Te Anau

Travel Guide

Te Anau which includes a lake or waterhole and landscape views
Te Anau featuring a lake or waterhole
Te Anau which includes a park
Lake Te Anau which includes a coastal town, general coastal views and a lake or waterhole
Te Anau which includes 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
Stay at this 4.5-star eco-certified holiday park in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"A fantastic stay! Though we only stayed for one night, it catered to our needs very well. The rooms were warm and clean, the bathrooms had been recently refurbished and were hygienic, and the beds were comfortable and soft. I would definitely recommend, 5 stars!"

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
Lakeside Motel & Apartments
Lakeside Motel & Apartments
3.5 out of 5
36 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau
The price is RM350 per night from 26 Jul to 27 Jul
RM350
RM402 total
26 Jul - 27 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Luxmore Jet and Fiordland National Park Visitor ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"the view was beautiful and the unit lovely and clean"

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Lakeside Motel & Apartments
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
4 out of 5
Corner Mokonui Street & Main Street, Te Anau
The price is RM420 per night from 26 Jul to 27 Jul
RM420
RM483 total
26 Jul - 27 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Te Anau. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Staff were great"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Distinction Luxmore Hotel
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.
Tukare Lookout
Tukare Lookout
3 out of 5
472B Te Anau Milford Hwy, Te Anau, Southland
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Te Anau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Fiordland Astronomy and Fiordland Cinema are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Great, beautiful design, views"

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2025

Tukare Lookout
Birchwood Cottages
Birchwood Cottages
3 out of 5
208 Milford Road, Te Anau
Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Fiordland Cinema and Luxmore Jet are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (156 reviews)
"Lovely quaint cottages. Great value for money."

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2025

Birchwood Cottages
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%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Enggie

Good place to stay.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place, beautifully kept

4/5 - Good

Christopher

Only a place to stay to visit Milford Sound

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Pretty place to take pictures

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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