Te Anau

Travel Guide
Te Anau featuring a lake or waterhole
With its stunning lake, excellent walking trails and mesmerising glow worm cave, this town is more than just an access point for the sounds of Fiordland. 

Go kayaking or fishing at the still waters of New Zealand’s second-largest lake, view the colourful native birds or take a night ride through glow worm caves in pretty Te Anau. Use the town as a base for exploring nearby fiords and hiking trails, or relax here for a few days enjoying tranquil local walking trails and excellent restaurants. 

Te Anau is often called the gateway to Fiordland, but the town and surrounding area certainly warrant at least a day’s exploring. Foremost among the attractions is the magnificent Lake Te Anau. Like many of the Fiordland’s attractions, this was created by a glacier. It’s a staggering 1,368 feet (417 metres) at its deepest point. Rent a kayak and head out onto the water. In the warmer summer months, go swimming in the lake’s cool waters. 

Be sure to take a walk to the Te Anau Wildlife Park, where you can look out for the colourful kaka and tui birds. You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the flightless takahe. The park at Te Anau is one of only a handful of locations where this incredibly rare bird can still be seen in the wild.

For a unique experience, don’t miss the eerie glow worm caves. Join a tour, which starts with a boat trip over the lake to a quiet grotto. You will then be led into a network of underground tunnels. Once your eyes adjust to the dark, see constellations of hundreds of tiny glow worms clinging to the roof of the caves. Your experienced guide will tell you the history of the caves, which were rediscovered in 1948. Tours last approximately 2 hours.

Due to its reputation as a jumping-off point for visitors to Milford Sound, Te Anau has a wide selection of quality restaurants and cafés, as well as some luxury hotels and spas. It’s a good idea to book accommodation early during the warmer months.

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
4.5 out of 5
77 Manapouri - Te Anau Highway, Te Anau
The price is RM237 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
RM237
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star eco-certified holiday park in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (935 reviews)
"Great place"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
4 out of 5
Corner Mokonui Street & Main Street, Te Anau
The price is RM724 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
RM724
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Fiordland Cinema and Luxmore Jet ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
No faults
"Clean, comfortable, well located hotel with polite helpful staff. Would definitely stay if we returned to Te Anau again."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments
Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments
4 out of 5
42 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau
The price is RM1,270 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
RM1,270
per night
29 Mar - 30 Mar
Stay at this 4-star beach motel in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (553 reviews)
"All good"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Birchwood Cottages
Birchwood Cottages
3 out of 5
208 Milford Road, Te Anau
Stay at this 3-star mobile home in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Fiordland Cinema and Luxmore Jet are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (143 reviews)
"A clean and comfortable cottage. Close to all facilities. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2024

Birchwood Cottages
Kepler Oaks Chalet
Kepler Oaks Chalet
3.5 out of 5
207 William Stephen Road, Te Anau
Stay at this 3.5-star golf vacation home in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Popular attractions Te Anau Golf Course and Kepler ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Beautiful environment with easy walk to awesome river with running rapids. Modern spacious accommodation, with a variety of animals around and views. Easy short drive from the Te Anau. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2023

Kepler Oaks Chalet
Kea Cottage
Kea Cottage
3 out of 5
8 Waiau Court, Te Anau
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and Luxmore ...
Kea Cottage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Te Anau

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
18
" "5 - Excellent 62.06896551724138%
4 - Good
11
" "4 - Good 37.93103448275862%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
5 Jan 2020

A perfect stopping point for the long return journey to unmissable Milford sound

4/5 - Good

Enggie
12 Apr 2019

Good place to stay.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Apr 2019

Great place, beautifully kept

4/5 - Good

Christopher
23 Mar 2019

Only a place to stay to visit Milford Sound

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Feb 2019

Pretty place to take pictures

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Jan 2019

A great place to visit, you must not miss the Glow worms or Doughtful Sound