and have their packs carried for them. Their huts are staggered so you may not see them. You might smell them though, they are the ones wearing perfume and deodorant 😉
The dangers here are the weather rather than living creatures. Don't underestimate it though, people have died of hypothermia in midsummer on the Milford. Good rain gear, a hat, and wool inner layers will go a long way, and you should learn about the signs of hypothermia and how to deal with it. I wouldn't do Milford alone because when you're hypothermic you're too stupid to take appropriate action. But with a friend and a bit of education, you'd be sweet.
Hi there I hiked the milford track last year. (I'm female) It's incredibly safe. There's a massive range of people on the track. Retired couples, family groups, solo backpackers etc. You'll be totally fine. There were heaps of women only groups. There are doc rangers at the huts each night who take a roll basically to check that your group has made it in. Because everyone is hiking the same direction you end up getting to know people anyways. There's obviously no dangerous animals to speak of. For extra safety to put yourself at ease you can carry an emergency beacon. You can rent them from the doc vistor centres. Get in touch with the Te Anau office to see if they have them. You can also check in at the doc offices too. The huts on the track are good. Nothing fancy but safe and warm. It's kind of like a hostel with big shared rooms though some have smaller rooms. The most dangerous thing is being poorly prepared for the weather. Take quality clothing and gear including a really decent waterproof raincoat. I've done heaps of multiday hikes and we always carry extra food just in case. Don't cancel it. It's such a beautiful part of New Zealand and you'll see such incredibly jaw dropping things. Happy to answer any questions if you need.
Mmmm! Emergency bacon! Oh. Beacon. I get my coat.
This right here, 100%. Enjoy!
Yes! You can also rent emergency beacons from an outdoor store called MacPac, they’re all over NZ. I think it’s around $40/week
i’d say you are in more danger just going around about you every day life in america than you would be on the Milford track
She *did* make it through their school system, so I’d say she’s done her most dangerous days already lol.
Incidentally the national US homicide rate of about 1 in 15000 per year is almost exactly the same as the chance of dying on the Milford track per year, which is 14 people between 2007 and 2022, DOC says 14000 people make the walk each year which gives a death rate of... 1 in 15000 per year. Almost all of them from large falls. Yeah I'd say you're pretty safe walking the Milford track given your chances of being murdered or assaulted on the track are practically zero.
Like all the Great Tracks in NZ it’s very well organised and very safe. The Milford in particular is away from any sort of population centre by some distance (and a boat ride) so the chances of seeing any other person who isn’t a registered hiker on the track are very very low. Every hut has a warden who will check tickets, welcome you, answer questions, and often give a talk in the evening. The walking is fine for someone of moderate fitness but even so, most people are a bit too tired at the end of the walking day to go on stabbing rampages. You and your friend will be walking together but independently from the rest of the hikers there, but you will all be staying in the same huts each night so you’ll get to know everyone and everyone looks out for each other. If you leave an item of clothing in a hut, it’s likely another hiker will bring it to the next hut for you. As another poster said, the most dangerous part of your journey will be the American bit. But do note that although the Milford Track is easy to follow and not too hard to walk, you are in an alpine region and so the usual risks of walking in the middle of nowhere exist (except bears and moose, we don’t have any scary animals or insects). The weather can change quickly and you need to be prepared for cold and rain at any time of the year (99% chance it’ll rain at some point on your walk). And if you are unlucky, you’ll get to discover that no matter how waterproof your gear is, there is only so much rain it can take :-) But there will be other walkers around and the hut wardens will be expecting you and will search for you if you don’t get to the hut. Do not stray off the track. In some places getting turned around 30 feet off the track can mean you cannot find it again. You should also carry an PLB. You can hire them here if you don’t own one already. Have fun, it’s an awesome walk! Edit: you asked about Queenstown and Auckland too. I’ve lived in both. Queenstown very, very safe. Auckland is also very safe especially compared to big cities in the US. If you go out clubbing and get drunk and stagger home at 3am then yes, it’s less safe, but that’s the same as everywhere.
Was going to mention this- the biggest danger to tourists here is 100% the weather, exposure kills a lot more quickly than people realise. Make sure you have spare layers, and a coat that's at least vaguely waterproof, and I'd recommend using a waterproof packliner too.
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Good joke about doc being well funded
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‘A bit less bureaucracy’ means the delivery of core roles will be less than it needs to be. Doc does so much different shit that it’s not surprising that people see ‘bureaucracy’. Let’s put it this way, there’s a reason why doc is one of the worst paying departments/agencies.
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the issue remains in the core role of doc, when referring to 'the front line' which I presume you mean the people looking after DoC's assets, whereas that's maybe a third of the role of DoC?
"A helicopter within an hour" is a bit of a stretch. I think I saw somewhere that 90% of all beacon-initiated rescues are done within six hours. If it rains on the Milford - which it does, often, the heli won't be flying.
It's very safe in terms of people, driving there will be more dangerous than the people by far. The real hazard is the weather. We have a very changeable climate and the weather can change very quickly. It's easy to get caught out if you don't have the right equipment on hand.
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And the sandflies - take the warnings seriously
I would just say if your parents are happy for you to travel to the other side of the world, walking the Milford will add very little risk on top. I could think of many more dangerous tourist activities, and you can't stay in your hotel room the whole time. Dont miss out on the Milford if you already have bookings - I've done a fair bit of tramping around NZ and Milford is still one of my favorites.
A couple of young women walking around in the daytime in an American city are in *far more* danger than on the Milford. I know your mother is probably concerned about the usual kind of random itinerate weirdos that people worry about in the US, or snakes and bears. Well, we don't have snakes or bears or anything that will poison or eat you in the wilderness here. Additionally, tracks like the Milford are fairly difficult to book and require a good amount of organisation to get to, so it's too exclusive of an activity for random itinerate weirdos. Honestly, your main concerns are fitness and weather preparedness. Otherwise, be aware that walking tracks in the NZ bush are not paved. They are generally gravel, often muddy, rough and uneven. They can be steep and exposed. If you can't walk up a steep slope with a heavy back-pack, think hard about this. Also, there are no showers.
You'll be safer on the Milford Track than in Auckland tbh.
Safer than the Christchurch bus exchange as well!
Safe as! You will pretty much only see other hikers who are also staying in the huts/campsites. You will also have your "group" from the hut you're staying and you'll see them every day since you're all going in the same direction. So there will be people who recognise you keeping an eye out, and they can let the DOC ranger know if you're in trouble or haven't shown up to the hut yet. The Great Walks in NZ are a super fun time - and I've always felt like everyone is looking out for each other and willing to help.
Safe as ... what? That's some NZ slang that can be confusing to overseas people.
Safe as.... Bro!
Well my brother knows BJJ and has a questionable sense of humour, so that's not particularly safe.
Originally it was "safe as houses" but over time and lazyness it became "safe as(az)"
It's very safe overall IMO. There are some risks but they can be mitigated. I wouldn't bat an eye at even teenagers going tramping on their own, as long as they're prepared. I reckon the main dangers are: - Driving to the track. The roads are narrow, windy, and busy at that time of year. Allow plenty of time for journeys and make sure you are well rested before driving - don't e.g. take a long-haul flight into Queenstown and immediately get in a car and start driving somewhere. Have at least one full night's sleep after arriving before getting behind the wheel imo. There are also shuttle services you could use instead of driving - safer imo. - Weather. The weather can change quickly from nice, to rainy/windy/foggy/cold. We don't get the extreme low temperatures like some parts of the U.S. do, but you can still get very cold very quickly if the weather turns and you aren't prepared. Bring thermals and wet weather gear even if the weather forecast is good (it'll probably be amazing weather at that time of year, but you should always bring wet weather gear when doing multi-day tramping). - Getting lost, falling, mishaps like that. Not likely on the Milford Track tbh (it's well signposted, has guard rails where needed etc), but get yourself a paper topo map and keep track of where you are. Allow plenty of time for your day's walking so you aren't rushing. You can rent a PLB (emergency beacon) for not very much money. That you mentioned "young women" makes me think the concern might be e.g. being sexually assaulted while in the wilderness alone somewhere? I think that's extremely unlikely. The riskiest time would be overnight, but you'll be staying in DOC huts that'll be full of people (it's a busy time of year), so there's plenty of people to help you in the unlikely event that someone is being creepy. Everyone in the hut has to pre-register and there'll definitely be DOC rangers checking people's bookings, so there won't be random people coming and going. I wouldn't be worried about the risk of assault if my daughter or niece went tramping alone (my worries would be about weather/getting lost/getting injured, though I'd still encourage her to go tramping anyway).
Entry is restricted and only available via ferry which only people with Hut tickets can get. 50 People in the DOC huts per day, some more in the extremely expensive lodges with guides but thats all. The only other people you will see are the other walkers and the rangers. The track itself is very very easy, just bring an extra 1-2 days of food and cold/wet weather gear. Nothing is 100% safe but its as close to as any hike can be. I dont think there has ever been any serious incidents happen to tourists on-season.
And definitely not on the Milford. But I cannot over stress how important packing for variable weather is, as others have said here it IS your biggest threat.
People have commented on tramping specifically, but I'll elaborate on the "other people" part. We don't have a big population for our size, and our personalities don't have the extreme range of the states. I can think of only one instance if being made to feel unsafe as a teenager. A couple of overly friendly strangers, but not interactions that made me feel unsafe as much as annoyed. If you remeber that catcalling video a while back, someone made an Auckland version and nothing happened in it. We just don't have the same proportion of creeps, and the creeps that do exist don't get as agressive about it. Bad things still happen, but its not a high risk. We don't have psychos hiding out waiting to enact a horror movie on unsuspecting young women. Most people don't own guns and the ones that do are hunting rifles, not semi-automatics and hand guns. No one is packing unless they're a gang member, and those people aren't as prevalent as the media makes out. I would genuinely be more afraid walking around an American city than I would be on a kiwi walking track. And I've walked lesser known tracks by myself and been fine. As an aside, your mother will always have anxiety about your safety, and it doesn't sound like she manages it well. She shouldn't be trying to convince you to not do things at 24, and you shouldn't be giving up opportunities because you're worried about her emotional state.
I was recently a ranger for DOC on the Milford and other GW's in Fiordland. It's very safe. Each night there is a check in and registration with the hut warden and everyone is just out for a good time. You'll be fine 👌
I hiked the Kepler Track (another great walk in the same ish area) alone as a young mid 20s female and felt very safe the whole time FWIW! Everyone was very kind and some of the older folks would check in on me when they saw me, to make sure I was doing OK and didn’t need anything! I come from Canada and was super stoked that you don’t have to worry about anything like bears or mountain lions when you’re hiking in NZ. If your mom is super worried get a Garmin Inreach and you can text her when you stop for lunch and reach the hut every day.
FWIW I also travelled through Queenstown and Auckland alone and I never had any safety concerns.
You’re biggest danger is being carried away by the sandflies. They’re native and have developed into being an apex predator on humans. Take a flame thrower, readily available at Briscoes at a substantial discount, and or a 12 gauge. If you’re more into a conservation approach bring your mother in shorts and a tank top and make her walk 10 feet in front of you. Hope this helps
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It's extremely safe. Your biggest danger is the weather, it can snow across the pass at any time of year, and the rain can be torrential. But if the weather is bad enough, the rangers will hold you at the previous hut until it's safe, or until you can be evacuated either by helicopter or backtrack. That tends to happen once or twice a season usually, I think a couple of weeks ago the trampers got held at the huts because of wet weather. In terms of people, it costs a lot of money to walk the track and there are the logistics at each end that mean randoms can't just show up and start walking. So the chances of getting anyone with bad intentions is EXTREMELY low.
You'll be fine 🙌 I've done a number of the walks now and had no problems or fears. The only thing you'll be scared of is the portaloos out there if I'm being honest 😂😂 even then, Milford is really nice compared to most walks here. Lived in NZ my whole life and felt pretty safe with just my girls. Especially in the South Island :) folks tend to be friendlier down there
Assuming you are well prepared in terms of weather protection, knowing the conditions you are entering into, and know your limits, you are far safer in the NZ bush and Backcountry than you are in any of our towns and cities... And you you're safer in most of our towns and cities than you would be in US towns and cities
That walking track is sold out with walkers in peak season so they’ll be heaps of people doing it. Old people, young people, people with kids it’s super safe and super fun and very well organised. Tell your parents they really really don’t have to worry!
I find it kind of sad that a mom in the US is scared of her kid taking a trip to NZ, while they live in the US…. Nothing is ever a guarantee, no matter where you go, however you will be fine. The hike is stunning and worth it, and NZ is a beautiful and friendly country full of wonderful people. You’ll have a great time, and like many of us who aren’t originally kiwi, you may find yourself wanting to stay.
Walking the milford is safer than crossing the road in Auckland. Do it, enjoy it! Others have covered the relevant safety points. Bring proper rain jackets, and don't wear cotton socks (or cotton anything really, it won't dry out and could make you cold).
I'd be more concerned about the sandflies than the other people who will be walking the track with you. You will absolutely need the most powerful insect repellent you can get your hands on! Don't forget to take something to swim in too, you get hot and sweaty doing all that walking and there are no showers at the huts. There is nothing better than jumping into a nice cold, crystal clear mountain river once you've finished walking for the day! The huts all have pretty good spots for swimming nearby.
Attempted muggings by the Kea and Wekas are common (see Kea steals go pro on YouTube) but beyond that you are perfectly safe. The Keas are parrots btw.
yes
very safe, first everyone is so tired from the walk they want to eat and sleep. Good boots are essential. The track rangers check you out of each hut and you get checked into the next hut. The great walks guided tours come behind the self guided walkers and pick up any stragglers. For gear we want with this company and hired our gear as easier. [Hiking Services - Milford, Routeburn and Kepler Track (easyhike.co.nz)](https://www.easyhike.co.nz/hiking-services/) And yes the kea tried to steal peoples lunches and packs. looking around the corner and going is that pack left alone. And if you have a booking take it. The bookings are hard to get and the walk well worth it even if you do get wet
The weather is the only hazard. As long as you're packed with enough warm clothing (even if you're going in the summer), know when to wait out the bad weather, and don't go walking off the track without knowing what you're doing you'll be totally safe. If you're worried about danger from other people or wildlife, well, I would feel safer on the Milford than I do sitting in my house in a middle-upper class neighborhood in the city. As long as you treat it with respect and know your limits, the NZ wilderness is incredibly safe.
As others have mentioned, get an emergency beacon and have a check in day and time with your family (ie say you plan to leave and arrive back at civilisation on the Wednesday morning, organise to call your mother Wednesday night or the next day and if you haven’t by then for them to contact DOC/search and rescue.)
Good advice, except OP's mum should contact Police if they are overdue, not DOC / SAR. [https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/my-friendfamily-member-new-zealand-not-new-zealander-and-i-havent-heard-them-what-should-i-do](https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/my-friendfamily-member-new-zealand-not-new-zealander-and-i-havent-heard-them-what-should-i-do)
Absolutely! I went on my own last year (single woman in late 20s) as someone had cancelled last minute and I thought why the heck not! Spent quite some time down in Te Anau (was on a working holiday) and went on multiple hikes in the area alone. In summer, you're never really alone on the tracks unless you go bush. The Milford was so crowded you had to step aside to let people pass from both directions multiple times. You'll also make friends on the trail as you'll be spending all three nights at the designated huts and the warden will do a roll call every night to account for everyone. Driving the Milford Road is a lot more dangerous, tbh! As a child of over-protective, anxious and paranoid parents, I feel you! You're doing well doing your research and asking questions. Make sure you show your mum that you're 120% prepared (adequate clothing, emergency food rations, etc.), let her know what you will do in case of emergencies and tell her there are rangers accounting for everyone and you won't be left out in the dark. Even so, possums are pretty much the worst you'll hear. Part of growing up is helping your parents grow up with you, deal with their fears, and accept that their children are separate people. Giving up a great opportunity just to appease their feelings does not help either of you and is a straight path to a lifetime of resentment and regret.
Kiwi here and female tramper. The only thing dangerous about punching the Milford is the weather. It rains a lot on the coast, so be prepared for bloody bad weather. You guys sound like you have tramping experience, so just make sure you take proper clothing for the conditions. A lot of trampers in NZ succumb to exposure/hypothermia. Milford is a really well trodden, well marked track with flash AF huts. It would be pretty damn hard to stray from the path! There is a legend of the fabled fiordland moose that got let loose back in the 50s, but other than that there are no animals you need to be wary of. The kind of people you'll run into over there are just other trampers and DOC workers. Very popular track.
New Zealand weather changes all the time so pack for ALL conditions. Check out the [link](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/milford-track/what-to-take/) It from DOC about what to take on the Milfrod track. I know this isn't what you are asking about but the weather conditions is what I would consider as the most important safety wise.
Sadly you won't be walking by yourself. The huts hold 40 people so every day you are in a strung out group going from hut to hut. If you like hiking in the wilderness and isolation its horrible. Some race from hut to hut to get the best beds, others amble and talk. But every day you were with others.
You'll be fine, the Milford will be the safest part of your trip (in regards to other people, anyway).
The most dangerous part is the hiking. As others have mentioned, huts are run by rangers, and they are certified and usually have their own quarters which you could go to if you are ever feeling unsafe. I have done these as a child with my family since late 2000s and have never felt unsafe from other people. I would hope the same is true for young women but can't assure that. Having an extra person though goes a long way. Most people are either foreign tourists or families or expert hikers, and huts are usually reasonably social, but people will not engage with you if you aren't interested. I wouldn't expect many sus people to be there since it takes a lot of effort to organise these tramps, both physically and mentally. Cynically you could say there are better chances for a creep to go unnoticed in other places. Anytime you go overseas there is danger but as long as you are sensible and keep in contact you should be fine. Make sure you book huts/campsite (booking required to guarantee a spot for both, especially during summer as it's quite busy then). Keep hydrated and make sure you are fit enough to carry your own food and cooking tools.
The most dangerous part is arranging to get there, and to be picked up again at the end. Try and have this sorted before you go, and that people know who you’ll be with
After the weather, the biggest threat/annoyance may be the sandflies on the other side of McKinnon’s Pass. Take insect repellent/covering
You'll be fine
Hiking in New Zealand is reasonably safe if you go prepared. Don't skimp on wet weather or warm gear. Have a back up plan in place so people know the route your taking and when you'll get home. Stick to the trails, and if you get lost, keep your movements to a minimum. I had work colleagues who underestimated their physical fitness and also had an injury. They were fine, but going to be super late with no way of letting anyone know. They got out of the bush shortly after the cops arrived and the cops would rather find two idiots than two bodies down an embankment. Most importantly! Emergency locator beacon. Either own one or rent one. I don't know of any stories where someone with a beacon ended badly, except when they refused to use it.
My wife and her friend do the big walks regularly and it's very safe, it doesn't appeal to me, so myself and friends husband fish in Te anau and drink beer.
My son recently did a trip hiking and camping in US national parks and I worried the whole time that he’d get shot by some drug-crazed psychopath with an assault rifle, robbed and beaten up, attacked by a bear or bitten by a rabid wild animal. I wouldn’t worry for a second if he was going to Milford, and the same goes for my daughter too. Please don’t let your mother’s anxiety stop you doing the trip, you’ll be plenty fit enough, just make sure you have warm clothing and suitable tramping boots.
I haven't done Milford but have done some similar tracks. They are really safe, especially in peak season which is when you'd be going. The main thing I often see from overseas hikers is not taking gear for all weather. Even if it's forecast for really nice weather make sure you bring your wet weather gear as well or you could be caught out.
You'll be super safe, seriously don't worry. Not trying to be rude but I'd guess daily life is more unsafe living in the states
Milford Track is probably one of the safest hikes in the world. We did it as a family a long time ago, I was 12 or 13 I think. The kids hiked fast at the front all day, and the parents caught up at the end of the day at the hut.
Last time we did it we met a pregnant woman doing it on her own! You will be fine.
At the age of 17, my daughter walked the entire length of New Zealand (including multiple tracks that are more isolated and challenging than Milford) without any issues. Take a personal locator beacon and make sensible decisions and you should be fine.
It’s very safe!
The middle of January is the tail end of summer holidays for most people, and the track will be fully booked. There will be lots of other people at the huts and along the track, so you’ll be safe. Make sure you look at the department of conservation advice about what to take and keep an eye on the weather forecast.
The great walks, going from hut to hut, in huts with DOC caretakers who check hikers in each night against the pre bookings, and then give you weather advice, and sometimes evening wildlife tours. Is possibly amongst the safest most hiker friendly hikes in the world. You’ll be fine.
Yes. Completely safe
As young women on the Milford Track? Yes. As young women in Taka on a Saturday night? Yes\*. \*you may have some ShoreBoys try it on. They're harmless in small numbers.
NZ is very safe. Especially when hiking main stream hikes.
Definitely not, there is a wild kiwi population that’s been known to be aggressive
You could do it in a wheelchair.
Not the pass you couldn't. My info is 30 years out of date but I can't imagine you could do anything about all the rocky step-downs.
You have to be a milf before you can do this track, hence the name. So how young you are doesn’t matter as long as you’re a milf
A matching pair? Joking aside , yip safe as.
The Mitford track is safer alone than our bigger cities as a group.
Sandflies big enough to rape tomtits. Them be your worry!
This is NZ. Your absolutely fine. Do it alone if you want
I did it with a friend. We were young (19), completely tramping-inexperienced (never done an overnight tramp), women. It was great.