Te Anau

Turn off the Queenstown - Invercargill highway just north of Lumsden onto SH94. Te Anau also has an airstrip for light sightseeing aircraft.
Most travellers use Te Anau as a jumping-off point to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. Allow 2 hours to reach Milford Sound from Te Anau. There are lots of scenic stops along the way, but not much else, so stop at Fresh Choice for snacks and be sure to fill up your gas tank, as there is limited petrol available in Milford Sound.

By bus

InterCity Coachlines run buses to Te Anau from Christchurch via Dunedin, Queenstown and Milford Sound. From Invercargill a change at Gore is required.
Tracknet run buses from Queenstown and Invercargill. This is also available as a combined ferry and bus ticket from Stewart Island by Stewart Island Experience. Tracknet have services to and from some walking routes.

• Te Anau-Au CavesA boat trip and guided tour into the Aurora Caves system by walking path and small boats within the cave itself where you will see thousands of glow worms. The caves are only accessible by boat, and Real Journeys operates a quality catamaran for a 30-minute cruise each way. You'll spend approximately 35 min underground, where you will see some spectacular underground waterfalls, some high ceilings, and many other interesting things with a professional guide. It is not suitable for everyone. You will have to bend over considerably at the entrance, which is only 1 m high for 3-4 m. Promotions often apply.

• Lake Te Anau"The cave of swirling water", it is the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand (after Lake Taupo) and the largest in the South Island. North Fiord, Middle Fiord and South Fiord are the only inland NZ fiords.

• Lake MarianOff Hollyford Road on the way to Milford lies one of the most beautiful places on earth.

• Te Anau Wildlife CentreA short walk from downtown, the Te Anau Wildlife Centre provides the unique opportunity to view some of New Zealand's rarest endangered birds. Be sure to see the takahe, a large flightless bird with beautiful blue plumage and an enormous red beak. With only 225 takahe left in New Zealand, this is perhaps your only opportunity to see this majestic bird.

• Tramp any of the many tracks located in the area. Te Anau isn't called the walking capital of the world for no reason! The major tracks that can be started from the surrounding area include the following "Great Walks":

• Kepler TrackThis track starts from near Te Anau, and the section around the lake to Brod Bay and back makes a pleasant gentle day walk. The complete track ( a circular route) usually takes 3 or 4 days and climbs to 1470 m.

• Routeburn Track

• Milford TrackThis has been described as the greatest walk in the world. It is very popular and the many dates are fully booked within hours of booking opening in June for the following summer. The track starts with a ferry ride from Te Anau Downs, and there are connecting shuttle buses available. The track takes 4 days if you are walking independently.

Don't miss out on going to Milford Sound, taking a cruise, and enjoying the scenic wonderland. For once it's probably better to take a bus, they don't rush it and you get good quality commentary.

Take a day walk somewhere - Lake Marian for example. If you don't have gear, you can hire it from Bev's Tramping Gear Hire.

Cruise Te AnauA boutique cruise to the South Fiord of Lake Te Anau and a gentle bush/nature walk to discover the Hidden Lakes.

Westray Horse Treks

phone: +64 3 249-9079

address: 55 Ramparts Road

• The GatewayBuy and rent DVDs, video games, and CDs, but a terrible selection of used books. Friendly staff.

• Outside Sports

  phone: +64 3 249-8195
  address: 38-40 Milford Rd
  Buy or hire most tramping gear you may need for one of the nearby tracks.

There are several decent places to eat, considering the size of Te Anau.

• La ToscanaFor pizza, pasta and both Italian & NZ wines.

• Miles Better Pies

  phone: +64 3 249 9044
  address: 2 Milford Crescent
  Specialist pie shop that has a range of fresh pies, sandwiches, cake slices and other treats, and great coffee, all to take away. The pies are packed with meat.

• Redcliff

  phone: +64 3 249-7431
  address: 12 Mokonui St
  Serves food and drink. Warm atmosphere, cozy pub-feel and the rustic small-town kindly atmosphere you would expect in NZ.

• Sandfly Cafe

  address: 9 The Lane
  Country-style cafe open for breakfast and brunch.

The local supermarkets are a cheap alternative if you're self-catering.

• Fresh Choice

  address: 5 Milford Crescent
  Te Anau's main supermarket, also the best place to buy beer and wine.

• Four Square

  address: 30 Town Centre
  Smaller supermarket with groceries and some prepared meals.

The three main venues in Te Anau are The Ranch, The Moose and Redcliff, in order of the age groups most likely to be found at each location. There is also a working men's club for the older generations.

During December and January, bookings are essential! While bed and breakfasts, hotels, and backpackers abound in Te Anau, they will fill up and the nearest accommodation could be as far away as Gore.

Hostels

• Barnyard Backpackers

  phone: +64 3 249-8006
  Just outside the township overlooking a deer farm and a mighty fine view of the sunset when nature treats you right.

• Rosie's Backpackers

  phone: +64 3 249-8431
  address: 23 Tom Plato Dr

• Lakefront Backpackers

  address: 48-50 Lakefront Drive
  Pretty close to the town centre, doubles with a shared common area for $78, dorm beds from $28.

• YHA Te Anau

  phone: +64 3 249 7847
  address: 29 Mokonui Street
  90 bed hostel in the town centre.

Motels

• Radfords Lakeview Motel

  phone: +64 3 249-9186
  address: 56 Lakefront Dr
  Clean and modern motel by the lakeside, with great service.

• ASURE Amber Court Motel

  phone: +64 3 249-7230
  address: 68 Quintin Dr
  Good self-sufficient units and helpful owners.

• The Village Inn

  phone: +64 3 249-7911
  address: Mokoroa St
  A quirky pioneer-styled hotel, with an attached restaurant. Internet for $5/day

Homestays

• Paul's Backpackers Homestay

  phone: +64 27 4049800
  address: 12 Tom Plato Drive
  Quiet homestay with kitchen, living room with TV, free WiFi & off-street parking. 3 rooms only.

• Te Anau LibraryFree internet. You can use their 5 computers for up to 30 minutes for free or you can use their wireless room for unlimited wireless access for free. Follow the rules and use the designated internet room; the librarians are grumpy!

State Highway 94, the Milford Road, leads to Milford Sound, 120 km to the north. Milford Sound is a major tourist attraction, but the trip itself is just as spectacular and should not be rushed. There are several scenic stops along the route that provide unique views. With about 2,500 visitors a day travelling to Milford Sound at peak times, it pays to get an early start, especially as parking space sometimes runs out in the (free) Milford car parks in the late morning.