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Travel guide – te anau

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Overview

Set on the fringes of the Fjordland’s celebrated wilderness is the attractive resort town of Te Anau. The town rests on the shores of the beautiful lake of the same name with spectacular views of mountain peaks all around. It is the hub of the region and an excellent base from which to explore the Fjordland area. Te Anau has achieved the reputation of being the ‘Sightseeing and Walking Capital of the World’ having easy access to some of the most splendid Great Walks and scenery. It is also in close proximity to the fjords of Doubtful Sound, the deepest and most stunning, and Milford Sound, the most famous and more easily accessible. Lake Te Anau is the second largest in New Zealand and visitors are attracted by the wide variety of water sports available. The town also has a wonderful resource centre with information on tramping and other excursions, as well as offering aerial sightseeing or organising trips to the main attractions in the area. The beautiful Lake Manapouri, dotted with 35 pretty islands, is just nine miles (14km) away.

Attractions in Te Anau

Milford Sound

The 14-mile (22km) long fjord of Milford Sound is the most famous attraction in the Fjordland National Park. Hemmed in by towering granite cliffs and dominated by Mitre Peak, the calm deep waters reflect ice-covered mountain tops, waterfalls plummet from the cliff tops to the water below and Bottlenose dolphins play in the foaming wakes of the boats. Its grandeur was carved out during the ice ages and a close up or aerial view of the awesome scenery is a must. A variety of boat cruises or popular kayaking trips are offered and these provide opportunities to see the fur seals, crested penguins and dolphins that inhabit the sound, while scenic flights give a unique perspective on the area. The road to Milford Sound is one of the finest alpine drives in the world with many points of interest along the way and view points to admire the sheer scale of the dramatic landscape. Travelling towards the sound, the road approaches a seemingly impenetrable wall of rock, and the tiny entrance of Homer Tunnel, unlit and roughly hewn out of the cliff face, suddenly appears as the way through, emerging again at the top of the stunning Cleddau Canyon before dropping into the valley below. Milford is synonymous with rain, and although the mountaintops might not be visible through the clouds, the streams of water and waterfalls coursing down the sheer rocky cliffs is a magnificent sight not otherwise seen in dry weather. Tiny biting sandflies are the menace of the Fjordlands, although optimists say the rain tends to keep them away. Whether raining or fine it is impossible to ignore the powerful sense of beauty and grandeur that the landscape evokes.

Activities in Te Anau

The Milford Track

The Milford Track is considered to be the finest walk in the world, a four-day hike ending at Milford Sound that has been attracting tourists and locals for over 100 years. Following glaciated valleys and crossing an alpine pass it traverses some fabulous scenery, past towering snow-clad peaks, rivers and waterfalls, along grassy plateaux and through dense rainforests. The number of hikers is limited and accommodation is provided in comfortable mountain huts along the way. For more information go to www.doc.govt.nz

Climate

The weather is changeable throughout the year. The North Island has mild winters and warm and humid summers, the South Island has lower temperatures with cold winters and extensive snowfields and glaciers. Snow falls on all the mountains in winter. The west coast receives the most rain. Summer months are from November to April.

Health

There are no health risks associated with travel to New Zealand. A reciprocal health agreement exists with the UK, which entitles nationals, with proof of residence, to free emergency hospital treatment, but health insurance is recommended to cover any additional charges and for those not entitled to free emergency treatment. Those intending to participate in adventure activities, such as bungee jumping, white water rafting, etc should ensure that their travel insurance covers these types of activities.

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Travel Guide by www.wordtravels.com
Disclaimer: By its very nature much of the information in our travel guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Winter Sunshine Holidays & Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.