Spectacular day walk summits, rare penguins and overnight cruises. There’s a whole lot waiting for you in Te Anau in the southwest of the South Island. Not only is Te Anau home to picturesque bodies of water and towering mountain ranges, but it’s also the best place for scenic road trips, adventures on the water, wildlife sightings and viewing the night sky. Spend some extra time in what is known as the basecamp of Fiordland, and discover a grotto of glowworms, crayfish and wine at the local cinema and unique stays that make you want to stay longer. Te Anau is the ultimate destination for experiencing all things Fiordland!
1. Day walks
One of the best ways to see the magnificent sights in and around Te Anau is by foot. There are a number of short walks that will take no more than a day, and are well worth the effort. The Kepler Track is a popular multi-day hike, but the day walk to Luxmore Hut is the perfect dose of New Zealand Great Walks spectacular. Check out a portion of the Routeburn Track on the Key Summit track. Sample the Milford Track as well on a day walk to Giant Gate Falls. When searching for things to do in Te Anau, an adventure to the Lake Marian track is a must, with a breathtaking alpine lake at the summit. Other day walks in the area include Lake Gunn and Circle Track at Lake Manapouri. These incredible tracks and summits will have you coming back to Te Anau time and time again.
2. Restaurants
You haven’t really explored a place until you’ve found its best restaurants. The places to eat in Te Anau come in all shapes and sizes, for all moods and occasions. Park up at Redcliff Cafe for a laidback evening of great food, drink and live music. This unassuming red-roof restaurant serves up food so good that it’s won note-worthy awards. If you’re looking for delicious street-food style goodies with Asian flavours, Ditto is the spot! Think bao buns, sushi bowls and prawn crackers on the side. Must-visit cafes like The Sandfly and Sprig and Thistle (a caravan cafe!) are keeping Te Anau caffeinated. The Fat Duck is ‘the’ gastropub in town for a delicious dinner with friends. Up the ante with a stunning 3-course trust the chef dinner at Fiordland Lodge. The lake views are unbeatable, and the pre-dinner canapes by the massive log fire make this a special experience. Places to eat in Te Anau are unpretentious, generous and of a high quality. For foodie things to do in Te Anau, head to The Black Dog Bar at Fiordland Cinema for crayfish and wine! Crayfish and a movie – it’s impressive!
3. Get to know the wildlife
Te Anau is the place to see the incredible wildlife of Fiordland. Venture onto well-formed tracks and you’re likely to see birdlife such as kea, the alpine parrot native to New Zealand. On a Fiordland cruise or expedition is where you’ll see the impressive Albatross. One of the best things to do in Te Anau is to visit the Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. Tucked away but still in town, it’s easy to get to yet feels incredibly remote. Takahē steal the show here, and with a donation on entry and a self-guided tour you can learn more about the Takahē Recovery Programme during a stroll through the sanctuary. Explore the natural wonder of the glowworm caves in Te Anau, and visit hairy friends at Kepler Mountain View Alpacas. Get a glimpse of one of the rarest penguins in the world, the tawaki / Fiordland crested penguin between July and November (breeding season). A cruise through Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound is one of the best ways to see dolphins, seals and penguins. Some experiences even tempt you with the chance of seeing a whale!
4. Lake cruises
One of the best things to do in Te Anau is to embark on a lake cruise. Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island, spanning a massive 344 square kilometres. The township sits on the edge of this picturesque lake. Enjoy a sunset from the lake shore and a stroll to the yacht club jetty, though there’s nothing better than exploring the surroundings from the water. Cruise Lake Te Anau with Fiordland Historic Cruises. Their sailboat, Faith, takes no more than 16 guests per cruise making it a comfortable, personalised experience. Experience Te Anau as a destination and not a stop-over with Crusie Te Anau on their family-owned and operated cruises. Keen to disembark and venture further? Explore the Te Anau glowworm caves with RealNZ after a cruise across the lake. For a more fast-paced adventure on the rivers and lakes surrounding Te Anau, check out Fiordland Jet!
5. Explore Manapouri
Explore the real Fiordland at places like Manapouri. Just a 20-minute drive from Te Anau, this small town is bursting with extraordinary landscapes. Known for the ‘save Manapouri’ campaign and the Manapouri Power Station, the town is significant in the country’s hydroelectricity. Check out Frasers Beach, right next to the township. Hang around longer for world-class walking tracks such as the Mt Burns summit. Find the quirky charm at Two Wee Bookshops and go where the locals frequent with dinner at The Church. Plan ahead so you can stay overnight at some of Fiordland’s best luxury accommodation spots like Cabot Lodge. And take the kids camping at Possum Lodge on the edge of Lake Manapouri for a family holiday they’ll never forget.
6. Fiordland Cinema
A unique cinema experience comes in high on the must-do in Te Anau list. This cinema is specifically designed with old-school charm in the form of intermissions and large comfy seats. It’s original purpose was to screen the locally made film, Ata Whenua – Shadowland. Also known as Fiordland on Film, the Fiordland Cinema still has regular screenings of this masterpiece, along with a selection of other current, top releases. The neighbouring bar, The Black Dog, are now offering fresh Fiordland crayfish so you can indulge in a crayfish and cocktail with your cinema experience!
7. Float plane experience
Get yourself to Te Anau and you could be soaring above Fiordland in a float plane! Wings and Waters operate the only float plane in Fiordland, and it’s certainly one of the coolest ways to see the region! Flights depart right from Lake Te Anau, and the many flight options mean you can take your pick. Explore Dusky Sound and Doubtful sound, or fly to a secluded and ‘secret’ location on their Mystery Flight. Water landings mean you can land in remote locations that are otherwise near inaccessible. Every seat is a window seat, so passengers don’t miss a second of the incredible scenery below. Fiordland National Park is vast and wild, and will quickly become one of your favourite National Parks in New Zealand once you’ve seen it from above!
8. Explore the Milford Road
Milford Sound is a must-visit when you’re in Te Anau and Fiordland. Wild waterfalls, gigantic mountains that tower out of the deep, dark waters of the fiord; it’s a breathtaking place. The road to Milford is just as much a part of the experience as the destination. Journey by car through Fiordland National Park under canopies of beech tree and beneath dramatic mountain peaks. Allow plenty of time to stop along the way.
Mirror Lakes, just 40 minutes into the drive from Te Anau, is a short 10-minute walk to a small lake that on a still day, shows off a reflection of the Earl Mountains above. Keep your eyes peeled for the turn off to Lake Gunn; a fantastic picnic stop. Lake Marian is a 3-4 hour return walk that is not to be missed along the way! Soak up the scenery through Knobs Flat (likely your last chance at phone service!), and Eglinton Valley. Keep your eyes peeled for kea around the Homer Tunnel as you marvel at the many waterfalls surrounding you (and in winter, snow!). The Chasm is a short 20-minute walk not far from Milford Sound which winds alongside powerful waterfalls that settle into naturally formed rock pools below. It’s a full day of adventure en route to Milford Sound.
9. Kayak in Milford Sound
Just when you thought the outdoor activities in and around Te Anau couldn’t get any better; kayaking in Milford Sound is a must-do. Get up close and personal with the fiord as you paddle through some of the most incredible scenery in the world. Rosco’s offers fantastic sea kayak tours in Milford Sound that you’ll want to write home about. Do more with Southern Discoveries on their Cruise & Kayak adventure. Kayaking in Milford Sound gives you an entirely unique viewpoint. You may even observe some wildlife such as bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and tawaki / Fiordland crested penguins while you’re at it!
10. Doubtful Sound
Travel to the wild and wonderful depths of Fiordland, to Doubtful Sound. This remarkable fiord is one of 14 fiords in Fiordland National Park. It’s utterly remote, undisturbed and rugged. Embark on a day trip cruise to Doubtful Sound from Te Anau with RealNZ. It all begins at the Manapouri Visitor Centre, just a 30-minute drive from Te Anau. Explore everything from Lake Manapouri to Wilmot Pass, and through the unbelievable Doubtful Sound. Onboard nature guides ensure you don’t miss a thing on our journey. Fall head over heels for this incredible part of the world and stay overnight or longer with Southern Secret. Cruise through the fiord before anchoring in a sheltered bay for the night. Sleep well in an ensuite cabin before waking up to the sunrise in this secluded part of Fiordland. Doubtful Sound day trips and overnight cruises are worth the hype and make for an unforgettable experience.
11. Stargazing
Te Anau is tucked away in the southwest of New Zealand, away from the hustle and bustle of large cities. This small-town life means it’s one of the darkest locations in the country so it’s ideal for night sky viewing. Marvel at the constellations on a clear night. For keen astrophotographers, Milford Sound is a great spot to capture the milky way over Mitre Peak. Whether you’re cosied up on the shores of Lake Te Anau, or you’re journeying further into Fiordland, the night sky is sure to impress.
12. Stay for a while in unique accommodation
There’s a whole lot going on in the deep south. Don’t miss the magic by cutting your trip short. The various accommodation options in Te Anau are adventures in their own right. Pass time gazing at the lake and mountain views at the architecturally stunning Fiordland Lodge. This luxury New Zealand lodge is everything you want from a getaway in the mountains, complete with premium log cabins and hot tubs with a view. Cabot Lodge is also a taste of all-inclusive luxury, nestled near the edge of Lake Manapouri. Fiordland Eco Retreat is the place to pause and take stock. Uninterrupted views of Lake Te Anau can be enjoyed from the private outdoor hot tub as you marvel at your surroundings. Base yourself at Te Anau Lodge for days of walking, dining, kayaking and more. For a completely unique stay, check out Cinema Suites where the outdoors inspires the interior. It’s best to allow at least a few days in Te Anau to explore the best this town has to offer.
This article was created in paid partnership with Fiordland NZ.
