Exploring Te Anau: Gateway to Fiordland
Te Anau, located in Southland on the South Island, is the southernmost of the lake towns and is the gateway to the famous Milford Sound. It also provides access to three of the Fiordland National Park Great Walks: the Kepler Track, Milford Track, and Routeburn Track. These multiday trails offer some of the most breathtaking hiking experiences in the region, while short to half-day walks on the tracks are also available from Te Anau.
A Town with Its Own Charm
In recent years, Te Anau has developed a distinct character, transforming from a mere stopover into a destination worth exploring. The town centre has been attractively redesigned, and a shared footpath and cycleway now line the Te Anau lakefront, enhancing the area's appeal. Various tourism services are available to transport you to a variety of walking and cycling routes throughout Fiordland and Southland.
The Ivon Wilson Reserve, though not widely known, is a delightful discovery. Its well-established parkland would be a celebrated feature in many other New Zealand towns. Across from the reserve, you can also see takahe and other native birds at Punanga Manu o Te Anau.
Timing Your Visit
If you're planning to visit Milford Sound, be aware that buses arrive in large numbers around 8 a.m. To avoid the crowds, consider visiting a café and timing your drive along the Milford Road for a bit earlier or later. Regardless of your plans, Te Anau now offers enough attractions and activities to warrant a stay, making it a destination in its own right.
Early History
Te Anau was significant to Ngāi Tahu iwi, who travelled through the region for generations, drawn by its abundant food sources and pounamu routes to Westland. The lake’s name, derived from the Māori Te Ana-au, means “the cave of swirling water” and refers to the Te Anau caves, limestone caverns on the western shore with underground rivers and glowworms, long known to Māori
European discovery came in 1852 when surveyor Charles Nairn and explorer William Stephen spotted Lake Te Anau while exploring the inland regions of Southland. European settlement began in earnest in the late 19th century, with sheep farming and surveying expeditions paving the way for a small community.
The town remained isolated until transport links improved in the 1900s, and the caves were only officially rediscovered by Europeans in 1948. The road to Milford Sound was also completed around this time, setting the stage for future tourism.
How to Get There
The drive from Queenstown to Te Anau takes approximately 2 hours via State Highways 6 and State Highway 94. This part of the Southern Scenic Route takes you through the heart of Southland's stunning landscapes. Once in Te Anau, you can explore the town and its surroundings or take the Milford Sound Highway (SH94) north to the Eglinton Valley, Hollyford Valley, Homer Tunnel and Milford Sound.
Nearby, you can also visit the charming town of Manapouri, known for its lake and access to Doubtful Sound. You can also discover shorter options on the Great Walks for the Kepler Track, Routeburn and Milford Track.
