Te Anau:
The gateway to Fiordland

Discover Te Anau

View over Te Anau golf course towards Fiordland National Park

While many come to Te Anau for an overnight stop on the way to Milford Sound, what they end up discovering is a friendly and relaxed township well worth exploring for longer.

Known as the Gateway to Fiordland, Te Anau is where the drive to Milford Sound begins and is the stepping-off point for three of New Zealand’s Great Walks; Milford, Kepler and Routeburn. Lake Te Anau is also New Zealand’s second-largest lake, making the area a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

On the other side of the lake is the spectacular Fiordland National Park, which appears to beckon from across the water. Three large inland fiords create arms revealing remote beaches, green mountains of beech forests, glow worm caves and a strictly protected takāhe rehabilitation reserve.

All you need to know about Te Anau

Here’s everything you need to know about one of our favourite small towns in New Zealand.

Te Anau Township

Aerial view of Te Anau township

With a population of around 2,500, Te Anau is a small town situated between two of New Zealand’s biggest tourist hot spots – Queenstown and Milford Sound. Te Anau holds its own with an impressive list of things to do that focus on getting out and exploring Fiordland. Discover everything you need to know about getting to Te Anau and making the most of one of New Zealand’s best little towns.

Te Anau Weather

The weather in Te Anau is generally milder and drier than Milford Sound. However, the influence of the nearby coast and Southern Alps mountain range means this can change quickly. Here’s everything you need to know about the weather in Te Anau throughout the year, as well as helpful tips on how to prepare for South Island conditions.
Find out more about Te Anau weather.

Where to Eat in Te Anau

Te Anau offers a great selection of restaurants, pubs and cafés whether you’re looking for your first caffeine hit of the day or a special dinner out. For a taste of local produce, try some blue cod or crayfish (lobster) freshly caught from the nearby West Coast, and the local venison. Find out where to go for Te Anau’s best dining and discover the locals’ favourite food trucks. Discover dining in Te Anau.

Lake Te Anau

Glacially-carved lakes are scattered throughout the South Island, but Lake Te Anau is the largest of them all. 60 km long and 400 m deep, Lake Te Anau is flanked by the spectacular wilderness of Fiordland on its eastern side and rolling hills of rural settlements on its western side. Explore Lake Te Anau’s cruises, lakeside walking tracks and photo spots.
Things to do on Lake Te Anau.

Te Anau Walks

From around the globe, outdoor enthusiasts flock to Te Anau for its pristine wilderness and well-maintained huts and trails. Te Anau is the stepping-off point for three of New Zealand’s Great Walks; the Kepler, the Routeburn and the world-famous Milford Track. Discover Te Anau’s best walks and how to prepare for walking in the South Island. Learn more about where to hike and walk in Te Anau.

Te Anau Flora and Fauna

On the edge of one of New Zealand’s most significant areas of natural wilderness, Te Anau has a strong focus on conservation and protection. For anyone interested in New Zealand wildlife, a visit to the Te Anau Birdlife Sanctuary is a must. Discover native wildlife in Te Anau.

Return to EXPLORE MILFORD SOUND

FAQ

Do you provide disabled/wheelchair access?

We have a wheelchair ramp available for our vessels in Milford Sound. There are no wheelchair-accessible toilets onboard the vessel. We ask that you advise us prior to travelling.

Where do Milford Sound cruises leave from?

All cruises leave from and return to the wharf at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal.

Do you operate on Christmas Day?

All trips operate on different schedules. Please refer to the individual trip for dates and times. Most experiences operate on Christmas day, but are subject to schedule updates and weather.

Will I see wildlife?

Milford Sound has an abundance of wildlife and is home to New Zealand fur seals and bottlenose dolphins year-round. Rare Dusky dolphins are known to visit the fiord and the world’s rarest penguin, the Fiordland Crested Penguin/Tawaki visits Milford during breeding season (August - November) and moulting season (March/April). While there is wildlife in Milford Sound, we can’t guarantee sightings as these are wild animals in their natural habitat. A visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory offers more wildlife viewing opportunities with an abundance of sea life below the surface.

What cruise is best for wildlife viewing?

Every cruise provides the opportunity to view wildlife, but we cannot guarantee sightings. Our Nature Cruise includes plenty of stops for viewing the amazing geology and occasional wildlife, our skipper and friendly boat hosts will be sure to point out any wildlife.

Do your lunches have vegetarian options?

Yes, picnic lunches can be ordered as vegetarian or vegan. You can select this when booking online.

Which Milford Cruise is best for kids?

All cruises are suitable for children.

What’s the difference between the cruises?

Please check out our Cruise Comparison table, where you can see our range of cruises and the vessels. https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/milford-sound/cruises-compare/

What should I bring on my Milford Sound cruise?

Due to the changeable nature of the weather in Milford Sound, it’s a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket, warm clothing and to wear comfortable shoes. We also have ponchos available for purchase so you can enjoy a glacial facial under Stirling Falls.

Is there somewhere to get a coffee or snack in Milford?

Yes, Discover Milford Sound Information Centre & Cafe is the perfect place to grab a coffee or a hot snack before or after your cruise. It's located beside the main carpark and is a short 15-minute walk to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal.

Is there parking in Milford Sound?

Yes, there is paid car parking at the Milford Sound public car park. This car park does fill quickly in the summer months, so we advise getting there early.

Are there sandflies?

There are sandflies in Milford Sound. To avoid being bitten, bring mosquito spray with you and wear long-sleeve clothing and trousers. Mosquito spray is available for purchase from Discover Milford Sound Cafe & Information Centre in Milford Sound.

Do you have a webcam in Milford Sound?

Yes, you can view how the weather and day looks. Check out our Milford Sound webcam here.

What weather can I expect in Fiordland?

Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in the world with an average annual rainfall of 7 metres per year. Rainfall can reach 250 millimetres in 24 hours and creates dozens of temporary waterfalls (as well as several more permanent ones) that cascade down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand metres in height. The high rainfall is why Milford Sound is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and rainforest. The temperature in Milford can vary depending on the season and can go from an average high of 19C (66F) in summer (Dec – Feb) to 9C (48F) in winter (Jun – Aug). All our vessels have spacious indoor areas with comfortable seating for cruising in all weather conditions.

Do you have COVID-19 restrictions in place?

Southern Discoveries complies with all government guidelines for COVID-19. Currently, while there are no specific regulations in our activity, we have advanced cleaning and staff protocols in place to improve the safety of our customers and team.

Is it worth going to Milford/Doubtful Sounds on a wet day?

Milford Sound is the wettest place in New Zealand and one of the wettest places in the world! Many visitors are shocked to know that this true world wonder actually measures its rainfall in metres (and not millimetres like most of the world.) In fact, in 2016 Milford Sound received over nine metres of rain! Doubtful Sound is also rainy with an average of 3-6 metres of rain per year. Both fiords are magnificent to visit in rainy weather due to the significant amount of waterfalls. The fiords come alive with water streaming down sheer cliffs - a magical sight not to be missed.

How likely are we to see wildlife in Fiordland?

Altough we cannot guarantee wildlife viewing, it is very likely that you will see the New Zealand fur seal, and likely more than just one or two! Dolphins are often sighted swimming alongside cruise vessels. Two species of penguins make Milford Sound their home at various times throughout the year. Little blue penguis and the Fiordland crested penguin - known at the Tawaki. Often hard to find and see, it is always a delight to spot them when we do.

How long does it take to travel to Milford Sound?

It takes approximately five hours to get to Milford from Queenstown depending on the time of year and road conditions. It takes approximately two hours to get to Milford Sound from Te Anau. You can drive a car or campervan or take a coach tour. We always recommend allowing plenty of time to get to Milford as the journey there is as spectacular as the cruise itself.

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Get in touch

in New Zealand

0800 264 536

Overseas

+64 3 441 1137

reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz

Te Anau:The gateway to Fiordland