Exploring Te Anau's Scenic Lakefront
Te Anau, in Southland, South Island, is an easy-to-navigate town, making it ideal for walkers and cyclists. A highlight is the lakefront path that stretches from the Upukerora River mouth to the Waiau River lake outlet, just north of town. This path marks the beginning of the renowned Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Cyclists can also enjoy the Lake2Lake Trail, which links Te Anau to Manapouri.
Discovering the Lakefront Path
Starting from the northern end, the track provides views across the lake and a growing suburb in Te Anau. As you head south, you'll pass a marina where you might spot quirky swan boats. Nearby, a park and reserve feature mature exotic trees that provide a pleasant backdrop. The track transitions from a metal road to Te Anau Terrace for cyclists and the Te Anau Waterfront Walkway for walkers. This section takes you past the town centre and various waterfront tourism services, with continuous lake views.
Attractions Along the Route
At the southern end of town, the track becomes shared again. Here, you will pass the DOC Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, a great resource for information. Nearby is the Marakura Wharf, a favourite spot for photographers.
Continuing on, you’ll reach the Punanga Manu o Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, where you can see the very rare tākahe up close. From the sanctuary, you can either walk through to the Ivon Wilson Reserve and Lake Henry or continue around the lake to connect with the Lake2Lake and Kepler tracks.
How to Get There
To reach the start of the lakefront path in Te Anau, head to the Upukerora River mouth, located just north of the town centre. This area is accessible by car or a short walk from most accommodations in Te Anau. Once there, head south along the scenic lakefront.
At the north end of the lake, from State Highway 94, you can explore Te Anau Downs, where the boat for the start of the Milford Track docks, and Lake Mistletoe. To the south, from SH94, you can explore the Waiau River via Queens Reach, with access to the Kepler Track, Rainbow Reach and Boulder Reach, then Lake Manapouri.
