Te Anau

Te Anau is a picturesque lakeside town sitting at the gateway to Fiordland National Park, one of New Zealand's most extraordinary wilderness areas. The town itself is a friendly, relaxed base, but its true magic lies in what surrounds it. Famous for the Te Anau Glowworm Caves — where thousands of luminescent insects create a starlit underground river — Te Anau offers a unique encounter with nature. The town is also the departure point for most Milford Sound day trips and cruises, with the iconic Milford Road (Te Anau to Milford Sound) regularly rated as one of the world's most scenic drives. Beyond Milford, Fiordland offers incredible hiking, including sections of the renowned Milford Track and Kepler Track tramping routes. The surrounding landscape is raw and dramatic — deep fjords, rainforests, and some of the South Island's most untamed scenery. Whether exploring underground wonders, cruising beneath towering waterfalls, or tramping through pristine wilderness, Te Anau is the perfect base for experiencing Fiordland's majesty.