Lake Te Anau

THE GATEWAY TO FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK

07 FEBRUARY 2024

An Adventurer's Paradise

Lake Te Anau sits at the bottom of the South Island in the Southland Region. It's the 2nd largest lake in NZ (after Lake Taupo in the North Island) and also the 2nd deepest lake. It's the gateway to the Fiordland National Park, one of NZ's largest national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Most people travel to Te Anau as a place to rest their weary little heads before heading across to Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound to do one of the most spectacular crusies in the world - I highly recommend this cruise, it will blow your mind with the majestic towering fjords, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals, dolphins and breathtaking waterfalls. Even the road out to Milford Sound is an adventure of its own (and possibly even more beautiful than the cruise?).

There are lots of recreational activities to do on the lake, like fishing, kayaking and cruising. We like walking around the lake when we're in Te Anau, looking for colourful stones (lots by the wharf), skipping stones in the lake, watching the boats and taking photos. The famous Kepler Track starts from Lake Te Anau too and one we plan to do together as a family. Te Anau is part of the International Dark Sky Reserve, so it's one of the best places in the world to see the stars as there is no light pollution.

As you can see, it's an adventurer's paradise at Lake Te Anau and the beauty that surrounds it feels so natural and untouched, which makes it a very peaceful place.

Which Sunset Will You Get?

For some reason, us humans seem to love getting photos of a jetty and sunrise and sunset... I guess it makes a good subject! We spent many sunsets at the Marakura Wharf at Lake Te Anau and no two were every the same. Our favourite sunset was when the sky, land and lake was drenched in a purple hue, it was soooo beautiful and didn't seem real!! Other times the lake was still and the reflections were crystal clear and there wasn't much colour in the sky and another time the mountains looked blue, while the clouds were golden yellow. You never know what sunset you're going to get at Lake Te Anau and I think that's the beauty of it. We took a thermos full of hot water and some tea, coffee and hot chocolate down to the lake with us while we watched and enjoyed the sunset.

To get to this spot, click here for the location on Google Maps. It's called the Marakura Wharf and it's by the yacht club. Parking is on the right, look for the yellow sign saying Marakura Yacht Club, almost opposite the Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park & Motel.

Don't Let The Inversion Layer Put You Off

In winter, Te Anau is often covered in an inversion layer but we spent almost a whole winter here in 2023 and we found that it soon cleared by lunchtime and it wasn't there every day. If you're not familiar with what an inversion layer is, it's basically a warm blanket of air that is trapping the cool air in and preventing it from rising.

I was taking photos of Sienna and found that the lighting was perfect for photography... no harsh light, no shadows... just perfect!

We thought the clouds were so beautiful against the lake and sometimes the layer was only against the mountains behind the lake and it looked so beautiful, like a painting! So don't let this put you off visiting Te Anau in the wintertime.... because it can actually enhance the beauty of the area!

Know Before You Go

Lake Te Anau is the 2nd largest and 2nd deepest lake in NZ
There is a free bird sanctuary near the lake that has tahake, kaka parrot and more beautiful birds. Click here for more info
There are so many spots to walk along the lake and to spend the day, take a drive and find a spot you like!
The sandflies in summer can be a bit pesky - wear long pants or use bug spray if that floats ya boat

How To Get To Lake Te Anau In Southland

Lake Te Anau is in the Fiordland National Park in the Southland Region of New Zealand. Click here for the location on Google Maps.

For the location of the Marakura Wharf, click here.

Conclusion

Lake Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains in winter, native forests and some of the most beautiful sunsets we have seen in New Zealand. There's loads to around and on the lake, like walking, skipping stones, looking for pretty stones near the wharf, fishing, going on scenic cruises and visting the bird sanctuary nearby. Click here for our Te Anau blog, to find out what else there is to do in this beautiful area.