Welcome to te anau new zealand

come and Discover the Enchantment of Te Anau New Zealand: The Gateway to Fiordland

Welcome to Te Anau New Zealand, a charming gem nestled on the edge of New Zealand's expansive Fiordland National Park.

This is one of our favourite spots in New Zealand, and we are always blown away by the dramatic landscapes, serene lake, and a pristine wilderness that seem to belong in storybooks.

Te Anau embraces you with typical kiwi hospitality, and as the "Gateway to Fiordland," it's the perfect launching pad for exploring nearby treasures like Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

Te Anau offers a laid-back charm, with its friendly community of around 3,000 people, cozy hospitality venues, and local eateries that reflect the best of New Zealand’s culinary offerings.

We love strolling along the foreshore, and eating at local restaurants. Local artisan shops offer a wide range of handmade gifts and souvenirs. The town’s casual atmosphere is inviting, making it an excellent place to relax and recharge after a day of adventures.

Te Anau plays a pivotal role as the service town for the Fiordland region and its famous sounds. Its strategic location makes it the last major settlement before the vast wilderness of Fiordland. As such, Te Anau offers a range of essential services and accommodation. There's a good range of accommodation types, places to hire bikes and camping gear, a well stocked FreshChoice supermarket, fuel supplies, and a variety of pubs, restaurants and cafes, like the Moose Bar and Restaurant, opposite the lake, and the Fat Duck.

There's also an excellent Department of Conservation (DOC) Visitor Centre, which has a wealth of information about the region.

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where is te anau

Te Anau is located in the south western part of New Zealand's stunning South Island. It's 171 kilometres by road from Queenstown (around 2.25 hours driving time), and around 287 kilometres from Dunedin (around 3.5 hours drive).

Te Anau sits on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau, and the view across the lake to the mountains is stunning, especially in the cooler months when the mountains are capped in snow.

Te Anau New Zealand climate

 The weather here is relatively mild but variable, with distinct seasons. Summer (December to February) invites warmer, sunny days, perfect for outdoor excursions. Autumn (March to May) bathes the region in golden hues, providing a picturesque backdrop for photographers. Winter (June to August) brings cooler temperatures, occasionally dusting the surrounding peaks with snow, while spring (September to November) rejuvenates the landscape with wildflowers and new growth. The region experiences high levels of rainfall, which brings Fiordland's streams and hundreds of waterfalls to life. 

Summer (December - February)

Our summers are generally cool, with an average maximum temperature of around 61 F (16 C), and lows around 49 F (9 C). The warmest month is January. Summer provides longer daylight hours, often extending till after 9.30pm. The weather is more settled, but periods of rain are still likely.

Autumn (March to May)

Our temperatures start to cool, rain becomes more frequent (the waterfalls in Fiordland are pumping), and the days have less sunshine hours.

Winter (June to August)

Winters here can be cold, as expected in an alpine environment. Average daily maximum is around 49 F (9 C), and in July, our coldest month, temperatures rarely exceed 45 F (7 C). The peaks are covered in snow, and it's a stunning winter wonderland.

Spring (September to November)

Things begin to warm again, and new growth emerges. Yes, rain is still common, but the days slowly lengthen, and our sunshine hours increase.

Why Should I stay in te anau New Zealand?

If you want to minimise your driving to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, we recommend staying in Te Anau.

There are numerous tours to Fiordland that operate out of Queenstown, and we've done several of these over the years. They are wonderful, and provide air conditioned coach transport and expert commentary by local guides. But, they are long days, often stretching to 12 or 13 hours from leaving Queenstown in the early morning to returning early evening. To drive one way from Queenstown to Milford Sound takes 4 - 4.5 hours, which is something you really do not want to do yourself in one day.

Te Anau is around 2 - 2.5 hours drive from Milford Sound, or less than 30 minutes drive from Manapouri, the starting point for Doubtful Sound tours, so it offers a much more relaxed way to access Fiordland if you want to drive yourself.

Where to stay in Te Anau

Te Anau has a good range of accommodation, with everything from hostels to luxury lodges like Fiordland Lodge.

We always like to stay along the lakefront, and places like the Lakeside Motel and Apartments, the Fiordland Lakeview Motel, and Radford's on the Lake, are all excellent.

You can search the range of options here.

Nearby Manapouri also has a limited range to choose from.

The Great Walks of New Zealand

Fiordland is home to three of New Zealand's "Great Walks". The Department of Conservation (DOC) have lots of information about the walks here. 

Milford Track

Heralded as "the finest walk in the world," the Milford Track is a bucket-list experience for hiking enthusiasts. This iconic four-day trek spans approximately 53.5 kilometers through Fiordland National Park, leading you from the serene Glade Wharf to the majestic Milford Sound. Along the way, experience glacial valleys, cascading waterfalls, and lush rainforests. The track provides three huts for overnight stays, which must be booked well in advance through DOC. Camping is not permitted.

Routeburn Track

Linking Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, the Routeburn Track is another classic Great Walk. This multi-day (2-4 days) hike, spans roughly 32 kilometers and is renowned for its diverse scenery, ranging from alpine meadows and shimmering lakes to imposing mountain ranges. The track can be walked in either direction.

The Routeburn Track gives you a chance to experience the natural grandeur of New Zealand in a relatively accessible setting. The trail also offers three cozy huts and two campsites for overnight accommodation, and these need to be booked well in advance through DOC.

Kepler Track

Starting and finishing at Te Anau, the Kepler Track loops through a stunning array of landscapes, making it an ideal choice for those looking to experience Fiordland’s diversity. This 60-kilometer circuit takes roughly four days to complete and passes through beech forests, tussock lands, and along the shores of Lake Te Anau. Panoramic views from the track’s highest points provide a sweeping vista of Fiordland and offer endless photo opportunities.

The track has three huts and two campsites which need to be booked in advance through DOC.

Exploring Beyond the Great Walks

While the Great Walks are a significant draw, Te Anau offers a variety of other activities, the most notable being two of New Zealand's most well known attractions, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

Day trips to the dramatic fjords of Milford and Doubtful Sounds are a must. Milford Sound, accessible by a scenic drive along one of New Zealand's most picturesque routes, offers boat tours that allow you to get up close to sheer cliffs and roaring waterfalls. Doubtful Sound, known for its tranquility and untouched beauty, can be reached via a boat and bus journey, live-aboard cruises, or kayak tours. Both sounds are nature’s masterpieces, displaying the sublime power of glacial sculpting.

You can see a wide range of tours below, and there's also lots more information on our dedicated pages for Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

For a subterranean adventure, head to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. A guided tour takes you across Lake Te Anau by boat, where you enter the cave systems. Inside, thousands of magical glowworms illuminate the dark, shining like tiny fairy lights. It's a great attraction for all ages.

Enjoy Lake Te Anau

The expansive Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second-largest lake, offers opportunities for boat cruises, kayaking, and fishing. Enjoy a relaxing paddle or explore the many secluded inlets and bays by boat—a tranquil way to soak in the serene beauty framed by majestic mountains.

Come and experience Te Anau New Zealand

Te Anau stands as a gateway to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, offering a harmonious blend of adventure, exploration, and peaceful retreat. Its role as a service town ensures every visitor is well-equipped to explore deeper into the wilderness, while its charm entices them to linger longer in this captivating part of New Zealand. Whether you are drawn by the allure of the Great Walks or the enchanting call of the fjords, Te Anau is the perfect starting point for your Fiordland adventure. Welcome to Te Anau—a place where every first-time tourist becomes a long-time admirer.

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