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Town in Southland, New Zealand
Photo: Harald Selke, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Te Anau is a small town on the shore of Lake Te Anau, in the Southland region of the South Island. It is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Road.
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A boat trip and guided tour into the Aurora Caves system by walking path and small boats within the cave itself where you will see thousands of glow worms. The caves are only accessible by boat, and Real Journeys operates a quality catamaran for a 30-minute cruise each way. You'll spend approximately 35 min underground, where you will see some spectacular underground waterfalls, some high ceilings, and many other interesting things with a professional guide. It is not suitable for everyone. You will have to bend over considerably at the entrance, which is only 1 m high for 3-4 m. Promotions often apply.
Te Ana-au
"The cave of swirling water", it is the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand (after Lake Taupo) and the largest in the South Island. North Fiord, Middle Fiord and South Fiord are the only inland NZ fiords.
Off Hollyford Road on the way to Milford lies one of the most beautiful places on earth.
A short walk from downtown, the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary provides the unique opportunity to view some of New Zealand's rarest endangered birds. Be sure to see the takahē, a large flightless bird with beautiful blue plumage and an enormous red beak. With only about 500 takahē left in the world, this is perhaps your only opportunity to see this majestic bird.
This track starts from near Te Anau, and the section around the lake to Brod Bay and back makes a pleasant gentle day walk. The complete track ( a circular route) usually takes 3 or 4 days and climbs to 1470 m. Connections from Te Anau by bus or water taxi (to Brod Bay) are available in summer.
A 32 km walking track, part of the Great Walks. There are 4 huts on the track, but you may complete the walk in 3 days. Book the huts a few months in advance - booking opens in May or June. The two ends of the track are 350 km apart by road, so travel needs to be planned.
This has been described as the greatest walk in the world. It is very popular and the many dates are fully booked within hours of booking opening in June for the following summer. The track starts with a ferry ride from Te Anau Downs, and there are connecting shuttle buses available. The track takes 4 days if you are walking independently.
A boutique cruise to the South Fiord of Lake Te Anau and a gentle bush/nature walk to discover the Hidden Lakes.
For pizza, pasta and both Italian & NZ wines.
Specialist pie shop that has a range of fresh pies, sandwiches, cake slices and other treats, and great coffee, all to take away. The pies are packed with meat.
Serves food and drink. Warm atmosphere, cozy pub-feel and the rustic small-town kindly atmosphere you would expect in NZ.
Country-style cafe open for breakfast and brunch.
Te Anau's main supermarket, also the best place to buy beer and wine.
Smaller supermarket with groceries and some prepared meals.
Just outside the township overlooking a deer farm and a mighty fine view of the sunset when nature treats you right.
Pretty close to the town centre, doubles with a shared common area for $78, dorm beds from $28.
Clean and modern motel by the lakeside, with great service. Rooms have kitchenettes.
Good self-contained units and helpful owners.
A quirky pioneer-styled hotel, with an attached restaurant. Internet for $5/day
Quiet homestay with kitchen, living room with TV, free WiFi & off-street parking. 3 rooms only.
Buy and rent DVDs, video games, and CDs, but a terrible selection of used books. Friendly staff.
Buy or hire most tramping gear you may need for one of the nearby tracks.
By bus
InterCity Coachlines run buses to Te Anau from Queenstown and Milford Sound. The Queenstown departure is early morning, so same day connections are not available.
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Queenstown · International · ZQN
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