Te Anau is the main gateway to Fiordland National Park and one of the best bases for exploring the famous landscapes of Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and the wider Fiordland region, with Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments offering premium lakeside accommodation right in the heart of Te Anau.

Located on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the town offers a huge range of activities for visitors including walking tracks, cycling trails, lake cruises, scenic flights, guided tours and family attractions, all easily accessible when staying at Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments.

Whether you are staying for one night or several days, there are many memorable things to do in Te Anau while exploring Fiordland. 

Top Activities in Te Anau 

Visitors to Te Anau can enjoy walking tracks and guided hikes, biking the Lake to Lake Cycle Trail, cruises on Lake Te Anau, scenic flights over Fiordland, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound tours, jet boat rides, fishing trips, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Ata Whenua at Fiordland Cinema and a variety of parks and family attractions. 

Walking and Guided Walks 

Fiordland is famous for its spectacular walking tracks, and Te Anau is the starting point for many of them. 

Visitors can explore sections of the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, which begins just outside Te Anau and offers incredible alpine and lake views. 

The famous Milford Track is also located nearby and is considered one of the finest walks in the world, taking hikers through Fiordland’s ancient rainforest, valleys and waterfalls. 

Two popular shorter walks in Fiordland include the Key Summit walk and the track to Lake Marion. Key Summit provides spectacular alpine views across Fiordland’s mountains and valleys, while Lake Marion is known for its beautiful forest track leading to a peaceful alpine lake surrounded by dramatic scenery. 

Transport services such as Tracknet provide connections between Te Anau and major track access points throughout Fiordland. 

Biking the Lake to Lake Cycle Trail 

Cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Fiordland’s scenery.

Visitors can hire bikes from Wild Rides, a popular bike rental and guided cycling operator. A highlight for many visitors is the Lake to Lake Cycle Trail which connects Te Anau with nearby Manapouri and passes through wetlands, forests and beautiful lakeside scenery. 

Lake Te Anau Cruises 

Being located beside Lake Te Anau means there are several ways to experience the water. 

Visitors can enjoy scenic lake cruises with operators including Fiordland Historic Cruises and Cruise Te Anau. 

Another popular experience is visiting the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, where guests take a scenic cruise across the lake before exploring underground caves illuminated by thousands of glowworms. 

Jet Boat Adventures 

For travellers looking for adventure on the water, jet boating is a fun way to experience Fiordland. 

Fiordland Jet offers jet boat rides along the Waiau River, combining beautiful scenery with an exciting ride through Fiordland landscapes. 

Scenic Flights Over Fiordland 

One of the most spectacular ways to experience Fiordland is from the air. 

Floatplane flights with Wings and Water depart directly from Lake Te Anau and provide incredible views over the mountains, lakes and fiords of Fiordland National Park. 

Visitors can also explore Fiordland by helicopter with Southern Lakes Helicopters, where flights can travel deep into the mountains and sometimes land in remote alpine locations. 

Seeing Fiordland from the air offers a completely different perspective of the region and is often described as one of the most unforgettable experiences when visiting Te Anau. 

Fishing and Outdoor Adventures 

Fiordland is famous for its trout fishing and pristine waterways. 

Visitors can enjoy guided fishing trips with Fish Jet, while Fiordland Outdoors Company provides access to remote lakes and outdoor adventure experiences throughout the region.

Farm Tour and Rural Experience 

For a taste of rural Fiordland life, visitors can enjoy a farm experience at Woodstone Farm where guests can learn about local farming practices while experiencing the peaceful countryside surrounding Te Anau. 

Milford Sound Cruises 

A visit to Milford Sound is one of the highlights of travelling through Fiordland. 

Visitors can choose to drive themselves or enjoy a guided day tour departing from Te Anau with operators such as Trips & Tramps, Luxe Tours, Fiordland Tours and Cheeky Kiwi Travel. These tours conveniently pick up right outside Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments. 

Travellers looking for a more environmentally conscious option can also travel with Envy Tours which operates tours using a Tesla vehicle. 

Once in Milford Sound, visitors can explore the fiord on boutique cruises with operators such as Cruise Milford and Mitre Peak Cruises. 

Unique Attractions in Te Anau 

Visitors can enjoy Ata Whenua – Shadowland at Fiordland Cinema, explore escape rooms at Fiordland Escapes, visit the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, enjoy disc golf or a walk at Ivon Wilson Park, play mini golf, ride quad bikes or explore the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum. 

The Perfect Base for Exploring Fiordland 

With its stunning lakeside setting and easy access to world-class natural attractions, Te Anau is the ideal base for exploring Fiordland. 

Guests staying at Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments are perfectly positioned to enjoy the very best attractions and activities that Te Anau and Fiordland have to offer.

Ready to explore Fiordland? Book your stay at Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments and start your adventure!