 Te Anau lakeside with blue takahe | ||
| Te Anau | ||
| region | Southland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2.250 (2018), 2.538 (2018), 2.940 (2020) | |
| Tourist info web | www.teanau.net.nz | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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In the province Southland the small town of Te Anau is located directly on the lake of the same name, about halfway between Queenstown and the Milford Sound. Apart from hiking trails, the city is indeed poor in sights, but with its numerous shops, banks, restaurants and overnight accommodations, it is an ideal starting point for exploring the region.
background
Te Anau is located on the lake of the same name, with an area of 344 km² it is the largest lake on the South Island and after the lake Taupo the second largest in the country. The economy of the town of Te Anau is almost entirely dependent on tourism. Almost 3,000 guest beds with around 2,000 residents clearly show this. The city itself doesn't have too much to offer when it comes to sights.
getting there
By plane
By bus
- 1 Inter City, Miro Street. There are bus connections to all major cities on the South Island, including to Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Manapouri and Queenstown.
In the street
Te Anau can be reached by car on well-developed roads. From direction Queenstown only leads the SH 6, then the SH 94 to Te Anau. The journey time is around 3 hours for a distance of around 170 km. From the south Invercargill leads the SH 95 on 190 km to Te Anau, to the Milford Sound the SH 94 continues (driving time 2 hours).
mobility
Dynamic cardsThe center of Te Anau is manageable and everything is within easy walking distance.
Tourist Attractions
Nobody comes to town for the sights. Most tourists visit Te Anau and then continue to Milford Sound. A few goals are still worthwhile:
- 1 Glowworm Caves (Firefly caves). The Te Anau Caves lie on the west side of Lake Te Anau. You are in a stalactite cave which can only be visited with a guide. Realjourneys offers tours for NZ $ 75, duration approx. 2 hours 15 minutes.Start: daily at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., drive from the Visitor Center Te Anau to the cave. The temperature in the caves is around 10 ° C, pay attention to the steps and low passages. Photography is not allowed in the caves, it can be worthwhile on the crossing.
- Wildflife Center. The Wildflife Center is located a little south of Te Anau on the road towards Manapouri and Invercargill, from the visitor center it is about a 10-minute walk. Here you can see rare birds from the region such as the Takahe. This flightless bird has been considered extinct since the 19th century. In 1948, some specimens were rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains. The total population is currently estimated at around 200 animals, more than half of which live in Fiordland National Park. Other native species such as keas and kakas can be found in the Wildlife Center.Price: free entry.
- Ivon Wilson Scenic Reserve Park. The park is less than a 5-minute walk south of the visitor center. The 35 hectare park with mature trees and a beautiful view of the Fiordland mountains is freely accessible.
- Museum in the Fiordland National Park Visitor Center. The small museum tells the story of the national park and its surroundings. It is on Lakefront Drive near the visitor center.Price: free entry.
activities
hike
- Milford Track. The Milford Track is one of the Great walks and known to hikers around the world. The trail leading from Te Anau to the Milford Sound is 54 kilometers long and you should allow around 4 days for the route. Its great popularity makes it necessary to obtain a hiking permit in good time in summer (which you need to stay overnight in a hut).
- Kepler Track. The Kepler Track is also one of the great walks. It runs on a nearly 70-kilometer circular route through the Kepler Mountains. The start and end point are Te Anau and you should plan three to four days for the walk. Apart from a strenuous climb to Mount Luxmore Hut, it's not too demanding. The hiking trail leads past lakes, beech forests and through an impressive alpine backdrop.
Others
- Jet boat rides. On the Waiau River between Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri.
- 1 Fiordland Cinema, 7 The Lane, Te Anau 9600. Tel.: (0)3-2498844, Email: [email protected]. "Ata Whenua - Shadowland" is shown several times a day, a film about Fiordland and also current movies.
shop
Most of the shops are on the street Town Center and their immediate side streets, everything can be easily reached on foot. There are two supermarkets (FreshChoice and Foursquare) both of which are open seven days a week.
kitchen
nightlife
movie theater
- Fiordland Cinema, 7, The Lane. Tel.: 64 3 249 8844. In the cinema, the nature film is shown during the day Ata Whenua - Shadowland (32 min.) With pictures from the Fjordland Wildness shown (every full hour), current films are shown in the evenings, and children's films are also shown on Saturday and Sunday at noon.
accommodation
- 1 Youth Hostel, 29 Mokonui Street, Te Anau 9600. Tel.: (0)3-2497847, Fax: (0)3-2497823, Email: [email protected].
- 2 Backpackers Lodge, 48-50 Lakefront Dr, Te Anau 9600. Tel.: (0)3-2497713, Fax: (0)3-2498319, Email: [email protected].
- 3 Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park, 77 Manapouri - Te Anau Highway, Te Anau 9640. Tel.: (0)3-2497457, Fax: (0)3-2497536, Email: [email protected].
- 6 Fiordland Motel, 42 Lakefront Dr, Te Anau 9600. Tel.: (0)3-2497546, Fax: (0)3-2497814, Email: [email protected].
- 7 Kingsgate Hotel, 20 Lakefront Dr, Te Anau 9600. Tel.: (0)3-2497421, Fax: (0)3-2498037, Email: [email protected].
- 9 Red Tussock Motel, 10 Lakefront Dr, Te Anau 9600. Tel.: (0)3-2499110, Fax: (0)3-2499112, Email: [email protected].
- 10 Radfords on the Lake, 56 Lakefront Dr, Te Anau 9600. Tel.: (0)3-2499186, Fax: (0)3-2499187, Email: [email protected].
Learn
Work
security
health
Practical advice
trips
Te Anau is an ideal starting point for one-day and multi-day tours on the Milford Sound and the Doubtful sound.
literature
Web links
- Website of Te Anau and Manapouri
- Department of Conservation - the DOC offers a lot of helpful information about New Zealand's national parks.
- Fiordland official website
