Margy’s guidebook
Sightseeing
The departure point for Doubtful Sound cruises is located in Manapouri, a 20 minute drive south of Te Anau. It can only be accessed by booking a tour as it involves a boat trip accross Lake Manapouri, followed by a bus trip over the Wilmont Pass before you arrive at Doubtful Sound. There is extensive information on the internet regarding these tours and it pays to book ahead.
40 recommandé par les habitants
Doubtful Sound / Patea
The departure point for Doubtful Sound cruises is located in Manapouri, a 20 minute drive south of Te Anau. It can only be accessed by booking a tour as it involves a boat trip accross Lake Manapouri, followed by a bus trip over the Wilmont Pass before you arrive at Doubtful Sound. There is extensive information on the internet regarding these tours and it pays to book ahead.
The Kepler track is a 3 or 4 day loop track in Fiordland with 3 huts available along the route. It can be accessed by driving just south of Te Anau to the control gates, or walking around the lake shore. It is also great for day walks. The huts can be booked through Department of Conservation (DOC) website.
Kepler Track
Kepler TrackThe Kepler track is a 3 or 4 day loop track in Fiordland with 3 huts available along the route. It can be accessed by driving just south of Te Anau to the control gates, or walking around the lake shore. It is also great for day walks. The huts can be booked through Department of Conservation (DOC) website.
A lake cruise on Faith is a must-do while staying in Te Anau. They can be contacted by phoning 0800 FIORDLAND
12 recommandé par les habitants
Faith in Fiordland
85 Lakefront DrA lake cruise on Faith is a must-do while staying in Te Anau. They can be contacted by phoning 0800 FIORDLAND
The Glowworm Caves are another must-do while staying in Te Anau and can be booked through RealNZ
15 recommandé par les habitants
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
85 Lakefront DriveThe Glowworm Caves are another must-do while staying in Te Anau and can be booked through RealNZ
There is lots of things to do during your stay in Te Anau. A good start is the DOC centre where you will find information on all the walking tracks in the area along with other information. Other activities include:
Fiordland Jet
Pedal boats
Farm tours, horse trekking, quad bikes - Westray Adventures
Bird sanctuary
Control gates walk
Fiordland cinema
Library
Ivan Wilson Park - disc golf
Mini golf
Bike hire
Vintage Machinery museum
Fiordland cruise - Cruise Te Anau
Pump track
Tennis court
Te Anau golf course
Lions Park - flying fox
Events Centre - climbing wall
19 recommandé par les habitants
Te Anau
There is lots of things to do during your stay in Te Anau. A good start is the DOC centre where you will find information on all the walking tracks in the area along with other information. Other activities include:
Fiordland Jet
Pedal boats
Farm tours, horse trekking, quad bikes - Westray Adventures
Bird sanctuary
Control gates walk
Fiordland cinema
Library
Ivan Wilson Park - disc golf
Mini golf
Bike hire
Vintage Machinery museum
Fiordland cruise - Cruise Te Anau
Pump track
Tennis court
Te Anau golf course
Lions Park - flying fox
Events Centre - climbing wall
One of Te Anau's favourite attractions. The Trout Observatory has been in operation for over 40 years and is still one of the best value things to do in Te Anau.
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
24 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau
Te Anau Trout Observatory
2A Lakefront DrOne of Te Anau's favourite attractions. The Trout Observatory has been in operation for over 40 years and is still one of the best value things to do in Te Anau.
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
24 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau
Milford Sound
If you're driving to Milford Sound, don't miss a series of spectacular short walks that can break up the journey.
One of the best is known as Key Summit, which is accessed by pulling into "The Divide" carpark about halfway along the road to Milford Sound.
You'll walk a small part of the iconic Routeburn Track, before branching off to reach Key Summit, which has magnificent views of the Hollyford Valley and surrounding mountains.
It's hard to imagine that 14,000 years ago, the summit was covered in around 500 metres of ice – all part of a giant glacier flow during the last ice age.
Key Summit
If you're driving to Milford Sound, don't miss a series of spectacular short walks that can break up the journey.
One of the best is known as Key Summit, which is accessed by pulling into "The Divide" carpark about halfway along the road to Milford Sound.
You'll walk a small part of the iconic Routeburn Track, before branching off to reach Key Summit, which has magnificent views of the Hollyford Valley and surrounding mountains.
It's hard to imagine that 14,000 years ago, the summit was covered in around 500 metres of ice – all part of a giant glacier flow during the last ice age.
Fiordland is a majestic area of New Zealand, created by huge geological forces and carved out by water and ice. The best way to experience the natural wonders of Fiordland is from the waterways these competing forces left behind.
On lake Te Anau a relaxing cruise with Cruise Te Anau or a sail on the Faith in Fiordland are perfect ways to spend an afternoon. If you want something a little faster than a jetboat tour with Fiordland Jet on the Waiau River is a classic Te Anau experience.
Lake Manapōuri is New Zealand’s most beautiful lake with its towering mountains, scattered islands and golden beaches. Few people realise that you can book a private cruise on Lake Manapōuri through Tracknet and Lake Manapōuri Water Taxi, which can be tailored to your group’s needs.
For those wanting to venture further, Pātea (Doubtful Sound) remains a more exclusive experience than the world-famous Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), with far fewer daily visitors.
A high-speed day cruise with Real NZ is a perfect way to experience Pātea for those short on time. You will spend up to three hours of this eight-hour experience in Doubtful Sound itself, giving you plenty of time to soak in some of its most captivating landmarks.
For the active and adventurous, a day trip with Doubtful Sound Kayak is a must-do! They operate group tours of just ten people, giving you the chance to run your fingers through the cerulean blue water and gaze up at the sheer cliff faces.
The ultimate way to experience Pātea however, is on an overnight cruise with Fiordland Cruises. They combine the best elements of the other tours, with a small group size, the chance to go kayaking and exclusive opportunities such as fishing! The memories from this 28-hour trip will last a lifetime.
The biggest tip I can give you is to book early for kayaking and overnight tours; they can fill up as much as a year ahead!
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland is a majestic area of New Zealand, created by huge geological forces and carved out by water and ice. The best way to experience the natural wonders of Fiordland is from the waterways these competing forces left behind.
On lake Te Anau a relaxing cruise with Cruise Te Anau or a sail on the Faith in Fiordland are perfect ways to spend an afternoon. If you want something a little faster than a jetboat tour with Fiordland Jet on the Waiau River is a classic Te Anau experience.
Lake Manapōuri is New Zealand’s most beautiful lake with its towering mountains, scattered islands and golden beaches. Few people realise that you can book a private cruise on Lake Manapōuri through Tracknet and Lake Manapōuri Water Taxi, which can be tailored to your group’s needs.
For those wanting to venture further, Pātea (Doubtful Sound) remains a more exclusive experience than the world-famous Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), with far fewer daily visitors.
A high-speed day cruise with Real NZ is a perfect way to experience Pātea for those short on time. You will spend up to three hours of this eight-hour experience in Doubtful Sound itself, giving you plenty of time to soak in some of its most captivating landmarks.
For the active and adventurous, a day trip with Doubtful Sound Kayak is a must-do! They operate group tours of just ten people, giving you the chance to run your fingers through the cerulean blue water and gaze up at the sheer cliff faces.
The ultimate way to experience Pātea however, is on an overnight cruise with Fiordland Cruises. They combine the best elements of the other tours, with a small group size, the chance to go kayaking and exclusive opportunities such as fishing! The memories from this 28-hour trip will last a lifetime.
The biggest tip I can give you is to book early for kayaking and overnight tours; they can fill up as much as a year ahead!