Lake Te Anau
Lake New Zealand's South Island lake bordering Fiordland National Park
The principal townside lake serving Fiordland in New Zealand; used as a base for the Kepler and Milford tracks, boat trips into the sounds and access to nearby caves and trails.
Lake Te Anau is a large lake in the Southland Region of New Zealand’s South Island that forms the western approach to Fiordland National Park. The lake is the largest in the South Island by surface area and is the principal water body serving the small town of Te Anau.
The eastern end of the lake hosts the town of Te Anau, which provides accommodation, guides and transport for visitors heading into Fiordland and to attractions such as Milford Sound and the Milford Track. Boating, trout fishing and scenic cruises are common activities on the lake.
The surrounding area was developed for tourism in the 19th and 20th centuries as access into Fiordland improved, and the town on the lake grew to service park visitors. Conservation management of the national park has shaped access and facilities around the lake.
Geographically the lake lies on the eastern boundary of Fiordland; the town of Te Anau is the nearest service centre and Queenstown is the closest larger tourist hub by road to the northeast.
- Gateway to Fiordland: The town of Te Anau sits at the eastern end of the lake and serves as the main gateway to Fiordland National Park and tracks such as the Milford Track.
How to Get to Lake Te Anau #
Lake Te Anau sits on the shore of the town of Te Anau in Fiordland. By car it is commonly reached from Queenstown - allow about 2 hours’ driving to Te Anau; the main sealed approach is via the state highways that link Queenstown and Mossburn with Te Anau. From Te Anau township the lakefront and main viewing points are a short walk (typically under 10 minutes) from the town centre.
Coach services and tour operators run regular transfers between Queenstown, Invercargill and Te Anau (check local timetables). Once in Te Anau most visitors walk, cycle or use local shuttle/tour vehicles to reach the lake edge and nearby trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Lake Te Anau #
- Visit at first light for glassy reflections and calmer water - early mornings also mean fewer tour buses and a better chance of spotting waterfowl along the shore.
- Use Te Anau township lakefront as your primary access point: the town has the visitor centre, boat operators (including trips to the glowworm caves) and clear information on walking-track trailheads.
- If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, plan cruises or cave visits outside the mid-day window (late afternoon departures are often quieter) and book glowworm-cave and fiord cruise tickets in advance, especially in summer and school holidays.
Best Time to Visit Lake Te Anau #
Visit Lake Te Anau in New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere summer (December-February) for the warmest, driest conditions and best access to boat trips and hiking.
Weather & Climate near Lake Te Anau #
Lake Te Anau's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 3°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1711 mm/year), wettest in March.
January
January is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (370 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (153 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm).
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
.jpg?width=600)