Things to do in Te Anau

1. Scenic Flight

Fiordland Helicopters provides scenic helicopter flights over the most beautiful parts of the Fiordland World Heritage Park.

This contains the world-famous Milford Sound as well as the less well-known Doubtful and Dusky Sounds. Our National Park concessions allow for several landings and give you the opportunity to choose your own flight path and landing spot. We are not restricted to landing spots along renowned scenic flight routes. This independence, along with the knowledge of our experienced pilots, is crucial in their mission to show you the best of Fiordland.

2. Milford Sound Discover More Cruise

Explore the fiord's splendour on a vessel designed specifically for the best viewing. Enjoy a great lunch, complimentary tea and coffee, and a visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory on a day tour.
Climb onboard a purpose-built catamaran at the Milford Sound Cruise Terminal for an authentic and insightful tour of the fiord. Get up close and personal with some of the world's most stunning rock faces and waterfalls. As you sail by the native seals basking on the rocks, join the skipper in the open wheelhouse and say hello. Local nature guides will guarantee that you learn about the sanctuary's fauna, natural heritage, and history. Onboard, you'll be treated to a delightful picnic meal.

3. Milford Sound Fly Cruise

Take off from Queenstown and fly over Central Otago's rocky countryside before going west to the glacial-fed rivers that pour into Lake Wakatipu. As you travel through two amazing National Parks, Mt Aspiring and the world heritage-listed Fiordland National Park, you will see what the power of nature has built over time.

4. Boutique Small Boat Cruise

Join this award-winning, family-owned and run company for a once-in-a-lifetime event. Milford Sound will be explored in a local manner, with knowledgeable local guides who will share their knowledge and interesting anecdotes with you. The smaller boats will get you much closer to the cascading waterfalls and will allow you to get up close and personal with the local wildlife, such as NZ Fur Seals and Bottlenose Dolphins. A "Glacial Facial", besides the beautiful Sterling Falls, is an unforgettable experience.

5. Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Milford Sound is a beautiful habitat for birdlife, dolphins, fur seals, and endangered species such as the Fiordland Crested Penguin, which is nestled within Fiordland National Park. Milford Sound, rich in geological formations, mesmerising waterfalls, and, predictably, one of the most amazing scenic day tours to undertake in New Zealand, is a marvel at any time of year and in any weather. Set sail across the sea on a purpose-built catamaran from Milford Sound Cruise Terminal to experience the unique wildlife of one of the South Island's most gorgeous sights. Onboard, enjoy complimentary tea and coffee, and when reserving, choose from a variety of delectable lunch selections.

6. Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Day Trip

Sit back, relax, and take in the breathtaking surroundings as well as the instructive discourse. Your knowledgeable local guide will show you the best sights along the Milford Road and effortlessly connect you to a 2-hour lunch cruise. Travel in a comfortable premium bus with plenty of legroom and USB charging connections. The native rainforest, stunning waterfalls, and glacial lakes are all worth seeing. Before continuing down the stunning alpine Milford Road, make a brief stop in Te Anau. Pose for shots while admiring the breathtaking vistas in Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobbs Flat, or Monkey Creek. As you approach the visitor terminal, be awed by the glacially carved Milford Sound.

7. Milford Sound Cruise & Kayak

Your vacation begins with a Milford Sound Nature Cruise that travels the length of the sound and out to the Tasman Sea. You won't miss a thing with vessels designed just for viewing! You'll be dropped off at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory near the end of your tour to learn about the history, geology, and ecology of Milford Sound, as well as visit New Zealand's only floating underwater observatory, Milford Deep, to see rare black coral. Then, after 90 minutes of calm kayaking in serene Harrison Cove, your expert kayak and nature guide will transport you to the kayaking pontoon.

8. Drive the Milford Sound Road

If there is one road in New Zealand that you simply must drive, this is it. The adventure begins with a relaxing drive along Lake Te Anau before advancing towards Fiordland National Park.
The journey towards Milford Sound is quite spectacular, with towering cliffs and mountains, as well as crystal-clear rivers. The trip takes at least 1.5 hours, but we recommend allowing two hours just to be safe - especially if you're dealing with Fiordland's notoriously bad weather. The Chasm, Lake Marian, and the Mirror Lakes are just a few of the notable stops along the road.

9. Te Anau Bird Sanctuary

How can the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary not be at the top of our Te Anau to-do list as a free activity that allows you to see some of New Zealand's most intriguing and uncommon birds?! Birds are housed at this facility for breeding operations aimed at increasing the wild population size, as well as rehabilitation before being released back into the wild. This provides us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with birds like the takahe, kaka, kea, morepork, parakeet, and many others!

10. Day Trip to Doubtful Sound

A cruise experience in a tranquil section of Fiordland National Park, Doubtful Sound, is located across the water of Lake Manapouri and down New Zealand's most secluded road. The Doubtful Sound tour is a full-day adventure for individuals who want more than a taste of New Zealand's iconic fiords; they want to be immersed in them! Doubtful Sound is the fiord cruise to do if you only have time to take one from Te Anau.