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Before you go
Your trip to Te Anau.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Te Anau – Southland Destination Fiordland
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Queenstown (ZQN) Frankton · 165 km
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Aeroporto de Te Anau (Manapouri) (TEU) 15 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
It is about 2½ hours from Queenstown via Highway 6 and 155 km from Invercargill. Buses run to Queenstown and to Milford Sound. Te Anau’s small airport, about 15 km away, handles scenic and charter flights.
How many days
Two to three days: one for Milford Sound, one for the glowworm caves, the bird sanctuary and a section of the Kepler Track, and one for Doubtful Sound from Manapouri.
When to go
From November to April, with long days and the Great Walks in season. It rains at any time of year. In winter, the Milford road may require chains and can close due to avalanche risk.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Not required: buses and tours take you to Milford Sound and the caves, and the town is walkable. A car gives freedom to stop along the Milford road, but requires caution on the bends and regarding weather.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Te Anau
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Morning
Milford Road
Leave early on the Milford Road and stop at the Eglinton Valley lookouts and the Mirror Lakes. Fill up in Te Anau: there’s no fuel station until Milford.
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Afternoon
Boat in Milford Sound
Board at the Milford Sound terminal for the cruise out the fiord to the sea, with Mitre Peak and the Stirling and Lady Bowen waterfalls. On the way back, stop at The Chasm.
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Late afternoon
Return via the Homer Tunnel
Return via the Homer Tunnel and through the Eglinton Valley, allowing enough time to reach Te Anau before dark.
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Evening
Glowworm caves
If you have the energy, take the night tour to the Te Ana-au glowworm caves on the far side of the lake (booked in advance), or leave it for the next day.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How long from Te Anau to Milford Sound?
About 2 hours for the 119 km Milford road, without stops. With lookouts, allow 3 to 4 hours to go.
Te Anau or Queenstown as base for Milford Sound?
Te Anau is much closer, about 2 hours to Milford, whereas from Queenstown it’s about 4 hours. Staying in Te Anau lets you arrive early, before the Queenstown buses.
What to do in Te Anau?
Visit Milford and Doubtful Sound, the Te Ana-au glowworm caves, the bird sanctuary with takahēs, and walk sections of the Kepler Track along the lake.
Where to see takahē in Te Anau?
At the Punanga Manu or Te Anau bird sanctuary on the lake’s southern shore, a few minutes from town, where you’ll also find kākās and blue ducks.