Te Anau is a picturesque township located on the edge of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on New Zealand's South Island.
It is the main visitor base for Fiordland National Park, a glacier-carved wilderness that is home to three of the nine Great Walks of the country. Te Anau is often referred to as the Walking Capital of the World due to its proximity to these popular hiking trails. The town offers a wide range of accommodation options, including lodges, hotels, and campgrounds. It is best to book ahead in the busy months of January, February, and March. Restaurants are plentiful and offer visitors the opportunity to sample delicious local fare like venison, lobster, and seafood. At the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre, visitors can make plans to walk the Milford, Routeburn, or Kepler Tracks. Apart from hiking, popular local activities include scenic flights, lake cruising, fishing, kayaking, and exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. There is also a bird sanctuary that specializes in native birds. Regularly scheduled bus services are available to and from Te Anau.
Lake Te Anau is the largest of the southern glacial lakes, covering an area of 344 square kilometers. The main body of the lake runs north-south and has three western extensions: North, Middle, and South fjords. Fed by the Clinton and Eglinton rivers, it drains a 1,275-square-mile basin. The lake is surrounded by bush-clad mountains and farmlands, making for a superb alpine setting. There are plenty of activities to pursue at Lake Te Anau. During the summer months, the weather is usually hot, so water skiing, fishing, swimming, and kayaking are some of the preferred activities. During the crisp and clear winter months, visitors can enjoy snow sports like skiing and snowboarding.
Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and few places can rival its surroundings. The small town sits on Lake Te Anau, at the foot of the Kepler and Murchison Mountain Ranges. To the north is the Milford Road leading to famous Milford Sound. To the west is Doubtful Sound, which doesn’t get quite the hype but is three times longer than Milford Sound and ten times larger. In some respects, Te Anau is an unassuming alternative to Queenstown. It has the classic South Island scenery and, with a population of only 2,000, is considerably less busy. Overall, Te Anau and Lake Te Anau offer visitors a wide range of activities and stunning natural beauty. It is the perfect place to base yourself when visiting Fiordland National Park and the Great Walks.