Top Te Anau Outdoor Activities

See the glowworm caves of Te Anau on an underground adventure sure to charm visitors of all ages. An informative guide joins you on the 2hour and 15 minute Te Anau glowworm caves tour, starting with a cruise across Lake Te Anau. Then marvel at the shimmering illumination of thousands of glowworms as you glide through the quiet darkness of this magical underground world.

Discover one of the jewels in the crown of New Zealand's spectacular South Island on this full day Milford Sound hiking tour with cruise. Travel along the Milford Road from Te Anau and enjoy panoramic views over the beautiful countryside. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise through the fjord and out to the Tasman Sea, and gaze over soaring clifftops and plummeting waterfalls. Afterwards, enjoy short guided walks and explore Fiordland's spectacular natural scenery with a local nature guide.

Embark on a cruise of Doubtful Sound in New Zealand, starting from Te Anau or Manapouri. Travel by coach to Manapouri Lake for a short boat ride, followed by a bus trip over Wilmot Pass. En route, stop for alpine views of the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, before taking in the dramatic landscapes, soaring peaks, and wildlife of Doubtful Sound.

Travel along the spectacular Milford Road on a full-day Milford Sound tour from Te Anau. Have the chance to see native wildlife like the endangered kea (an alpine parrot), seals, dolphins, and the Fiordland crested penguin. Visit Gunns Camp, take short walks to beautiful sights including the Chasm and Marian Cascade, and take a sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound. Includes entrance fees, boat cruise with live commentary, morning tea, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Travel to the Tasman Sea on a Milford Sound cruise aboard the ‘Milford Mariner’, 'Milford Sinbad', or ‘Milford Wanderer.’ Pass by the world-renowned Mitre Peak and drift alongside rushing waterfalls as you search for wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland-crested penguins. An onboard nature specialist provides expert commentary. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from Milford Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau by luxury coach.

Cruise Milford Sound from Te Anau during this full-day tour to the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. See the crown jewel of New Zealand’s South Island by luxury coach, stopping en route at the Mirror Lakes before boarding a cruise on luxurious catamaran journey past waterfalls and steep-walled pinnacles such as famous Mitre Peak.

Explore Fiordland National Park's Doubtful Sound on this full-day cruise from Manapouri. Journey across the clear waters of Lake Manapouri, drive over Wilmot Pass into the breathtaking Doubtful Sound. Take in the scenery and keep an eye out for fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and crested and little blue penguins while listening to commentary from your naturalist guide

The Kepler Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, running from the shores of Lake Te Anau to Lake Manapouri and back via majestic alpine vistas. Start your trek off with this private water taxi across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay. From there, stroll back to Te Anau along the lake’s limestone bluffs or, for more of a challenge, hike up Mount Luxmore, a summit with impressive views of Te Anau basin.

Step into a powerful Fiordland Jet boat and cruise down the mighty Waiau River on this roughly two-hour adventure into the heart of Fiordland National Park. With no windows and no ceilings on the jet boat, you’ll hear the wind rush past you as you head down river to Lake Manapouri. Disembark and explore the Park’s ancient forest, then return in your jet boat, doing stunts along the way that you could never do in a car or tour bus.

For those looking to explore one of New Zealand's most scenic drives, the Premium Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Tour from Te Anau is the perfect option. Join knowledgeable and experienced guides on a journey through lush rainforests, glacier carved valleys, and alpine lookouts, with plenty of opportunities for short walks and photo stops along the way before embarking on your cruise. Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, and lunch as you take in the stunning scenery and learn about the fiord's fascinating history and wildlife from the welcoming crew. Finish with a refreshing dance under the Stirling Falls before heading back to Te Anau.

Enjoy an easy day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound without driving yourself through the distractingly beautiful landscape. Admire the mountain views en route, then board your cruise boat on Milford Sound. Get a close-up view of waterfalls and wildlife from a small boat. Later, descend 33 feet (10 meters) to an underwater observatory to see black coral and more.

Get around Lake Te Anau with ease on a small-group tour that combines an elegant cruise and guided nature walks in Fiordland National Park. At the wharf you’ll board a historical motor yacht for a relaxed cruise with afternoon tea. After a bush walk amid the South Island’s famed scenery,  your crew sets sail for the return. This cruise is limited to 16 passengers to ensure a comfortable, personable experience.

Explore the Milford Sound on a full-day tour from Queenstown with a combination of a scenic coach ride, 2-hour sightseeing cruise, and return flight over the pristine mountain wilderness.

Tucked away in the South Island’s beautiful fiordland region, Milford Sound ranks among New Zealand’s most impressive natural attractions—but its remote location makes access challenging. On this tour, enjoy round-trip transport from Te Anau to Milford Sound aboard your premium glass-roof coach and admire panoramic views over the countryside scenery. With buffet lunch included, take to the water for a Milford Sound cruise, and discover native wildlife among the towering waterfalls.

Travel the Milford Road in our luxurious & comfortable vehicle specially designed for small groups tours to Milford Sound. Modern comforts such as bucket leather seats, extended leg room, high performance air conditioning, small bag storage space, table trays & USB charging. Guided by our local expert commentary, we take you to all the main photo & experience stops but also add in a couple of extra special ones not listed here. Three short & optional nature walks are included. Upon arriving in Milford Sound, your two-hour nature cruise awaits you aboard our cruise partners premium boat. Boasting a full restaurant and bar, you can dine in comfortable seating enjoying local blue cod, wild venison or other NZ classics while the mountains, waterfalls and wildlife go by. Our tour fully offsets its emissions with the planting of native trees for every guest and fully recyclable/compostable amenities. Our goal is to create memories, not footprints.

Go on one of New Zealand's "Great Walks," the Routeburn Track from Te Anau to Key Summit, during this full-day guided walking tour. Get views of alpine herb fields, lush forests, and enjoy panoramic views of South Island. Travel with a small group of 12 hikers or fewer, ensuring personalized attention from your guide.

Get a comprehensive tour of Milford Sound with this combination coach tour and boat cruise from Te Anau. Avoid the hassle of self-driving along the mountainous Milford Road by going with a guide and group in a low-emission vehicle. Stop for photo ops and short walks en route. Then, transfer to a boat for a scenic cruise on Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch and unlimited coffee and tea on the water.

See the hidden gems and famous Lord of the Rings sites surrounding Te Anau on this half-day tour. The highlights include the Mavora Lakes, the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, and Fiordland National Park. While the destinations are beautiful, what sets this tour about is its attention to detail and small-group focus, allowing for a more intimate and dedicated experience.

Enjoy majestic views of the Fiordland wilderness without hiking up mountains or even breaking a sweat on this luxury sunset cruise. Enjoy champagne and canapés on the deck of this impeccably-preserved 1930s sailing yacht and marvel at the rolling hills and dense forest stretching from the shores of Lake Te Anau through to the horizon. Relax and watch the sun set over the Southern Alps.

It can be difficult to really stop and appreciate the sights and sounds of Fiordland National Park when you’re hiking or mountain biking. This easy-going morning cruise takes the hiking packs, sweating and heavy breathing out of the equation. Cruise along Lake Te Anau in an elegant 1930s sailing yacht and enjoy the views of the towering Southern Alps from the lake.

Soar over Lake Te Anau via helicopter. Soak up views of the Hidden Lakes, the Main Divide and the remote Kepler Mountains before getting dropped off at the Luxmore Hut for your hike. Soak up the amazing views from Luxmore Summit, before descending by foot onto the shores of Lake Te Anau.

The most scenic jet boat ride ever: see actual “Lord of the Rings” film locations on the way down to the beautiful Lake Manapouri. On the way down the river you will get the chance to spot rainbow and brown trout. There is an amazing view around every river bend. The ride has a pinch of adrenalin and heaps of natural beauty. Lake Manapouri is amazing and you may not see another boat in sight. Your start of part of the Kepler Track begins on disembarking from the boat at approximately 12:00 pm. A leisurely guided walk begins through towering Beech trees and even taller Rimu trees. Our guide will share his/her knowledge with you; Native trees, ferns and the occasional Bellbirds, Tuis, friendly Fantails, Tomtits, Finches and Robins will keep your camera clicking. The hike concludes at the large suspension bridge at Rainbow Reach where your transport awaits to take you back to Te Anau

Discover the remarkable Kepler Track on this full day tour, including helicopter and water taxi. Reach the Luxmore Hut by helicopter, taking in panoramic mountain views at this iconic hiking location. Venture on an alpine hike before descending through native beech forest to the sandy lake shore, where you’ll catch a water taxi back to Te Anau.