Lake Te Anau essentials

Lake Te Anau serves as the primary gateway to Fiordland National Park and the road to Milford Sound. The area features the Te Ana-au glow-worm caves on its western shore and the Mirror Lakes, known for their reflections of the Earl Mountains. Visitors can observe the rare flightless Takahē at the local bird sanctuary or hike sections of the Kepler Track to reach Luxmore Hut and its nearby limestone caves. The region also encompasses the Eglinton Valley's glacial landscapes and Lord of the Rings filming locations along the Waiau River.

Lake Te Anau Essentials — Map

MSeses / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Te Ana-au Glow-Worm Caves

The Te Ana-au caves are a culturally and ecologically important system of limestone caves on the western shore of Lake Te Anau, in the…

Krzysztof Golik / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Mirror Lakes

Mirror Lakes are a set of lakes lying north of Lake Te Anau and immediately to the west of the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound in New…

C

Eglinton Valley

A vast glacial valley characterized by golden tussock grass and steep mountains. It served as a filming location for the Lord of the Rings and is a major landmark on the road to Milford Sound.

D

Te Anau Bird Sanctuary Punanga Manu o Te Anau

This conservation site is home to rare native New Zealand birds, including the flightless Takahē, Kākā, and Kererū, providing a chance to see species that are difficult to find in the wild.

E

Lake Te Anau Vista

A scenic lookout point offering expansive views over New Zealand's second-largest lake and the surrounding Murchison Mountains.

F

Fiordland Cinema

A boutique theater specifically built to screen 'Ata Whenua - Shadowland,' a cinematic film showcasing the remote wilderness of Fiordland National Park from an aerial perspective.

G

Luxmore Hut

A Department of Conservation hut located at 1,085 meters on the Kepler Track, providing accommodation for hikers with views of Lake Te Anau and the Murchison Mountains.

H

Luxmore Caves

Limestone caves located a short walk from Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track. These caves feature stalactites and stalagmites; a torch is essential for exploration.

I

Te Anau Downs

A harbor and farming area that serves as the primary departure point for hikers starting the Milford Track. It offers views across the lake toward the North and Middle Fiords.

J

Anduin river

A stretch of the Waiau River used to represent the River Anduin in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. It connects Lake Te Anau with Lake Manapouri.

K

Department of Conservation Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre

The central hub for track conditions, weather forecasts, and Great Walk bookings. It includes interpretive displays regarding the region's geology, flora, and fauna.