Start living on Te Anau time
Enjoy an extra hour of daylight in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland.
“Fiordland appears as it did 1,000 years ago, with waterfalls crashing into inky fiords, lush native fauna clinging to sheer mountainsides and lakes as clear as glass.”
Te Anau is the base to explore New Zealand’s last primordial wilderness, the glacier carved mountainscape of Fiordland. Here, in the deep south, the sun sets a full hour later than it does in Auckland during summer and Autumn - we call that extra hour Te Anau Time.
You’ll be grateful for the extra hour here because you’ll want to use every minute of daylight to soak in all that the region has to offer; three great walks, world-class trout fishing, scenic float plane tours and lavish alpine luxury.
EXPERIENCE THE WORLD’S FINEST WALK
Te Anau is the perfect base to experience three of New Zealand’s great walks including the Milford, the Kepler and the Routeburn. It’s also the best place to start the equally stunning Dusky, Hollyford and George Tracks.
If you haven’t walked it yet the Milford is a must-do New Zealand experience. Once called the finest walk in the world, this 53 kilometre, 3-4 night journey, traverses suspension bridges and a mountain pass, lined with towering peaks and crystal clear lakes. That extra hour of daylight means an extra hour enjoying it all.
You can either book Doc accommodation and do the track yourself or book via a tour provider like Trips and Tramps. Their great walk package covers accommodation, guides and helicopter rides, giving you a taste of each great walk over 3 days.
If you’re into photography try the Milford Sound Landscapes and Star Workshop with professional photographer Douglas Thorne from Southern Photography Adventures. By staying two nights at Milford Sound Lodge, you’ll see a side of Milford that few do and learn to capture the landscapes and stars from a local master.
EXPERIENCE PURE NATURE
Fiordland appears as it did 1,000 years ago, with waterfalls crashing into inky fiords, lush native fauna clinging to sheer mountainsides and lakes as clear as glass. It’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature.
Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, on the shores of Lake Te Anau is a good place to start. It’s completely free to visit and brimming with native birds that are hard to see in the wild, including Takahē ,K ākā and Antipodes Island parakeets. Donations are essential to the continued running of the sanctuary so, if you can, give generously.
If you fancy catching a monster, book a trip with Fishjet NZ. Their tours combine jet boating with trout fishing on the Waiau River with local guides and epic scenery (including a few Lord of the Rings filming locations). Their full day tour includes a gourmet riverside BBQ with locally sourced produce prepared by your guide.
At the end of every adventure-filled day don’t forget to look up. You’ll behold a mass of swirling galaxies and twinkling stars unlike anything you’ve seen before - in fact, Fiordland National Park may soon become the world’s second largest Dark Sky Park.
SEE MOUNTAINS FROM ABOVE
Looking up in Fiordland may be beautiful - but wait until you look down. Wings and Water pilot the only floatplane in the South Island, taking off from Lake Te Anau to explore ancient glaciers, soaring mountain peaks and deep fiords from above.
Our advice? Try the Dusky and Doubtful tour, which takes in 250 islands and two of Fordland’s lesser known and most remote sounds, including its largest and prettiest (Dusky).
For something a little closer to the earth/ground try a Fiordland Historic Cruise on Lake Te Anau. You’ll board the Faith, a WW2 motor sailor built in 1935 Scotland, that once hosted Sir Winston Churchill, hear commentary from friendly local guides and see the majesty of Fiordland National Park from the water.
TREAT YOURSELF
After all that extra daylight and epic adventure you might be just a little weary - not to worry - Te Anau and Fiordland have luxury lodges that’ll have you resting and recuperating in no time.
Head to Fiordland Lodge and book the Deluxe Lodge room, which features cloud-like beds and elevated views across Lake Te Anau to the Kepler Mountains. If a night’s stay is out of the question go for the $90 Dine and Dip package which features a gourmet 3 course meal and time in the lodge’s massive outdoor hot tub, perfect for soaking aching muscles after hiking.
Or for design-led, slightly boujee accommodation with cabin-in-the-wood vibes, try the Cinema Suites in Te Anau. These feature handmade flourishes by local craftsmen, dramatic wallpaper depicting lush native bush and complimentary bottles of local pinot noir and sauvignon blanc on arrival. The only hard part of staying here is leaving.
If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury experience the Cabot Lodge is unrivalled and has no equal. This all-inclusive retreat is hosted by Breidi and Brad Alexander, who provide welcome drinks and farm tours on arrival before showing you to one of the lodge’s plush rooms (most of which feature views over lake Manapouri and the surrounding mountains).
Every night there’s a cocktail hour and canapes, and a gourmet set menu that showcases the lodge’s farm-to-plate produce. Wake to cooked breakfast and fresh baking, and enjoy the property’s walking trails, library, massage services and 4WD tours. Or just stay in bed, order room service and soak in the breathtaking views - it’s up to you.
Ready to extend your summer with a little Te Anau time? Start planning and book your great southern adventure here.