This lakeside town serves as the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The second-largest glacial lake in NZ sits alongside hiking trails and glow worm caves.
Te Anau sits at the edge of Lake Te Anau and Fiordland National Park in New Zealand's South Island. You can start three major hiking trails from here - the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler tracks. Visit caves where glowworms create natural light displays, or see takahē birds at the wildlife sanctuary. The town gives you access to New Zealand's second-largest lake and the mountains of Fiordland.
Getting to Te Anau
You can drive 170 kilometers from Queenstown along State Highway 94, which takes two hours through mountain passes and valleys. Buses connect Te Anau with Queenstown (4 daily departures), Christchurch (2 daily), and Dunedin (1 daily). From Te Anau Airport, 15 kilometers south of town, you can take scenic flights over Fiordland or connect to other regional airports.
Walking Trails in Fiordland National Park
Three of New Zealand's Great Walks start within minutes of Te Anau's center. The Kepler Track forms a 60-kilometer loop through beech forests and across mountain ridges, with four public huts along the route. The Milford Track follows rivers and waterfalls for 53 kilometers through glacial valleys, while the Routeburn Track crosses multiple watersheds with views of Mount Aspiring and the Darran Mountains. Visit the Department of Conservation office for maps, weather forecasts, and hut bookings for these multi-day walks.
Te Anau Glowworm Cave System
Water continues to shape the limestone formations in Te Anau Glowworm Caves. A small boat takes you through dark caverns where glowworms illuminate the rock above. The 2.5-hour tour starts with a cruise across Lake Te Anau, followed by an explanation of the cave's formation and the glowworms' behavior.
Native Birds at Punanga Manu o Te Anau
Watch takahē feed on native grasses at the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary during morning hours, when these critically endangered birds are most active. The sanctuary's breeding program protects several native species - kākā parrots swing between branches in their aviaries, while whio (blue ducks) swim in specially designed pools. Join a morning tour to learn about the ongoing conservation work.
Activities on Lake Te Anau
Lake Te Anau stretches 53 kilometers north from town, making it New Zealand's largest body of freshwater by volume after Lake Taupo. Fishing guides know spots where brown and rainbow trout gather, while kayak tours explore the eastern shoreline and its native bush. You can join lake cruises lasting from two hours to full days, and swim at the town beach during summer months when water temperatures rise.
Exploring Milford and Doubtful Sounds
The road to Milford Sound takes two hours through Fiordland National Park, passing through the Homer Tunnel. To see Doubtful Sound, take a boat across Lake Manapouri and a bus over Wilmot Pass - a journey through three distinct environments. Both fiords have morning and afternoon cruises, including some boats with underwater observatory stops.
Food in Te Anau
Restaurants in Te Anau serve venison from nearby deer farms, crayfish from the Fiordland coast, and trout from surrounding waters. Cafes open before dawn for early-starting hikers, with coffee and baked goods. The town's supermarket stocks hiking supplies, including freeze-dried meals and trail snacks.
