Doubtful Sound Kayak
Feel the wind in your hair and the sea spray on your face. Explore incredible Doubtful Sound by sea-kayak on Doubtful Sound Kayak's full-day tour.
Lake Te Anau - The Gateway to Fiordland
Welcome To Te Anau
Te Anau is a small town with a big heart. Located at the Southern end of 65km long Lake Te Anau, the town is known as the 'Gateway to Fiordland National Park'. With a permanent population of just under 3000 people, you will notice that the most striking features are the natural beauty of the lakes, mountains and rivers. Te Anau is the best place to begin your adventure into Fiordland and Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels is your Fiordland Base Camp.
Te Anau's town centre has a variety of shops, restaurants, and petrol stations to stock up on supplies during your visit. Shops include supermarkets, a pharmacy, outdoor gear hire and souvenir shops. There are also a wide variety of restaurants and cafes to suits all tastebuds.
Whether you are on a family holiday, a romantic getaway, or adventuring in Fiordland, we'll see you in Te Anau soon!
Explore Fiordland
Our Partners
Ensure that you book in advance so you don't miss out!
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Join Fiordland Cruises aboard the MV Southern Secret for the trip of a lifetime. Spend a night in Doubtful Sound in your private cabin with ensuite.
Tracknet Transport
Book your transport packages to the Milford, Routeburn & Kepler Tracks. Also sector transport between Queenstown, Te Anau & Milford Sound.
Getting to Te Anau
Travel Times
Remember to drive to the conditions and take your time while driving in New Zealand. There are plenty of scenic stops along the way, so make it about the journey and enjoy exploring along the way. See the New Zealand Transport Agency website for the latest road travel information. Several companies operate bus transport into Te Anau from surrounding cities. We recommend Tracknet Transport if you are travelling from Queenstown. They also operate connections to the South's Great Walks, including the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Tracks.
Things to do
Free Local Attractions
Lake2Lake Cycle Trail
The Fiordland Cycle Trail is a high-quality walking, jogging, and cycling trail that passes through the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary to the Control Gates, before meandering alongside the Waiau River to Balloon Loop and onwards to Lake Manapōuri.
The full trail from Te Anau to Manapōuri is 28kms, but shorter loops (or longer ones!) can be made at the several entry/exit points out to the main road. See the Fiordland Trails Trust website to plan your ideal bike ride. Care should be taken as these trails are regularly utilized by other users.
Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
The Bird Sanctuary is just a 10-15 minute leisurely walk from the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park. Entry to the wider bird park is free of charge or join a daily bird feeding tour at 10.30am for just $10.00 per adult (under 17 years FREE). Book your tour at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre (located across the road from the Holiday Park).
Ivon Wilson Park
Located directly beside our Holiday Park, Ivon Wilson Park is a picturesque park in a sheltered area. Great for walking or jogging, dog-walking, and picnics. There is also a Junior fishery at Lake Henry for kids. Free junior fishing licenses are required and can be obtained online at the Fish & Game website. Within the park is an 18 hole Disc golf course.
Lake Te Anau Foreshore Walk/Run
The foreshore walk begins directly adjacent to our Holiday Park. You turn right and walk into the town centre before carrying on around the Lake Front, past the Boat Harbour around to the mouth of the Upukeroa River. This walk begins on the footpath and onto a gravel track beyond the Boat Harbour. On this track, you can get fantastic views North and really appreciate the size of Lake Te Anau, as it stretches out as far as the eye can see and is consumed by surrounding mountains. Turning left will take you towards the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary where you can view enclosures with New Zealand Native Birds such as Tui, Takahe, Bellbird, Kaka, and Wood Pigeon.
Kepler Track Day Walks:
The Kepler Track is a 60 km loop track starting and finishing at the Control Gates of Lake Te Anau. If you don't have time to walk the whole thing, why not take a day walk? There are a number of day walks you can do, depending on how far you wish to go. You can enter the Kepler Track at the Kepler Carpark (Control Gates) or at Rainbow Reach (Swingbridge). Walk from Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut (3 hours return), or take a shuttle to Rainbow Reach with Tracknet Transport and walk back to Te Anau (11 km or 4 hours). For the energetic ones, take a day hike up Mount Luxmore (26kms return or 8-10 hours). This hike begins at the Kepler Carpark, or take a Water taxi from Te Anau to Brod Bay to shorten the walk. See Kepler Water Taxis.
Local Mountain Bike Track:
In Ivon Wilson Park, behind our Holiday Park, you will find trails that vary in difficulty for mountain biking. Care should be taken as these tracks are not maintained to a high level and so may have obstacles/hazards to be negotiated.