In addition to providing visitors with the opportunity to see and experience the pristine landscapes of the Fiordland National Park, the picturesque town of Te Anau serves as the park’s primary visitor hub.
Whether you prefer to stay in a lodge, hotel, or campground, Te Anau is a wonderful place to overnight when visiting Milford Sound and offers everything you need for the ultimate weekend getaway.
This includes a number of local restaurants serving up mouthwatering cuisine, scenic flights, fishing, kayaking, and cruises on the surrounding lakes and fiords.
If you’re looking for something unique to do while you’re here, the Te Anau Glowworn Caves are definitely not to be missed!
There is also a bird sanctuary that features a variety of rare species which are hard to observe in the wild.
Want to know more? Te Anau is home to a list of other attractions featured in our comprehensive guide below
The 28 Most Popular Things To Do In Te Anau, New Zealand
28. The Kepler Mire (String Bog)
4.3 (3 reviews)
Location: Manapouri
Web Address: https://landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/naturally-uncommon-ecosystems/wetlands/string-mires/
27. Lake Mistletoe
4.1 (7 reviews)
26. Lake Henry
4.6 (7 reviews)
25. South Mavora Lake
4.6 (11 reviews)
24. Shallow Bay
4.9 (13 reviews)
23. Packrafting New Zealand
4.9 (13 reviews)
Credit: Packrafting New Zealand, Google Maps
Location: Ramparts Rd. Te Anau
Tel: 210-231-2315
Web Address: https://packraftingnz.com/
22. Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum
4.8 (13 reviews)
Credit: T.V. Fjordland, Google Maps
Location: 132 Sandy Brown Rd. Southland
Tel: 21-224-0409
Web Address: http://fiordlandvintagemachinerymuseum.nz/
21. Fiordland Trails Trust – Lake2Lake Trail
4.4 (15 reviews)
Credit: Fiordland Trails Trust – Lake2Lake Trail, Google Maps
Location: Fiordland Trails Trust 116 Town Centre Te Anau
Web Address: http://fiordlandtrails.nz/
20. Lake Te Anau Lookout by Control Gates
4.6 (15 reviews)
Credit: Michelle Y, Google Maps
Location: 202 Golf Course Rd. Te Anau
Web Address: https://freewalks.nz/te-anau/visitor-centre-to-control-gates/
19. Great Walks
4.8 (21 reviews)
Credit: Peter Kurdulija, License, Flickr
Location: Lakefront Drive Te Anau
Tel: 3-249-8514
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/walking-and-tramping/great-walks/
18. North Mavora Lake
4.5 (26 reviews)
17. Te Anau Lions Lookout Point
4.8 (41 reviews)
Credit: Brandon and Steph, Google Maps
Location: 265 Ramparts Rd. Te Anau
Web Address: https://fiordland.org.nz/community/blog/queenstown-to-te-anau-self-drive-stops/
16. Fiordland Escapes
4.8 (43 reviews)
Location: 66 Park Lane Te Anau
Tel: 3-249-9111
Web Address: https://fiordlandescapes.co.nz/
15. Frasers Beach
4.7 (45 reviews)
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/frasers-beach-track/
14. Lake Mistletoe Walking track
4.1 (51 reviews)
Credit: Antoine Paulus, Google Maps
Location: Te Anau Downs
Web Address: http://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/lake-mistletoe-track/
13. Kepler Control Gates
4.5 (52 reviews)
Location: Kepler Track Te Anau
Web Address: http://kepler-control-gates.edan.io/
12. Te Anau Trout Observatory
3.8 (53 reviews)
Credit: Te Anau Trout Observatory, Google Maps
Location: 2A Lakefront Drive Te Anau
Tel: 274-414-443
Web Address: https://teanau.fish/
11. Moturau Hut
4.6 (67 reviews)
Credit: David Baron, License, Flickr
Location: Kepler Track Te Anau
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/huts/moturau-hut/
10. Fiordland Jet
5.0 (100 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Flickr
Location: 84 Lakefront Drive Lakefront Te Anau
Tel: 800-253-826
Web Address: http://fjet.nz/
9. Rainbow Reach
4.7 (167 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Flickr
Location: Kepler Track Te Anau
Tel: 3-249-7924
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/kepler-track-carpark-to-rainbow-reach/
8. Te Anau Glowworm Caves – RealNZ
4.7 (300 reviews)
Credit: Te Anau Glowworm Caves – RealNZ, Google Maps
Location: 85 Lakefront Drive Te Anau
Tel: 3-249-6000
Web Address: https://realnz.com/en/experiences/glowworm-caves/te-anau-glowworm-caves/
7. Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
4.6 (704 reviews)
Credit: rheins, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Lakefront Drive Te Anau
Tel: 3-249-7924
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/
6. RealNZ – Doubtful Sound Manapouri Visitor Centre
4.8 (1,083 reviews)
Location: 64 Waiau St Pearl Harbour Manapouri
Tel: 3-249-6000
Web Address: https://realjourneys.co.nz/
Our Top picks
5. Fiordland National Park
4.9 (35 reviews)
Credit: W. Bulach, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Fiordland National Park Te Anau
Tel: 3-249-7924
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/
4. Doubtful Sound – Patea
4.8 (123 reviews)
Credit: Rod Waddington, License, Flickr
3. Luxmore Hut
4.8 (138 reviews)
Credit: Robert (Bic) Bicknell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Southland
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/huts/luxmore-hut/
2. Punanga Manu o Te Anau – Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
4.5 (948 reviews)
Credit: Timo Volz, Google Maps
Location: RD 162 Manapouri Te Anau Highway Te Anau
Tel: 3-249-0200
Web Address: http://doc.govt.nz/teanaubirdsanctuary
1. Milford Sound – Piopiotahi
4.8 (1,760 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Flickr
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Te Anau, New Zealand! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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