Nestled on Lake Te Anau’s eastern shore, this town is the perfect place to stay when exploring nearby fiords and forested mountains.
Te Anau is a pretty lakeside town in New Zealand’s Southland region. The town provides a visitor base for an immense national park, containing many different environments. Natural areas include dense rainforests, jagged mountains and striking fiords. Enjoy freshly caught seafood in a local restaurant and venture outwards into the region’s many natural sites.
Stay in Te Anau for excellent hiking trails, including the Kepler Track. Complete this 67-kilometre (42-mile) hike in 3 to 4 days. One of New Zealand’s best trails, it features outstanding views of exposed alpine ridge tops and glacial valleys. The Milford Track is another great hike, going north from the lake’s northern tip.
The charming town sits on the edge of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake by surface area on New Zealand’s South Island. Fishing, swimming and kayaking are popular activities on the lake. Notice the jagged mountains and mighty fiords in the distance as you relax near the water’s edge.
Find Fiordland National ParkOpens in a new window outside the small town of Te Anau. At more than 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres), this national park is New Zealand’s largest. Discover a vast range of wildlife, such as dolphins, seals and birds. The national park’s varied environments include fiords, glaciers, misty forested valleys and rugged mountains.
See hundreds of luminous glowworms in the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, a vast network of passages with whirlpools and underground waterfalls. They were created by river water rushing through the limestone formations over centuries. Explore the mysterious caves in a purpose-built boat with an expert tour guide.
Stay in the lakeside town of Te Anau for access to Fiordland National Park. The park contains some of New Zealand’s most popular destinations, including Milford SoundOpens in a new window and Doubtful SoundOpens in a new window. Accommodation include luxury hotels and motels. Te Anau is about 640 kilometres (400 miles) from ChristchurchOpens in a new window.
Purchase outdoor supplies and visit fine restaurants in Te Anau while viewing some of New Zealand’s most incredible natural areas.
