Welcome to Te Anau
Peaceful, lakeside Te Anau township is the main gateway to Fiordland National Park tramps and the ever-popular Milford Sound, as well as a pleasant place to while away a few days. It's large enough to have a smattering of good eateries and places to stay, but it's much easier on the liver and the wallet than attention-grabbing Queenstown.To the east are the pastoral areas of central Southland, while west across Lake... Read More
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Te Anau activities
Milford Sound Full-Day Tour from Queenstown
Your journey from Queenstown takes you along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the rugged Remarkables to Te Anau for a morning tea break (own expense). You'll then enter the Fiordland National Park, pausing at the Mirror Lakes before passing through the Hollyford Valley. The road then climbs to enter the Homer Tunnel, emerging above the CleddauValley before descending to Milford Sound.Carved by a massive glacier in the last ice age, Milford Sound is one of the most treasured regions of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. The best way to check out the heart-stopping, pristine scenery, towering peaks, waterfalls and marine and bird life is aboard this Milford Sound cruise. While cruising, you'll enjoy a full commentary about the rich history and environment of Milford Sound.
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
Following a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to Cavern House. Upon arrival join an informative talk about the life cycle of the glow worms, the history of the caves, their development and operation.Next your friendly guide will take you on an exploration of the caves by path and small punt. Observe how the rushing water sculpts the rock formations, before gliding through silent darkness to the glowworm grotto. The delicate incandescence of thousands of tiny glowworms is a magical sight. Return to Te Anau by boat across the lake, reflecting on this amazing experience of nature.
Milford Sound Full-Day Tour from Te Anau
Depart Te Anau, the "Gateway to Fiordland" and enter the Fiordland National Park, to be mesmerized by the grandeur of this region. As you pass through the Eglington Valley, you will see ancient alpine beech forest, stunning waterfalls, and the famous Mirror Lakes where the coach pauses for photo opportunities.From here the tour progresses through the Upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls and enters the 1.2 kilometer (0.75 miles) long Homer Tunnel, drilled through the solid rock of a mountain. As you exit the Homer Tunnel, prepare yourself for the breathtaking impact of the Cleddau Valley and the descent into Milford Sound.Here you will take a spectacular Milford Sound Red Boat cruise on the majestic Milford Sound, where you will see the wonders of Mitre Peak, glacier scarred rock walls that rise 1200 meters (3937 feet) vertically from the sea and waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys and crash into the sound far below. After your cruise, reboard your coach for the return journey to Te Anau.
Milford Sound Cruise and Optional Coach Tour
If you choose the coach tour option, the trip to Milford Sound is a 4-hour drive from Queenstown and a 2-hour drive from Te Anau. After pickup, journey through the pristine mountain landscapes of Fiordland National Park. Encounter beautiful scenery; enjoy plenty of photo stops; and listen to your guide’s interesting and informative narration. Marvel at the Avenue of Disappearing Mountains, an optical illusion where the mountains appear to sink into the surrounding beech forest. Crossing the halfway point between the equator and the South Pole, see stunning views over Hollyford Valley and the Darran Mountains before entering the Homer Tunnel and descending into lush rainforest canyons. You will also see majestic views of Mt Tutoko, the highest and most glaciated peak in Fiordland National Park.Arrive at Milford Sound, one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders. If you choose the cruise-only option, this is where you’ll meet to start your tour. Board the boat for a 1.5-hour cruise, taking in the spectacular sights of waterfalls cascading from towering rock walls and verdant rainforests gripping the cliffs. Enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or tea while watching seals, penguins and dolphins swim in the water. You'll cruise Milford Sound on a two-deck vessel that offers great viewing from inside and outside on both decks. Each cruise is limited to 100 passengers to ensure a choice of seating and uninterrupted viewing. It is the only vessel on Milford Sound to provide a glass-roof, all-weather viewing area. For the cruise-only option, your tour concludes on shore. For the coach tour option, you will be taken back to your pickup location.
Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Kayak Tour
Meet your group at Milford Wharf in the late morning. Relax in comfort with panoramic views of the magnificent scenery as you enter into Fiordland National Park, the biggest national park in New Zealand, where Milford Sound is located. From Milford Wharf, board your boat for a 2.5-hour cruise, the longest one available on the sound. Your midday cruise is scheduled outside of peak tour hours, so you enjoy less boat traffic and more natural beauty. Two onboard naturalists answer any questions and explain the sights in this spectacular locale. Your cruise includes a 30-minute stop at the Milford Sound Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory, which is only accessible by boat. Disembark and browse exhibits that detail the history, geology and wildlife of Milford Sound. Then descend 33 feet (10m) into New Zealand’s only underwater observatory, where you can see rare black coral, butterfly perch, blue cod and other marine critters that thrive in the waters of Milford Sound.After taking in the underwater world, get back on your boat to resume your cruise, taking in 360-degree views as you glide along the stunning waterway. Munch on a provided picnic lunch of fresh sandwiches, New Zealand cheese and crackers, biscuits, fruit, and juice. At the end of your Milford Sound boat cruise, return to your starting point at Milford Wharf.Cruise and KayakUpgrade to include a 1-hour kayak excursion on Milford Sound that takes place near the end of the boat cruise. This is a small-group activity, limited to 12 people, with an experienced naturalist guide. Slip your kayak into Harrison Cove to glide across crystal-clear water. Gaze at Pembroke Glacier and Harrison Valley as you paddle around the cove. From there, hop back on the boat to head back to the Milford Wharf.You don’t need any previous experience for this kayak tour; all instruction and gear is provided. Don't miss this rare chance to kayak in the breathtaking, peaceful beauty of Milford Sound.
Small-Group Milford Sound Day Trip and Cruise from Te Anau
After morning pickup from your Te Anau hotel, drive 2.5 hours by mini-coach to Milford Sound. On the way, stop at picturesque Mirror Lakes to take photos and stretch your legs. Throughout your journey, your expert guide provides informative commentary on the region’s flora and fauna.Continue to Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest national park, which takes up a huge chunk of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Te Wahipounamu region. Arrive at Milford Sound where you join other travelers for a scenic 1.5-hour cruise aboard a boat equipped with large viewing windows, warm indoor seating and ample outdoor decks. Your skipper provides informative commentary as you cruise, and several naturalists can answer questions and help you spot wildlife, such as the penguins, dolphins and seals, that live in these icy waters.Milford Sound was carved by glaciers in the last ice age, leaving a breathtakingly beautiful swathe of tall mountains and cascading waterfalls. One glimpse of the staggering 5,550-foot-tall (1,692m) Mitre Peak and it's no mystery why the area is considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. After your cruise, return to your coach for a leisurely ride back to Te Anau, eating lunch and stopping at several gorgeous sites along the way. Your guide determines the itinerary depending on weather and road conditions, making it possible for you to escape the crowds on visits to places such as The Chasm nature trail (near Homer Tunnel), a Milford Sound lookout, Lake Gunn, or the Eglinton Valley.Your guide returns you to your Te Anau hotel in the late afternoon to end your tour. Please note: It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for the short walks and boat cruise.