Things to Do in Te Anau

These are just a few smaller ideas, and what you do in Te Anau really depends on why you have come here in the first place. There are bigger activities too, like a trip on the Faith, which I have done and really enjoyed, and of course the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, which I also did, several times and is well worth doing if you have the time. Faith is the historic boat cruise on Lake Te Anau, while the glowworm caves involve a cruise across Lake Te Anau and a guided cave experience.

But this blog is more about the smaller, easier things you can do around Te Anau — the sort of things that are often free, lower-cost, close to town, or do not need a huge amount of planning.

Te Anau is definitely quieter than places like Queenstown, and that is part of its charm. If you come here expecting a busy resort town full of shops, bars, rides, and indoor attractions, you might be surprised. Te Anau is not really that kind of place.

But that is not a bad thing. It is nice to slow down a bit, enjoy the quieter pace, and actually take in the nature around you. There are still some great little things to do around Te Anau that are more than just wandering around the town centre.

A simple one is to head down to the Control Gates, where Lake Te Anau flows into the Waiau River. It is close to town, easy to get to, and gives you a nice feel for the area without needing to commit to a big walk. You can have a look around, take a few photos, and enjoy the river and lake views.

Another easy option is Rainbow Reach, which is about a 10-minute drive from Te Anau. From the car park, it is only a short walk to the swing bridge over the Waiau River. It is a fantastic little spot for photos, and if you want to stretch your legs a bit more, you can walk a short section of the Kepler Track from there. It is an easy way to experience part of the area without needing to do a full-day hike.

A slightly more adventurous but still simple option is to take the water taxi from Te Anau across to Brod Bay, then walk part of the Kepler Track back towards the Control Gates and then along the lake to to town. This gives you a taste of the Great Walk without needing to organise a full tramp. You get lake views, native bush, and a proper walk, but it still fits easily into part of a day. Brod bay has a really nice beach too. The water taxi is only about 15 minutes across to Brod Bay, and at the time of writing it is listed at about $30 for an adult one way, but always check the current times and price before you go.

Another thing worth doing is hiring a bike, or an e-bike if you want to make it a bit easier. Te Anau has some really good cycling options now, especially the Lake2Lake Trail, which follows Lake Te Anau and the eastern side of the Waiau River towards Lake Manapouri. It is not just for serious cyclists either. You can do shorter sections, turn around when you have had enough, or make a bigger ride of it if you are keen. The trail is also multi-use, so you can walk or run sections of it as well. They've also started sections that head out of town near the Milford Road.

And if you are in Te Anau on a Saturday morning, it is worth checking out the Lake2Lake parkrun. It is a free weekly 5 km event based on the Lake2Lake Trail near the Control Gates. Despite the name, you do not have to run it. Lots of people walk it, jog it, volunteer, or just come along for the social side of it. It is really well run, friendly, and a good way to do something local without needing to plan a big activity. Just double-check the start time before you go, because it changes with the season. In summer it's 8 am and winter 9 am.

If you are that way inclined, Te Anau also has mini golf and a full golf course. Mini golf is a good easy option, especially if you have kids, a bit of spare time, or just want something simple to do without going too far.

There are also the rugby grounds if you just want to kick a ball around. It is nothing complicated, but sometimes that is the point. Grab a rugby ball from one of the local shops, head down to the grounds, and have a kick around for half an hour. It is a good simple one if you have kids who need to burn off a bit of energy, or if you just want to do something casual outside.

There are also plenty of short walks around town. You do not always need to head off on a big mission to enjoy Te Anau. A walk along the lakefront is one of the easiest things to do, and you can link that up with places like the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary or Ivon Wilson park.

Another one worth adding, especially if you have never been, is the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. It is an easy walk from town, and it is a good place to see some of New Zealand’s native birds without needing to go deep into the bush. It is not a huge activity, but it is a nice gentle one, and it fits well with a lakefront walk.

If you get the right night, Te Anau can also be a great place to see the aurora australis, or Southern Lights. Of course, this is one of those things you cannot really plan like a normal activity. You need the right solar activity, clear skies, and a bit of luck. But when it does happen, it can be pretty special. Around town, the lakefront and the marina area can be good places to look south, and Ivon Wilson Park is another good option.

There is also Te Anau Lions Lookout, which is not far from town and gives you a great view back over Te Anau, the lake, the mountains, and the wider basin. We often talk about the Te Anau area as “the basin”, because that is really what it feels like — the town sitting in this broad open area with the lake on one side and the mountains around it. It is a simple stop, but on a clear day it is well worth the short drive up.

You can also pop over to Manapouri, which is only a short drive from Te Anau. It is a much smaller town, but it is a really nice place to spend a bit of time and has a nice beach call Frasers beach. And I probably should not say this, but Lake Manapouri might even be the prettier lake. Lake Te Anau is beautiful, of course, but Manapouri has a slightly different feel to it, with the islands, mountains, and quieter lakeside setting. It is well worth a look if you have a bit of extra time.

And if you are into Lord of the Rings, there is plenty around this area too. The Waiau River between Te Anau and Manapouri was used as the River Anduin, so if that is your thing, you can tie it in with the cycle trail, Rainbow Reach, or a drive over towards Manapouri.

So no, Te Anau is not Queenstown. It does not have the same amount of shops, nightlife, or big commercial activities. But that is also why a lot of people like it. It is quieter, easier to get around, and you can do some really nice local things without everything feeling rushed or crowded.

Sometimes the best way to enjoy Te Anau is to keep it simple: go for a walk, ride a bike, cross a swing bridge, kick a ball around, play mini golf, look for the aurora on the right night, head up to the lookout, pop over to Manapouri, or just spend a bit of time by the lake and river.