One thing that has got better on the Milford Track is the spectacular bush and wildlife. Photo: Pavel Tvrdy

The Milford Track then, now and into the future

Features, Great Walks

A long-time Wilderness contributor and freelance author, Kathy writes about outdoor recreation, natural history and conservation.

By Kathy Ombler

After first walking the Milford Track in 1984, Kathy Ombler returned in February this year. She found bigger huts, new bridges, and more birdlife. The landscape remained spectacular and dynamic.

Climbing Mackinnon Pass with an alpine plant guru certainly took my mind off the physical effort. Dr (now Sir) Alan Mark and I pottered uphill, stopping every few metres for him to show me another gentian, celmisia, ourisia, raoulia and more. This was 1984. The sun was shining, the views were amazing, and I felt […]

About the author

Kathy Ombler

Freelance author Kathy Ombler mostly writes about outdoor recreation, natural history and conservation, and has contributed to Wilderness for many years. She has also written and edited for other publications and websites, most recently Federated Mountain Club’s Backcountry, Forest & Bird, and the Backcountry Trust. Books she has authored include Where to Watch Birds in New Zealand, Walking Wellington and New Zealand National Parks and Other Wild Places. She is currently a trustee for Wellington’s Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust.