Majestic Te Anau: A 1-Day Natural Escape

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by Charles

May 7, 2024 · 1 min read

Te Anau 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day adventure in the serene town of Te Anau, the gateway to the majestic Fiordland National Park. Begin your journey with a visit to Lake Te Anau, the second-largest lake in New Zealand, where you can spend a tranquil two hours soaking in the views of its vast, mirror-like waters against a backdrop of lush mountains. Next, delve into the enchanting world of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves with RealNZ. This two-hour exploration will take you through a network of limestone caves, lit by the otherworldly glow of thousands of tiny glowworms – a truly magical experience. Conclude your day with a three-hour trek along the renowned Kepler Track, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of Eastern Fiordland's landscapes, from dense forests to panoramic vistas. This one-day itinerary in Te Anau, curated by Trip.com, promises a blend of relaxation, wonder, and adventure, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Top 6 Hotels in Te Anau
TOP 1
Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
hotelStar
3/5
82 reviews
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TOP 2
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
hotelStar
4/5
83 reviews
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TOP 3
Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
hotelStar
4/5
31 reviews
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Anchorage Motel Apartments
Anchorage Motel Apartments
hotelStar
4/5
35 reviews
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The Village Inn Hotel Te Anau
The Village Inn Hotel Te Anau
hotelStar
3/5
55 reviews
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Grand View - Te Anau Holiday Home
Grand View - Te Anau Holiday Home
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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1 Day in Te Anau Itinerary: Day 1

1

Lake Te Anau

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Begin your Te Anau adventure by immersing yourself in the serene beauty of Lake Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. As the second-largest lake in New Zealand, it offers a tranquil setting that's perfect for a morning stroll. Spend a couple of hours soaking in the picturesque views, where the water's mirror-like surface reflects the lush landscapes and majestic mountains. The lake's surroundings are dotted with monuments and museums that tell the story of the region's natural and cultural heritage.

Attraction Info

  • Southland, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open 24 hours
1 h 38 min,22.88 km
2

Te Anau Glowworm Caves - RealNZ

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Next, delve into the subterranean marvel of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves with RealNZ. Just a stone's throw away from the lake, this 2-hour expedition will lead you through a network of limestone caves illuminated by the ethereal glow of thousands of glowworms. The experience is both educational and magical, as you learn about the cave's formation while being enchanted by the starry spectacle created by these unique creatures. Located conveniently at 85 Lakefront Drive, it's an otherworldly journey not to be missed.

Attraction Info

  • 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9679, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-7:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso
Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso
4/5 · 1 review
0.4 km from attraction
Alpine Centre Cafe & Bar
Alpine Centre Cafe & Bar
4/5 · 1 review
1.6 km from attraction
Takahe
Takahe
/5 · 0 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
Miles Better Pies
Miles Better Pies
/5 · 0 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
Olive Tree Cafe
Olive Tree Cafe
/5 · 0 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
Solgeo's Indian Takeaway
Solgeo's Indian Takeaway
/5 · 0 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
5 min,4.86 km
3

Kepler Track

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Cap off your day with an invigorating hike along the renowned Kepler Track. Lace up your boots for a 3-hour trek that promises breathtaking vistas and a chance to connect with the untouched wilderness of Eastern Fiordland. Starting from Golf Course Road, the track weaves through a diverse landscape, offering a glimpse into New Zealand's famed outdoor lifestyle. Whether you're an avid hiker or simply enjoy a leisurely walk, the Kepler Track is a fitting finale to a day spent exploring Te Anau's natural wonders.

Attraction Info

  • Golf Course Road | Eastern Fiordland, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 3-5 hour

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso
Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso
4/5 · 1 review
3.6 km from attraction
Alpine Centre Cafe & Bar
Alpine Centre Cafe & Bar
4/5 · 1 review
4.0 km from attraction
Takahe
Takahe
/5 · 0 reviews
3.4 km from attraction
Miles Better Pies
Miles Better Pies
/5 · 0 reviews
3.4 km from attraction
Olive Tree Cafe
Olive Tree Cafe
/5 · 0 reviews
3.5 km from attraction
Solgeo's Indian Takeaway
Solgeo's Indian Takeaway
/5 · 0 reviews
3.6 km from attraction
4.8/55 Reviews
4.8/5Outstanding5 Reviews
Te Anau
|0.99km from Kepler Track
4.8/527 Reviews
4.8/5Outstanding27 Reviews
Te Anau
|2.14km from Kepler Track

Top Things to Do in Te Anau-2024

TOP 1
Te Anau
Te Anau
4.5/5 · 74 review
Highlights:
The tranquil lakeside town of Te Anau, located on the southern shore of Lake Te Anau, New Zealand's second largest lake, is an ideal base for people visiting Milford Sound and for hikers. The increasingly mature tourism industry ensures that tourists will not have nothing to do here, or they can walk around in the sun, sit and enjoy this beautiful town quietly, without having to arrange too many activities. Te Anau is very small, and the center is concentrated in the area of Milford Sound Road, northeast of the tourist service center. There are several restaurants, supermarkets, souvenir shops and banks on the street. Hotels and other accommodation facilities are mainly concentrated on the lakeside road, and most of the rooms can overlook the infinite lake view. There is a glowworm cave on the other side of the town, which is an unusual limestone cave. You can go deep into the cave by boat, enter the silent and secret cave where countless glowworms live, and quietly appreciate the strangeness of the glowworms in the invisible darkness. Shimmer.
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TOP 2
Te Anau Glowworm Caves - RealNZ
Te Anau Glowworm Caves - RealNZ
4.6/5 · 68 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 2,571 review
Highlights:
The word "Te Anau" in Maori means "cave with whirlpool rapids", which refers to Te Anau caves where glowworms live and is considered "one of the most unusual limestone cave tours in the world" , if you go to the South Island Fiordland region, don't miss it. In the 1940s, the local explorer Lawson Burrows, who was fascinated by the ancient legends of Maori, spent three years exploring various caves in the South Island, and finally found this unique Maori legend on the west bank of Lake Te Anau. Caves that appear in. Brauss crawled into the crevice of the rock and through the entrance, the glow of the countless glowworms in the cave caught his eye. The cave has since become a fascinating spot on the shores of Lake Te Anau. In fact, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are just the lower layer of an extremely large cave that extends down to Milford Sound, tens of kilometers north of it. The depths of the cave can only be reached by boat, passing large and small waterfalls and whirlpools along the way, and finally reaching the glittering glowworm cave. After a detailed explanation by the guide, the visitors were divided into several groups and entered the cave by boat. The fireflies emit a little blue light, like a sky full of stars, you will feel like you are in an illusion.
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TOP 3
Lake Te Anau
Lake Te Anau
4.5/5 · 64 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,110 review
Highlights:
Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island of New Zealand and the second largest lake in New Zealand. It is surrounded by the Southern Alps and its water is dark blue. The lake has 4 fjords, depicting a moving deep valley terrain, telling the legend of glaciers etched into the earth. Lake Te Anau divides Te Anau into two distinct areas: a relatively flat, idyllic, relatively densely populated area to the east, and rugged mountains bordering the fjords and dense forests to the west. Lake Te Anau is very lively in summer, people come here to cool off, enjoy fishing and swimming in the lake. The trail by the lake, with lush green forests, is like a reproduction of the beautiful scenery in the painting, which is quite poetic!
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TOP 4
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park
4.6/5 · 77 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 675 review
Highlights:
Fiordland National Park covers an area of 12,120 square kilometers. The three protagonists of Fiordland National Park are Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound, which are the largest parks in New Zealand. It is also one of the largest national parks in the world. 1. The peculiar terrain of the Fjords National Park near the sea was formed in the 14 huge cracks left by glaciers in the previous ice ages. The towering snow-capped peaks are reflected in the ocean that glows with the ghostly blue light of midnight. The ocean extends deep into the park's lush forests. In 1990, the fjord was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as Tiwahipunamer - meaning "Land of Emeralds". Two-thirds of Fiordland National Park is covered with native beech and pine forests. 500 kilometers of well-connected walking trails allow visitors to appreciate a pristine world of mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and mossy valleys. 2. Fiordland National Park, the filming location of Middle-earth, has exited in the movies "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. In "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", everyone jumped on the back of the eagle and escaped from the dangerous scene where the filming took place. You can enjoy the majestic fjords and spectacular waterfalls by helicopter tour or boat cruise.
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TOP 5
Te Anau Wildlife Park
Te Anau Wildlife Park
4.5/5 · 2 review

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Te Anau 1 Day Itinerary