Te Anau
- Invercargill
157 km (98 miles)
Approximately 2 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway
Te Anau township sits on the shores of Lake Te Anau. From here, the delights of the Fiordland National Park are within easy reach, including the start of the world famous Milford Track. Cruise on the lakes, walk the tracks and explore the Te Ana-au Caves.
Choose between two routes to reach Invercargill. The longer, wilder route takes you past Lake Manapouri, then on to Clifden and Tuatapere, where you can investigate caves and discover the historic suspension bridge. Riverton, one of New Zealand’s first settlements, has an excellent museum.
The road east runs through forested hills, valleys and river plain. Stop in Mandeville if you’d like to fly in a Tiger Moth, or by the Mataura River if you want to catch a trout. Gore is where you’ll find the Hokonui Moonshine Museum, which showcases the region’s illicit whisky-making past.
Invercargill is Southland's principal centre and the country's southernmost city. It is known for its elegant old department stores and wide, easy-to-navigate streets. Local food specialties include Bluff Oysters and blue cod.
Scenic Highlights
Routeburn Track
In pre-European times, Maori frequently used this route during journeys to collect pounamu (jade) from west coast rivers.
Curio Bay and Slope Point
There are many things to capture your imagination at Curio Bay, including dolphins, penguins and fossilised trees.
Fiordland's Marine Reserves
In parts of Fiordland National Park, natural environments are protected from the peaks of mountains to the depths of the fiords.
Lake Te Anau
An early European explorer described Fiordland as ""utterly useless except for mountaineers"", and that's why it's still so pristine.
Catlins River Walk, Purakaunui Falls and Jack's Blowhole
Combine the Catlins River Walk with visits to Purakaunui Falls and Jack's Blow Hole - it'll be an amazing day.
Queens Park
Queens Park is Invercargill's pride and joy - a paradise of cool climate gardens and walkways.
Oreti Beach and Sandy Point
Oreti Beach was Burt Munro's race track - a 26 kilometre stretch of perfectly smooth sand.
Activities
Fiordland
Hunting (1),
Walking/Trekking (12)
Southland
Boat Cruises (3)
Tour and Sightseeing
Fiordland
Walking/Trekking (1)
Tour and Sightseeing
Southland
Boat Cruises (2)
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