11 Things to Do in Te Anau: More Than Just a Milford Gateway

Are you wondering what there is to do in Te Anau and whether it's worth staying for more than a night? Or perhaps you've already decided to spend a few days there and are trying to figure out how to fill your itinerary.

Many travelers treat Te Anau as little more than a stopover on the way to Milford Sound. I know I certainly did on my first visit. But during my year living in New Zealand, I returned multiple times and ended up spending more than two weeks in and around Te Anau.

The more time I spent there, the more I realized just how much this little lakeside town has to offer. From glowworms and rare birds to some of New Zealand's best hiking, stargazing, and more, Te Anau is so much more than a gateway to Milford Sound.

Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Te Anau, my favorite day trips in the area, and suggested itineraries to help you make the most of your time there.

Is Te Anau Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Te Anau offers so much to travelers, whether you're looking for wildlife, stunning lake and mountain views in a quiet town, or day trips to some of New Zealand's best scenery in Fiordland National Park.

Why I Think Te Anau is Worth More Than One Night

Spending only one night in Te Anau before or after a Milford Sound day trip doesn't leave much time to experience everything this area has to offer. Even if you have a packed New Zealand itinerary, I think Te Anau is one spot worth spending a bit of extra time in if you can, especially if you enjoy hiking and the outdoors.

I've spent over two weeks in Te Anau itself (and close to a month in greater Fiordland). Even then, I still have a growing list of experiences that make me want to return. To me, that's the sign of a truly special destination.

Top Things to Do in Te Anau

These are the activities in Te Anau that I loved and keep returning to (or still have at the top of my list) after spending more than two weeks there.

1. Visit the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary

Visiting the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is one of the best free things to do in the area. While it's fairly small, it's home to one of New Zealand's rarest birds: the takahē.

Takahē were once thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered in 1948. Since then, New Zealand's Department of Conservation has been working hard to revive the species and now there's an estimated 500 of them.

You likely won't see a takahē in the wild so seeing them at this bird sanctuary that's part of the Takahē Recovery Program is likely your best bet. It's right outside of town too–just an easy 20 minute walk along the lake or a quick drive away.

Every time I go to Te Anau now I stop by this sanctuary to see these unique birds. It's been fun visiting at different times and seeing the baby takahē growing up.

2. Walk Along the Te Anau Lakefront

Te Anau offers some of the best lake and mountain views in New Zealand. The lakefront tends to be quieter too than busier spots like Queenstown.

I always enjoy going for a walk along the lake when I'm in town. There are loads of benches along the way too, so sometimes I enjoy just sitting there for a while taking in the views.

The lake tends to be good for swimming too although it can be quite cold, so brace yourself!

If you do hop in the water, keep in mind that Lake Te Anau is home to an invasive algae called didymo. I actually learned about didymo the hard way while camping at Henry Creek. Since it can spread on wet gear, it's important to Check, Clean, Dry any equipment before heading onto hiking trails or visiting other lakes or rivers.

3. Hike the Kepler Track

Just across the lake from town, the Kepler Track is Te Anau's top hiking trail. I spent three days walking the track, and it's been one of my favorite Great Walks so far.

The track is home to jaw-dropping alpine scenery, one of my favorite huts in New Zealand, and a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.

And even if you don't have the time or energy for the full Kepler Track, there are a number of day hikes you can do instead:

• Mount Luxmore (15.7 miles/25.3 km out and back from Brod Bay): You can take a water taxi out and back from town for this hike. It's quite strenuous for a day hike, but I've met a number of people who have done it and found it doable.
• Rainbow Reach Car Park to Control Gates (Kepler Track Car Park) (12 miles/19.3km out and back): This is a more relaxed hike that's mostly flat alongside the Waiau River, where they filmed for The Lord of the Rings. You definitely don't have to walk the full thing–I would just walk as long as you want and then turn back.

4. Join a Glowworm Tour

One of the top unique things to do in all of New Zealand is to see glowworms. You can see them all over the country, but there are only a few places where you can go on guided tours to learn about them and get some of the best viewing.

And Te Anau has one of the best glowworm tours in the country.

I'll be honest: I've done the other notable tour in Waitomo Caves too, and I think I preferred that one. But the two tours are pretty similar and this one in Te Anau is really good too. Since you already have plans to be in Te Anau, I think it's absolutely worth going on the tour here.

Aside from seeing the glowworms in the caves there, I really loved that this tour involves taking a boat across the lake. During the boat ride, you get even better views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It's such a special bonus to the tour!

5. Grab a Pie From Miles Better Pies

You can't visit New Zealand and NOT eat an iconic meat pie. Even if you're vegetarian, some of the shops have vegetarian options.

And Miles Better Pies in Te Anau is absolutely one of the best meat pie shops in New Zealand. It's not just me who thinks so–I constantly see Miles Better Pies recommended in New Zealand travel Facebook groups.

I make it a point to get at least one pie here (if not more!) every time I visit. My favorites are the classic steak and cheese and the lamb and mint. I've heard the venison is really good too–I imagine that meat is super fresh since there are venison farms not too far from town.

6. Have Breakfast at the Sandfly Cafe

Te Anau has lots of lovely little cafes, but the Sandfly Cafe is my favorite. From yummy breakfasts to lunch dishes and their mountain views, it's such a great spot for a slow morning, especially if you're tired from all your adventures in the area.

My mouth is watering as I write this and am thinking about their mixed berry buttermilk pancakes. I've had them at least three times now… I know I should try something else, but I just can't say no to those pancakes.

And I'm not the only one in love with this cafe. It seems like every time I visit, it's super busy, even when I was in Te Anau at the end of April and the rest of town was pretty quiet.

7. See a Local Film at Fiordland Cinema

I haven't yet been to Fiordland Cinema, a cute local theater, but I really regret it. Whenever I return to Te Anau, I want to go there to see the two local films Deer Wars and Ate Whenua – Shadowland.

Deer wars is a 30-minute documentary on this unique time in New Zealand when people would hunt deer via HELICOPTER. One of my tour guides told me about it once, and I would love to learn more.

Ate Whenua – Shadowland is another short documentary that showcases Fiordland National Park. Especially now that I've spent so much time in the park, I'd love to see this film and take in even more sights of Fiordland.

If you need to escape Fiordland's famous rain or just want a chill thing to do after so much time on your feet, Fiordland Cinema seems like the perfect spot. Aside from these local films, the theater also shows some of the latest blockbuster hits.

8. Go Stargazing

With its remote location and small size, Te Anau is a great place to go stargazing. So don't forget to step outside at least once late at night and take in the beautiful skies!

Last time I was there, I could even see the Milky Way. It was incredible.

I haven't managed to catch the aurora australis (southern lights) in Te Anau yet, but I've seen it several times elsewhere on New Zealand's South Island. I imagine Te Anau would be a great spot to see them if you're lucky enough when they're active. Keep in mind that they're usually not very visible to the naked eye, so you might have to pull out your phone camera to see them.

Adventures Beyond Te Anau

While you can see there's so much to do in Te Anau itself, you'd be remiss NOT to take advantage of all the amazing day trips in the area as well. From boat cruises to epic hiking opportunities, some of my most memorable moments in New Zealand have been just outside of Te Anau.

9. Take a Day Trip to Milford Sound

No visit to Te Anau, or even New Zealand for that matter, is complete without a trip to Milford Sound. This beautiful fiord is home to striking mountains jutting out of the water, wildlife like dolphins and fur seals, and–if you get lucky and visit on a rainy day–spectacular waterfalls.

I've been to Milford Sound three times now, and it never gets old. It can get a little chaotic though, so I highly recommend booking with a small group tour. On the tour, you'll get a ride there, making stops along the way (the drive is part of what makes it special too), and then take a boat cruise around the fiord.

And while it's absolutely possible to drive yourself to Milford Sound, I personally think first-time visitors may enjoy taking a guided tour instead. That way, you can sit back, enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Milford Road, and learn more about the area without worrying about navigating unfamiliar roads.

10. Spend the Night on a Doubtful Sound Cruise

If you've already done Milford Sound or you're looking for a similar experience but want to avoid the crowds, choose Doubtful Sound. And while you can take day trips there, I think it's most special to visit on an overnight cruise.

My dad and I did the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise earlier this year, and it's been one of the most special travel experiences I've ever done. It was quite pricey, but even so, I'd love to go again and take my mom.

There's something incredibly special about waking up surrounded by misty mountains and realizing that, aside from the handful of people on your boat, you have this vast fiord almost entirely to yourselves. I enjoyed kayaking, jumping in the freezing water, and then taking in the sunset too. Plus, the food was divine, and our room was so cozy.

If you're looking for a really special experience for your New Zealand trip, I highly recommend this cruise.

11. Experience More of Fiordland National Park

Fiordland is New Zealand's largest national park. As you can imagine, there's so much to explore throughout the park. Here are some of my favorite things I've done there.

Day Hikes

These are three of the most popular standout day hikes in Fiordland National Park, all located off Milford Road.

• Key Summit Track (5.1 miles/8.2 km out and back): This is a fairly mellow day hike that starts on the Routeburn Track from The Divide, a little over an hour from Te Anau. It has great views of the surrounding mountains, and you can even see Lake Marian from here.
• Lake Marian Track (3.9 miles/6.2 km out and back): This moderately challenging hike starts a bit farther down Milford Road and leads you up a rocky trail to a bright blue glacial lake surrounded by mountains.
• Gertrude Saddle (5.4 miles/8.7 km out and back): This is a challenging hike that requires route finding and should ONLY be attempted on a clear sunny day. You climb up some rocks with the help of chains and eventually get views of Milford Sound. I'm terrified of heights so was worried about this one, but I loved it!

Great Walks

Aside from the Kepler Track that's right inside Te Anau, Fiordland National Park is home to three other Great Walks, all of which I've done:

• Routeburn Track (2-3 days): One end of this point-to-point track starts a little over an hour from Te Anau. This was my second Great Walk and one of my favorites so far.
• Milford Track (4 days): The Milford Track starts with a boat ride from Te Anau Downs and ends with a boat ride in Milford Sound. It's my favorite Great Walk so far and so worth the hype!
• Hump Ridge Track (3 days): New Zealand's newest Great Walk, the Hump Ridge Track, is about 1.5 hours from Te Anau. If you're looking for a mix of mountain and beach scenery, it's a lovely walk for that.

Camping

I really enjoyed camping at Henry Creek Campsite in Fiordland. I fell asleep just steps from Lake Te Anau and woke up to peaceful lake and mountain views that I practically had all to myself.

I found it a convenient base for exploring Milford Road while still being close enough to civilization in Te Anau. The only issue? Horrible sandflies and mosquitos, so make sure to bring plenty of bug spray if you stay there too.

Suggested Te Anau Itineraries

As you think about your visit to Te Anau, here are a few itineraries to help you make your plans.

1 Day: Milford Sound

If you only have one day in Te Anau and are planning to see Milford, that will take up almost the whole day. However, you can still enjoy a few other gems in the area.

• Milford Sound
• Lakefront
• Bird sanctuary

2 Days: More Than Just Milford Sound

For two days in Te Anau, you have a few options.

For Hikers

Day 1:

• Mount Luxmore day hike
• Lakefront

Day 2:

• Milford Sound tour
• Bird sanctuary

For Wildlife Lovers Not Looking to Hike

Day 1:

• Milford Sound tour

Day 2:

• Sandfly Cafe
• Glowworm tour
• Miles Better Pies
• Lakefront
• Bird sanctuary
• Fiordland Cinema

3 Days: The Best of Te Anau

Three days is a great amount of time to fit in a Milford cruise and see all or most of the best things to do in Te Anau.

For Hikers

Day 1:

• Mount Luxmore day hike

Day 2:

• Milford Sound tour

Day 3:

• Sandfly Cafe
• Glowworm tour
• Miles Better Pies
• Lakefront
• Bird sanctuary
• Fiordland Cinema

For Wildlife Lovers Not Looking to Hike

Day 1:

• Milford Sound tour

Day 2:

• Sandfly cafe
• Glowworm tour
• Miles Better Pies
• Doubtful Sound overnight cruise

Day 3:

• Doubtful Sound overnight cruise
• Miles Better Pies again
• Lakefront
• Bird sanctuary

4+ Days: My Ideal Te Anau Itinerary for Hikers

If you love hiking, I truly think Te Anau deserves at least four days. Between the Great Walks and spectacular day hikes nearby, you could easily spend a week here and still leave with more trails on your list. Here's a sample itinerary to consider.

Day 1:

• Mount Luxmore day hike

Day 2:

• Milford Sound tour

Day 3:

• Key Summit, Lake Marian, or Gertrude Saddle day hike (depending on your experience and weather conditions)

Day 4:

• Sandfly Cafe
• Glowworm tour
• Miles Better Pies
• Lakefront
• Bird sanctuary
• Fiordland Cinema

Additional Days:

• More day hikes or one of the Great Walks

Where to Stay in Te Anau

During my time in Te Anau, I've stayed at three different places. Even though it's a small town, with it being such a tourist hub, there are plenty of options for a range of budgets. They can, however, book up fairly quickly, so I recommend making your reservation sooner rather than later!

📍Camping Option: Henry Creek Campsite is perfect if you're looking to get out in nature a bit and get the cheapest stay. It's only 20 minutes from town and farther along Milford Road, making it a great base. Keep in mind though that facilities are limited–there are no showers, filtered water, or flush toilets (only pit toilets).

📍Budget and Mid-Range Options: Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers is where I stay every time I go to Te Anau solo. It's one of my favorite hostels in New Zealand. They have private rooms there as well.

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels is another good place to stay with a variety of accommodation options from unpowered tent sites to studio apartments. My dad and I stayed in one of their cabins. This would be my first choice if I were to go back with someone else.

📍Luxury Option: Radfords on the Lake is considered to be one of the nicest hotels in town. It has apartment style rooms in a great location right in the middle of town along the lakefront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to visiting Te Anau.

Book Your Visit to Te Anau

I hope this guide has given you all sorts of ideas on things to do in Te Anau and convinced you to carve out more than just one night in this little Fiordland town.

Te Anau sits in such a special part of Aotearoa New Zealand, and if you had all the time in the world, you could spend weeks there exploring. I know I have and I can't stay away! I'm already thinking I need to try to go back and see more if I can again next summer.

With so many people visiting Te Anau each year, especially in summer months, activities and accommodations in the area can book up quickly. I recommend you start booking as soon as possible so you can secure your plans.

➡️ Book Accommodation Here

➡️ Book Your Glowworm Caves Tour Here

➡️ Book Your Milford Sound Tour Here

➡️ Book Your Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Here