Te Anau
New Zealand · Southland · 210 m
Description
Te Anau (Te Ana-au) is a lakeside town in Southland and the main gateway to Fiordland National Park. It sits on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on New Zealand's South Island. Across the water lie the Te Ana-au glowworm caves, reached only by boat. The town is the trailhead for the Milford and Kepler Tracks and the start of the Milford Road. Beech forest, still water and the Murchison Mountains frame the setting. Evenings are quiet, with lakefront walks and a short strip of cafes. Most travellers base themselves here before cruising Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 6 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves / Te Ana-au
- Lake Te Anau
- Milford Sound / Piopiotahi(Day trip)
- Milford Road and Eglinton Valley(Day trip)
- Mirror Lakes(Day trip)
- Te Anau lakefront and Lake2Lake Trail
- Punanga Manu o Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
- Kepler Track (October - April)(Multi-day trip)
- Milford Track (October - April)(Multi-day trip)
- Manapouri and Lake Manapouri(Day trip)
- Doubtful Sound(Day trip)
- Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
- Homer Tunnel(Day trip)
- Lake Gunn Nature Walk(Day trip)
- Key Summit Track(Day trip)
- Te Anau Downs(Day trip)
- Fiordland scenic flight
- Kayaking on Lake Te Anau
- Brown trout fishing
- Night sky over Lake Te Anau
Getting there
- Airports:
- TEU
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry