Te Anau Travel Tips

Insider Advice for Your Fiordland Adventure

Essential Travel Tips for Te Anau

Planning a trip to Te Anau and Fiordland? These insider tips will help you make the most of your visit, save money, stay safe, and avoid common mistakes.

Money-Saving Tips

Accommodation

  • Book Direct: Sometimes booking directly with accommodation providers offers better rates than booking sites
  • Shoulder Season: Visit in March-April or October-November for 20-40% cheaper accommodation
  • Midweek Stays: Monday-Thursday nights are often cheaper than weekends
  • Holiday Parks: Cabins at holiday parks offer great value for families and groups
  • Self-Catering: Accommodation with kitchens saves significantly on dining costs
  • Multi-Night Discounts: Many properties offer discounts for 3+ night stays

Food & Dining

  • Supermarket Shopping: Fresh Choice supermarket for self-catering supplies
  • Lunch Specials: Many restaurants offer cheaper lunch menus than dinner
  • Bakery Bargains: Miles Better Pies offers filling, affordable meals
  • BYO Restaurants: Bring your own wine to BYO restaurants (small corkage fee)
  • Picnic Lunches: Pack lunches for day trips to Milford Sound (no food available there)
  • Happy Hours: Some bars offer drink specials during happy hour

Activities & Tours

  • Free Activities: Lakefront walks, Wildlife Centre, short nature walks cost nothing
  • DOC Huts: Much cheaper than guided walks ($65-75 vs $1500+ for guided)
  • Self-Drive Milford: Drive yourself to Milford Sound instead of tour bus (save $100+)
  • Combination Deals: Book multiple activities together for package discounts
  • Off-Peak Tours: Winter tours often discounted 20-30%
  • Early Bird Bookings: Book tours months ahead for early bird discounts

Transportation

  • Fuel Up: Fill tank in Te Anau before Milford Road (no fuel at Milford, prices higher there)
  • Share Rides: Join ride-sharing groups or split costs with other travelers
  • Walk the Town: Te Anau is compact - walk instead of taxis
  • Rental Car Comparison: Compare Queenstown vs Invercargill rental rates
  • Longer Rentals: Weekly rates much better than daily

Packing Essentials

Clothing (All Seasons)

  • Waterproof Jacket: Essential - rain can occur any day
  • Layers: Temperature varies greatly throughout the day
  • Warm Fleece/Jacket: Even summer evenings can be cool
  • Comfortable Walking Shoes: For town and easy walks
  • Hiking Boots: If planning any serious walks
  • Hat and Sunglasses: UV levels high in New Zealand
  • Swimwear: For lake swimming (summer) or hot tubs

Outdoor Gear

  • Daypack: For day hikes and tours
  • Water Bottle: Refillable - tap water is excellent
  • Sunscreen: SPF 50+ recommended (NZ sun is intense)
  • Insect Repellent: DEET-based for sandflies (essential!)
  • First Aid Kit: Basic supplies for minor injuries
  • Headlamp/Torch: For early starts or evening activities
  • Camera: You'll want to capture the scenery!
  • Binoculars: For wildlife and bird watching

Documents & Money

  • Passport: Required for international visitors
  • Driver's License: International license if renting a car
  • Travel Insurance: Highly recommended
  • Credit Cards: Widely accepted
  • Cash: Some small businesses prefer cash
  • Booking Confirmations: Printed or digital copies

Technology

  • Phone & Charger: Limited coverage in Fiordland
  • Power Adapter: NZ uses type I plugs (angled flat pins)
  • Portable Battery Pack: For charging devices on long days
  • Offline Maps: Download before leaving town

Safety Tips

Outdoor Safety

  • Tell Someone: Always inform someone of your plans and expected return
  • Check Weather: Conditions change rapidly - check forecasts
  • Know Your Limits: Choose tracks appropriate for your fitness level
  • Carry Essentials: Even on short walks, carry water, snacks, and warm layer
  • Stay on Track: Don't shortcut or leave marked trails
  • River Crossings: Never cross flooded rivers - wait it out
  • Hypothermia Risk: Wet + cold + wind = danger, even in summer
  • Emergency Number: 111 for police, fire, ambulance

Driving Safety

  • Drive Left: New Zealand drives on the left side
  • Take Breaks: Stop every 2 hours on long drives
  • Watch for Wildlife: Especially at dawn and dusk
  • Narrow Roads: Milford Road has narrow sections - drive carefully
  • Pull Over for Photos: Don't stop on the road
  • Winter Driving: Carry chains May-September
  • No Drinking & Driving: Limit is 0.05% BAC (lower than many countries)

Health & Wellbeing

  • Sandfly Protection: Use DEET repellent, cover exposed skin
  • Sun Protection: UV levels high - use SPF 50+ sunscreen
  • Drink Water: Stay hydrated, especially when hiking
  • Giardia Risk: Treat or boil water from streams/lakes
  • Medical Care: Te Anau Medical Centre (03) 249 7007
  • Pharmacy: Limited hours - stock up on medications

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Planning Mistakes

  • Underestimating Distances: New Zealand is bigger than it looks on maps
  • Overpacking Itinerary: Allow time for weather delays and spontaneity
  • Not Booking Ahead: Peak season accommodation and Great Walk huts fill months ahead
  • Ignoring Weather: Fiordland weather is unpredictable - build flexibility
  • Skipping Travel Insurance: Medical costs and trip cancellations can be expensive

On-the-Ground Mistakes

  • Not Carrying Layers: Weather changes quickly - always have warm/waterproof layers
  • Forgetting Insect Repellent: Sandflies are relentless!
  • Running Low on Fuel: Fill up in Te Anau before Milford Road
  • Rushing Milford Sound: Allow full day, not just a quick visit
  • Ignoring Track Conditions: Check with DOC before hiking
  • Not Carrying Cash: Some small businesses don't accept cards

Photography Mistakes

  • Wrong Time of Day: Best light is early morning and late afternoon
  • Forgetting Backup Batteries: Cold weather drains batteries fast
  • Not Protecting Gear: Bring waterproof camera bag/covers
  • Rushing Shots: Take time to compose - the scenery isn't going anywhere

Insider Tips from Locals

Best Times to Visit Popular Spots

  • Milford Sound: Early morning (before 10am) or late afternoon for fewer crowds
  • Mirror Lakes: Dawn for best reflections (before wind picks up)
  • Glowworm Caves: Evening tours often less crowded than daytime
  • Lakefront: Sunrise and sunset for best photos and peaceful atmosphere

Hidden Gems

  • Shallow Bay: Quiet beach perfect for swimming and picnics
  • Upukerora River Walk: Easy walk often overlooked by tourists
  • Lake Mistletoe: Beautiful alpine lake, less crowded than popular tracks
  • Mavora Lakes: Remote lakes perfect for fishing and camping

Local Knowledge

  • Sandfly Tip: They're most active in calm, warm conditions. Windy days = fewer sandflies
  • Weather Wisdom: If you can see the mountains clearly, rain is coming. If you can't see them, it's already raining!
  • Kea Alert: Don't leave anything outside your car - kea will destroy it
  • Best Coffee: Ask locals - they know the best cafes
  • Quiet Season: May and September offer good weather with fewer crowds

Sustainable Travel Tips

Leave No Trace

  • Pack Out Rubbish: Carry all waste out with you
  • Stay on Tracks: Prevent erosion by staying on marked paths
  • Respect Wildlife: Observe from distance, never feed animals
  • Use Toilets: Use provided facilities or bury waste properly (15cm deep, 50m from water)
  • Clean Boots: Prevent spreading seeds and diseases between tracks

Support Local

  • Shop Local: Buy from local businesses rather than chains
  • Eat Local: Try Fiordland venison, Southland lamb, local fish
  • Hire Local Guides: Support local tour operators
  • Respect Community: Be considerate of residents

Conservation

  • DOC Donations: Consider donating to conservation efforts
  • Volunteer: Some conservation projects welcome volunteers
  • Learn: Visit DOC Visitor Centre to understand conservation challenges
  • Report Pests: Report any pest sightings to DOC

Sample Itineraries

2-Day Te Anau Visit

Day 1: Arrive Te Anau, explore town and lakefront, visit DOC Visitor Centre and Wildlife Centre, evening glowworm cave tour

Day 2: Full-day Milford Sound tour (coach and cruise), return to Te Anau evening

3-Day Fiordland Experience

Day 1: Arrive, settle in, short lakeside walk, glowworm caves evening tour

Day 2: Milford Sound day trip (self-drive or tour)

Day 3: Kepler Track day walk or Doubtful Sound day tour

5-Day Comprehensive Visit

Day 1: Arrive, explore town, lakefront walks, Wildlife Centre

Day 2: Milford Sound day trip

Day 3: Kepler Track day walk or mountain biking

Day 4: Doubtful Sound overnight cruise (or day tour)

Day 5: Kayaking on Lake Te Anau, glowworm caves, departure

4-Day Kepler Track

Day 1: Arrive Te Anau, prepare for hike, early night

Days 2-5: Kepler Track (3-4 days hiking)

Day 6: Rest day, glowworm caves, departure

Useful Apps & Resources

Essential Apps

  • MetService: Weather forecasts and warnings
  • DOC Tracks: Official track information and maps
  • CamperMate: Find campsites, dump stations, attractions
  • Maps.me: Offline maps for navigation
  • Google Maps: Download offline maps before leaving town

Websites

Final Tips

  • Be Flexible: Weather can change plans - have backup options
  • Take Your Time: Don't rush - Fiordland deserves to be savored
  • Talk to Locals: They have the best insider knowledge
  • Embrace the Weather: Rain creates spectacular waterfalls
  • Disconnect: Limited cell coverage is a feature, not a bug
  • Stay Safe: Nature is beautiful but can be dangerous
  • Enjoy the Journey: The drive to Milford is as good as the destination