Discover Lake Mistletoe
Lake Mistletoe is a small lake carved out by glacial action, located north of Te Anau, just off State Highway 94, near Boat Harbour and Te Anau Downs. This quiet spot is perfect for a short break from your journey, with an easy track, a lovely small lake and the chance to see native wildlife.
Walking Tracks and Scenic Views
The Lake Mistletoe track provides two walking options. You can choose a short 20-minute return walk to a viewpoint above the lake or extend your walk to 40 minutes to include a secondary wetland area. Starting from the car park, the path leads through a regenerating beech forest and native scrub, culminating at a scenic viewpoint with a picnic table overlooking the small lake. Here, you might spot native scaup, known as pāpango, diving in the water.
A Calm and Reflective Environment
The area around Lake Mistletoe is sheltered, often resulting in calm conditions that create beautiful reflections on the lake's surface. There is no access to the lake, so it is all about the view. It's an ideal spot to relax and unwind, providing a refreshing pause during your drive.
How to Get There
To reach Lake Mistletoe, head north on State Highway 94 from Te Aanau for 20 minutes (28 km). The car park is located on the right-hand side of the road, just before you reach Te Anau Downs.
Continuing north, you can visit the Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley and Lake Gunn, before heading to Milford Sound.
