Things to do in Te Anau

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Southland

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Te Anau Glowworm Caves are located on the western shore of Lake Te Anau in the Fiordland region of New Zealand's South Island, a limestone cave system continuously carved by underground streams. In Māori, "Te Ana-au" means "cave of the swirling waters," referring to the dark river that surges through the cave. In 1948, local explorer Lawson Burrows followed clues from ancient Māori legends and spent three years searching caves across the South Island, eventually finding this entrance on the western shore of Lake Te Anau that had previously existed only in legend—when he crawled through a rock crevice and passed through the entrance, the eerie blue glow of countless glowworms deep in the cave came into view. Since then, it has gradually become a favored destination on the shores of Lake Te Anau. The cave is geologically very young, having formed about 12,000 years ago, and is still being shaped by the rushing underground river. To reach the cave, visitors must first take a boat across Lake Te Anau, then cross native bush after arriving on the western shore to enter. The cave tour is divided into two parts, walking and boating: first, bend down to pass through the low rock crevice entrance and walk along the winding limestone passages, where swirling currents and roaring underground waterfalls can be seen along the way; then transfer to a small boat and, pulled along by the guide, glide quietly into the depths of the dark cave. Thousands of New Zealand's unique glowworms inhabit the cave ceiling, emitting pinpricks of blue light like an inverted starry sky. To protect the glowworms and allow eyes to adjust to the darkness, photography and filming are prohibited throughout the cave, and visitors must remain quiet when viewing the glowworms. The temperature inside the cave is low year-round, and the paths are slippery with steps, so extra care should be taken underfoot.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Southland

Doubtful Sound / Patea

Doubtful Sound, also known as "Silent Fiord", is a relatively long (421m) and longer (40km) fjord in the South Island. It shows the ingenious workmanship of nature, which is quiet and pleasant, mysterious and wonderful, and has not been influenced by modern society. 1. The name of the fjord comes from Captain Cook. Because the fjord is relatively narrow and the boat is very dangerous, Captain James Cook did not enter the port at that time. When they got there later, whale and seal hunters called it Doubtful Sound. Like other fjords in the region, Doubtful Sound's waters are divided into two distinct layers. A few meters above is fresh water flowing down from the surrounding mountains, and below is salt water from the sea. Due to the different refractive indices of freshwater and seawater, it is difficult for light to penetrate. As a result, many deep-sea species, such as black coral, grow in relatively shallow places. 2. The natural landscape is beautiful and the wildlife is abundant. There are several waterfalls in the Doubtful Fjord, which are especially spectacular in the rainy season. Brown Falls in Hall Bay is 619 meters long; Helena Falls in Deep Bay is 220 meters long. Wonderful wildlife is another reason the fjord attracts tourists, with rare bottlenose dolphins, seals and penguins all haunting the area.

No. 2 of Night Attractions in Southland

Lake Te Anau

Lake Te Anau is adjacent to Fiordland National Park and has a vast surface area, second only to Lake Taupo on the North Island in New Zealand. This body of water was shaped by glacial movement, with three fiord-like arms extending from the west side: the North Fiord, Middle Fiord, and South Fiord. Flanked by cliffs and deep waterways, taking a boat into them offers a direct view of the traces left by glacial erosion on the land. The eastern shore of the lake is flat, where the lakeside town of Te Anau is located, with pastures and farmland spreading out, while the western shore merges into the pristine forests of Fiordland National Park. There are activities to enjoy here all year round, with trout fishing, kayaking, and lake cruises being popular; you can also take a boat from the wharf to visit the spectacular glowworm caves on the western shore. Hiking enthusiasts might consider using the lakeside as a base. The Kepler Track is one of the more popular hiking trails, starting near the control gates at the southern end of the lake and winding along the lakeside forests. This is also the gateway to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and Doubtful Sound / Patea, and many travelers use the lakeside town as a base to combine exploring the lake with a fiord tour.

Kepler Track

Located in Te Anau, New Zealand, the Kepler Trail is 67 kilometers long and is a scenic loop. On the trail, visitors can enjoy numerous scenic views, such as Lake Te Anau, Mount Luxmore, Mount Kepler, Alice Bain Valley and more.

Punanga Manu o Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Parklocated at the southwestern tip of New Zealand's South Island and covering approximately 12,000 square kilometers, it ranks among the largest of the country's national parks. Successive glacial movements have carved more than a dozen deep fjords into the coastal mountains, with Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound being the most notable examples. About two-thirds of the park is covered by native beech and podocarp forests, while the landscape is dotted with towering peaks, alpine lakes, and moss-covered valleys. The area was designated a World Heritage Site in 1990. An extensive network of walking trails allows visitors to explore this pristine wilderness of mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and moss-clad valleys.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in New Zealand

RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise

Born in 1912, the TSS Earnslaw, known as "The Lady of the Lake," dates back to the golden age of steamships—an era that included the world-famous Titanic. Today, as a coal-fired ferry, she has been sailing for over 100 years and isLake WakatipuA charming sight that takes you back in time to experience the splendor of early 20th-century Europe. During the cruise, you can lean on the railing on the deck and gaze at the beautiful lake and mountain scenery of Queenstown, or step onto the bridge to secretly admire the captain's superb steering skills, or venture into the steam boiler room to learn how the steam engine works. △ Boat tourLake Wakatipu, you can enjoy magnificent mountain views and tranquil lake waters △ Visit the engine room and mini museum on board, listen to songs accompanied by piano, and savor the elegance of the turn of the century △After arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm, you can view and feed the farm animals up close, and attend sheep shearing and sheepdog demonstrations

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in New Zealand

Milford Sound Scenic Cruises

Take in Milford Sound on a modern and spacious Milford Sound Cruise, with unobstructed views outside the boat from any area of the interior cabin. The boat features a comfortable indoor lounge and large panoramic picture windows, allowing you to see waterfalls and wildlife up close from the bow. From the spacious upper outdoor deck, you can look directly down on the water, and the captain will provide informative commentary, and the cruise will play commentary in other languages at certain times.

Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre

Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park