Fiordland Jet Boat Adventure
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South Island
Te Anau
Te Rua-o-te-moko
Where relaxed town life meets the immense, pristine wilderness of Fiordland.
7 Tours Visit Here
Kauri, Kōwhai, Mataī, Mt Cook Lily, Pōhutukawa, Rimu, Tōtara
Discover Te Anau
Deep in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, Te Anau brings a welcoming lakeside community and immense wilderness together. Te Anau rests on the eastern shore of the South Island’s largest lake, with waterfront walks, welcoming restaurants and forested mountain views across the water. Beyond the lake lies a vast landscape of glacier-carved fiords, ancient rainforest, alpine lakes and dramatic mountain ranges. Peaceful yet closely connected to adventure, Te Anau invites visitors to enjoy its relaxed southern atmosphere while remaining close to Fiordland’s extraordinary wilderness.
Relaxed Southern Character
Friendly, peaceful and unhurried, Te Anau offers a welcoming contrast to the immense landscapes surrounding it.
A Working Southern Town
Tourism, conservation, farming and fishing come together in Te Anau, shaping a practical and welcoming local community.
South Island’s Largest Lake
Covering 344 square kilometres, Lake Te Anau is the largest of the South Island’s lakes.
Gateway to Fiordland
Te Anau is the natural starting point for journeys through the mountains to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound.
Long before Te Anau became a visitor destination, Māori travelled through the wider region to gather food and seek prized pounamu (greenstone). These journeys followed established routes through a culturally significant landscape shaped by generations of knowledge and connection.
Te Anau’s growth is closely tied to improved access through the surrounding region. The township remained small until the Homer Tunnel and road to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound were completed in 1953, creating a remarkable route through the mountains. As visitor numbers grew, tourism developed alongside farming, fishing and conservation, shaping the welcoming southern community found here today.
That history still shapes the experience today. Te Anau offers lakeside walks, welcoming restaurants and an easy-going southern atmosphere, with Lake Te Anau and the forested mountains forming an ever-present backdrop. The town also provides a base for discovering a wider range of southern landscapes, local stories and experiences. While closely connected to Fiordland, Te Anau has its own distinct character shaped by community, lakeside beauty and relaxed local life.
What You'll Experience
Some of New Zealand's most treasured experiences, all part of your time in Te Anau.
Jet boat adventure on Lake Te Anau and the Waiau River
Discover the wild beauty of Fiordland by jet boat as you journey from the glistening lakefront in Te Anau to the quiet banks of the Waiau River, travelling the waters as far as the deserted shores of Lake Manapouri. Experience a hidden world framed by solemn mountains and wild forest, steeped in natural beauty and rich in history. Step ashore to explore ancient southern beech forest and learn about the unique flora and fauna that thrive within Fiordland National Park.
Fiordland, famous for its conservation efforts, is one of the largest protected areas in the world.
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Visit a working Southland farm
Visit a 220-acre working support farm, featuring a fully restored 100-year-old woolshed, for an authentic Southland experience. Meet a local farmer and gain insight into New Zealand’s agricultural heritage, hand-feed friendly farm animals, and enjoy a sheep-shearing and dog-mustering demonstration. Along the way, listen to personal stories and experiences from a farmer who grew up here, bringing Southland's rural heritage to life.
For various reasons, each animal at this farm has needed to be hand-reared, so they thoroughly enjoy human interaction.
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Gateway to Milford Sound
Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where the spectacular Milford Road begins its journey deep into Fiordland National Park. Travel through native rainforest, broad alpine valleys and dramatic mountain country, pausing at scenic locations along the way. The road ultimately arrives at Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where towering peaks and sheer cliffs rise above the dark waters of the fiord.
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is the only one of Fiordland's 14 fiords accessible by road, with the 120-kilometre (75-mile) journey beginning in Te Anau.
ExploreOptional Experiences
These optional experiences are available at an extra cost to passengers joining selected Pure Discoveries® tours.
Booked a Pure Discoveries® tour and interested in adding optional experiences? Get in touch with our team to discuss your options.
Explore optional experiences across all Pure Discoveries® tour destinations
Optional Extra
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to its remote western shore, then join a small-group guided journey through twisting passages shaped by rushing water. Follow the cave path before gliding silently by boat beneath the luminous glow of thousands of glowworms, then return to Te Anau across the lake.
The caves are only around 12,000 years old and are still being shaped by the powerful underground river flowing through them.
Where You'll Stay in Te Anau
1 night
Distinction Hotel Luxmore
Te Anau is a charming South Island town based on the eastern side of Lake Te Anau, the South Island's largest lake. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Te Anau and just a short stroll from the glacially formed lake. The hotel has two on-site restaurants for you to choose from, their eateries and bars are a popular choice with both visitors and locals alike.
- Township centre location
- Multiple on-site restaurants
- Gym
On Tour in Te Anau
See how this destination features on our small-group tours.
How Pure Discoveries® Visits
Journey south through sweeping alpine landscapes, travelling alongside the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu before a glacial-carved valley leads to the shores of Lake Te Anau.
During your stay, enjoy a Fiordland Jet Boat Adventure, travelling through a hidden world of mountains, wild forest and quiet waterways. You will also join a Southland Working Farm Tour to meet a local farmer and see sheep-shearing and dog-mustering demonstrations. An optional Te Anau Glowworm Caves experience is available at an extra cost. After an overnight stay, the journey continues from Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound.
Tours That Explore Te Anau
These Pure Discoveries® tours include Te Anau in their itinerary.
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Featured Experience: Journey through native forest on the Driving Creek Railway
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Featured Experience: Discover Cathedral Cove, one of New Zealand's most iconic coastal sights
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Day 9 here
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Day 7 here
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A 10-day guided journey through the South Island, designed for travellers who want a compact adventure that still delivers the big scenic moments.
Featured Experience: Glide along the Avon River on a classic punting experience in Christchurch
Nearby Places
More to explore around Te Anau
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