Driving from Te Anau to Te Anau Downs - Road trip along SH94 | Southland | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: Southland Region

Tags: driving, milford sound, new zealand, sh94, te anau, te anau downs

Added: 2 years ago

Driving from Te Anau to Te Anau Downs - Road trip along SH94, in the Southland Region of New Zealand's South Island.

Te Anau is an attractive resort town and a great holiday destination sitting next to New Zealand's second-largest lake, Lake Te Anau. People visit the town for many reasons, with the lake providing a stunning backdrop for this scenic town.

Usually, the water is so calm it reflects the tall lush mountains flanking its westernmost shores. On other days, wild weather whips up waves with white caps. The gigantic Kepler and Murchison mountains rise from the shore, giving way to over one million hectares of protected, pristine wilderness.

Lake Te Anau has three large fiords, North Fiord, Middle Fiord, and South Fiord. These are the only inland fiords in New Zealand, with most of the lake within the Fiordland National Park. Its peaceful deep waters are bordered by lush native forest, rolling hills, and the scenic Kepler and Murchison mountain ranges. As such, the lake's a scenic playground for adventure activities such as jet boating, water skiing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, boating, and paddling. The western shore of the lake also features the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

The town is the main base for visiting the Fiordland National Park. The town has many accommodations, including hotels, lodges, and campgrounds. It's an excellent place to stay when visiting Milford Sound or the Fiordland National Park in general. Restaurants are plentiful and allow visitors to sample delicious local food like seafood, lobster, and venison.

You can plan your walk on the Routeburn, Kepler, or Milford Tracks at the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre. Besides hiking, popular local activities include scenic flights, lake cruising, fishing, and kayaking. A bird sanctuary also specialises in native birds or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

Swimming in Lake Te Anau is a bracing experience, even in the warmer months. Lake temperatures range from 12 to 15 C, so remember your wetsuit. Popular spots for swimming in the lake include Te Anau at the Yacht Club and the Boat Harbour, where shallow sections help warm the water. Also, walk along the Kepler Track to Brod Bay or Dock Bay for picturesque swimming beaches.

In Maori, Te-Anau translates to 'place of swirling water.' This references limestone formations in caves found on the lake's western shores. The famous glow worms of the area live in these underground labyrinths.