Te Anau Accommodation: Hotels, Hostels & Camping

As the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, Te Anau is undoubtedly on your New Zealand itinerary. But where exactly should you stay?

While many travelers spend just one or two nights in this charming lakeside town, I've spent more than two weeks in Te Anau and the surrounding area while exploring Fiordland. During that time, I split my stays between accommodations in town and camping along Milford Road.

In this guide, I'll walk you through my favorite places to stay in Te Anau, whether you're a solo backpacker, a couple looking for a luxurious getaway, or somewhere in between. I'll share my experiences staying at three different accommodations, along with a few additional recommendations to help you choose the best fit for your trip.

Quick Answer: Where Should You Stay in Te Anau?

Here's where I recommend staying in Te Anau based on what you're looking for:

• Best Overall: Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels*
• Best Hostel: Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers*
• Best Campsite: Henry Creek DOC Campsite*
• Best Luxury: Radfords on the Lake
• Best for Lake Views: Tukare Cabins 

*I've personally stayed at these accommodations.

Is Te Anau a Good Base for Fiordland?

Te Anau is arguably the best base for exploring Fiordland National Park. It's about a two-hour drive from Queenstown and has everything you need, including plenty of accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores, outdoor shops, and the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre.

From Te Anau, you can easily join tours to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound or drive to many of Fiordland's best hiking trails, including the Kepler Track, Routeburn Track, and Milford Road day hikes.

Want to know more about Fiordland's Great Walks? I walked the Kepler Track over three days and the Routeburn Track over two.

While there are a handful of places to stay deeper into Fiordland along Milford Road and even a lodge at Milford Sound, those accommodations are limited, expensive, and often book up well in advance.

Personally, whenever I visit Fiordland now, I stay in Te Anau unless I'm heading into the backcountry for a multi-day hike. Having restaurants, grocery stores, and everything else I need nearby makes it an easy choice, and I don't mind driving to the trailheads each day.

Best Te Anau Accommodations

There are a number of accommodation options in Te Anau. Here are my top picks to consider for your trip based on what you're looking for.

2. Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers

Best for: Solo travelers, backpackers, and budget-conscious visitors who want to stay in town

Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers is one of the most affordable accommodation options in central Te Anau. While it offers a number of shared dorm rooms, there are also private rooms and even glamping tents if you'd prefer a little more privacy.

In the two-plus weeks I've stayed in Te Anau and the surrounding area, this hostel has quickly become my go-to place to stay. It's one of my favorite hostels I've stayed at in all of New Zealand. I appreciate that the beds have curtains for added privacy, and I've generally found it to be a pretty cozy place to stay.

It's located right alongside the lakefront, so you get beautiful views from parts of the hostel, and it's a quick walk to some of the best restaurants and shops in town. I found it easy as a solo traveler to meet others here too.

If you're looking for an affordable place to stay that's social, comfortable, and within walking distance of everything in town, I think Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers is one of the best options available. It's especially great for solo travelers.

➡️ Book Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers Here

3. Henry Creek DOC Campsite

Best for: Campers who want a peaceful lakeside stay surrounded by nature while staying close to town

Henry Creek Campsite is the closest Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite to Te Anau. Located about 20 minutes from town along Milford Road, it's a great base for exploring deeper into Fiordland while still having Te Anau's restaurants, shops, and other amenities within easy reach.

The campsite itself is beautiful, with tent sites tucked among the trees just steps from Lake Te Anau. At $18 NZD per adult per night, it's also one of the most affordable places to stay in the area.

That said, don't expect many facilities. There are only pit toilets—no showers, sinks, or flush toilets—and cell service is limited. You'll also need to filter your own water from the lake. Since Lake Te Anau is home to an invasive algae called didymo, it's important to Check, Clean, Dry any gear before hiking elsewhere in Fiordland.

I spent several nights at this campsite before my walk on the Kepler Track. I was able to find a nice spot on the lake and really loved walking to the shore each day and appreciating the views of the water and surrounding mountains.

For me, the biggest downside was the bugs. The sandflies during the day felt relentless, and at night they were replaced by swarms of mosquitos. Unzipping my tent for just a few seconds to use the toilet at night usually meant coming back to almost a dozen in my tent that I'd have to try to get rid of before bed…

If you're comfortable with basic DOC campsite facilities, I think Henry Creek is an excellent choice. It's peaceful, incredibly scenic, budget-friendly, and a fantastic base for exploring Fiordland.

➡️ Book Henry Creek Campsite Here

4. Radfords on the Lake

Best for: Travelers looking for a luxurious stay within town

Radfords on the Lake is widely considered one of the nicest places to stay in Te Anau. This boutique property offers modern apartment-style suites, many with beautiful views of Lake Te Anau and the surrounding mountains.

Guests consistently praise the spacious rooms, comfortable beds, well-equipped kitchens, and the warm hospitality from the owners. It's also within easy walking distance of the town center, making it a convenient base for exploring Fiordland.

I haven't stayed here myself yet since it's a bit outside my current budget. But if I were planning a special trip to Te Anau and wanted to splurge on a more luxurious stay, this is probably where I'd book.

➡️ Book Radfords on the Lake Here

5. Tukare Cabins

Best for: Travelers looking for a quiet lakeside escape

Tukare Cabins offers beautifully designed private cabins just outside of Te Anau, making them a great choice if you're looking for a little more peace and privacy. Each cabin has its own ensuite bathroom, kitchenette, and private patio overlooking Lake Te Anau.

Guests consistently rave about the thoughtful little touches here, including the complimentary breakfast provisions, snacks, and wine waiting for them upon arrival. Many also mention how peaceful the property feels and love soaking in the outdoor bathtub while taking in the lake and mountain views.

I haven't had the chance to stay here myself yet, but it's definitely at the top of my list for a future trip to Te Anau. After spending long days hiking around Fiordland, I can imagine few better places to unwind than in one of these cabins overlooking the lake.

If you're looking for a quieter stay away from the bustle of town without sacrificing comfort, I think Tukare Cabins would be an excellent choice.

➡️ Book Tukare Cabins Here

What to Know Before Booking Te Anau Accommodation

Now before you book your Te Anau accommodation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here's my advice.

Book Early During Summer

If you're visiting during New Zealand's summer, don't wait until the last minute to book your accommodation. Te Anau gets especially busy around Christmas and throughout January and February.

When I booked my own stays just a few weeks before arriving, I was surprised by how few options were left. If you have your heart set on one of the accommodations above, I'd definitely recommend booking as early as you can.

Think About Your Priorities

As you decide where to stay, think about what kind of trip you want to have.

If you plan to eat out, join tours, or spend time walking around town in the evenings, staying in Te Anau will probably be the most convenient option.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a quieter escape surrounded by nature and don't mind driving a bit farther, somewhere like Henry Creek Campsite or Tukare Cabins might be a better fit.

Personally, I tend to stay in town because I like having restaurants, grocery stores, and everything else within easy reach. But I absolutely understand the appeal of waking up surrounded by nature.

Do You Need a Car?

You can absolutely visit Te Anau without a car. Te Anau itself is very walkable, and there are plenty of tours and shuttle services that can take you to Milford Sound, trailheads, and other attractions around Fiordland.

If you're hoping to more exploring in the area independently though, I think having your own vehicle is well worth it.

If you don't plan to have a vehicle with you, then that will take Henry Creek Campsite and Tukare Cabins off your list since they're outside of town. But otherwise, any of the other accommodation options would work well for you.

Milford Sound vs. Te Anau: Where Should You Stay?

If you're deciding between staying in Milford Sound or Te Anau, I recommend Te Anau for the vast majority of travelers.

While there are a handful of accommodation options along Milford Road and even one lodge in Milford Sound itself, I think Te Anau makes a much better base for exploring Fiordland National Park for a few reasons:

• It's more affordable. Since Te Anau isn't nearly as remote as Milford Sound, accommodation, restaurants, and groceries generally cost less.
• You'll have everything you need nearby. Te Anau has supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, outdoor shops, gas stations, and the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. Once you head down Milford Road, these services become very limited.
• It's easier and more flexible. Staying in Te Anau means you can take day trips to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and many of Fiordland's hiking trails without needing to change accommodation.
• The drive is more manageable. Milford Road is spectacular, but it can also be long and intimidating if you're driving for the first time in New Zealand. Basing yourself in Te Anau makes planning much simpler.

I'm sure spending the night in Milford Sound would be an unforgettable experience, especially if you're looking for something unique. But for most visitors, I think Te Anau offers a much better balance of convenience, affordability, and easy access to everything Fiordland has to offer.

After spending multiple weeks based in Te Anau while exploring Fiordland, it's where I'd choose to stay again.

Which Te Anau Accommodation Would I Choose?

Next time I visit Te Anau solo, I'll likely stay at Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers again. But if I were to visit with a friend or family member, I'd go with Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels again.

However, if I had the budget and wanted to treat myself, I think I'd choose Tukare Cabins.

Te Anau Accommodation Map

Here you can look into more accommodation options for your stay in Te Anau:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions when it comes to planning your stay in Te Anau.

Book Your Stay in Te Anau

As you can see there are plenty of great places to stay in Te Anau for every travel style and budget.

Personally, I tend to stay in town because I like having restaurants, grocery stores, and everything else within easy reach. But if you're hoping to spend a little more time surrounded by nature, I can absolutely see the appeal of staying somewhere like Henry Creek Campsite or Tukare Cabins instead.

If you're planning to visit during New Zealand's busy summer months, make sure to book your accommodation as early as possible.

No matter which accommodation you choose, I hope you give yourself enough time to enjoy this beautiful part of the country. After spending multiple weeks there myself, it's become one of my favorite places in New Zealand and somewhere I hope to return to.

➡️ Browse all Te Anau accommodation options here.