Te Anau in a nutshell
Te Anau lies on the shore of Lake Te Anau and marks the beginning of the Milford Road. The town has hotels, hostels, campgrounds and restaurants, and it is the last place with a supermarket before Milford. Manapouri, where Doubtful Sound trips begin, is close by.
Most visitors use Te Anau as a base for Milford Sound. It is about 2 hours from the fiord by road, compared with about 5 hours from Queenstown. The distance by road is 120 km, and the Mirror Lakes walk starts about 56 km north of town. There are no shops or fuel stations between Te Anau and Milford, so stock up before you leave.
Why stay in Te Anau
Shorter days, more choice at the start of the road.
Closer to the fiord
A Milford day from Te Anau takes about 7 hours with RealNZ, against 12 hours from Queenstown. You can also drive yourself and leave early.
Compare Queenstown →Supplies
The nearest supermarket to Milford is in Te Anau. Buy food, water and fuel here.
Lake and walks
The town sits on the lake shore, and the Milford Road starts here. The Mirror Lakes walk, for example, starts about 56 km to the north.
Milford Road stops →Our picks: from Te Anau
A glowworm cave tour, a helicopter flight and a coach trip with pick-up in Te Anau.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Helicopter flight over Doubtful Sound with two landings
A 70-minute helicopter flight with two mountain landings, a safety briefing and commentary from the pilot.
Check availability →
Full-day coach trip with a Milford cruise
Pick-up in central Queenstown or Te Anau, the cruise, viewing decks and lunch are included. Breakfast and other drinks are not.
Check availability →Te Anau glowworm caves guided tour
A boat across Lake Te Anau, a guided cave tour and tea or coffee. Hotel transfer is not included.
Check availability →Te Anau tours and day trips
Milford Sound day trips, Glowworm Caves and flights from Te Anau, with live prices and availability.
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
A boat, a guided walk and a small boat inside the cave.
RealNZ runs the tour from 85 Lakefront Drive. You cross the lake by boat, follow a guided path through the cave and then ride a small boat in the grotto. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure. The product page advertises the tour from NZ$154, while the Te Anau destination page says NZ$145, so confirm the price for your date.
The duration varies by source. The destination page gives 2.5 hours, and the operator's blog says about 2 hours in total, with 45 minutes in the cave. Plan for the longer figure. The cave is only open with a RealNZ guide, with no individual walk-ins. Tours run all year, with day and evening departures.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Photos and film | Not allowed inside the cave |
| Temperature | 8 to 12 °C, so bring warm clothing |
| Access | A low entrance and steps, so not suited to everyone |
| Children | May not suit younger children, because quiet is needed |
Day trips from Te Anau
Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and the air.
RealNZ lists its Milford day trip from Te Anau at NZ$269 for 7 hours, with a central meeting point at 85 Lakefront Drive. It does not promise pick-up at every hotel. Pure Milford advertises NZ$236 from Te Anau, and Mitre Peak lists a coach, cruise and walk package from NZ$315. Southern Lakes Helicopters flies from Te Anau, and Wings and Water runs a floatplane. Details and conditions are on the scenic flights page.
Doubtful Sound trips start at the Manapouri Visitor Centre, about 30 minutes from Te Anau. The full-day trip lasts 6 hours 45 minutes and starts at NZ$399. See the Doubtful Sound page for how it compares with Milford.
| Trip | From | Time | Adult price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milford coach and cruise (RealNZ) | 85 Lakefront Drive | 7 hours | NZ$269 |
| Milford coach and cruise (Pure Milford) | Te Anau | – | NZ$236 |
| Helicopter with 2 mountain landings | Te Anau | 1 h 45 min | From NZ$1,615, plus a fuel surcharge |
| Floatplane to Milford | Te Anau | – | NZ$665; children NZ$400 |
| Glowworm Caves | 85 Lakefront Drive | 2 to 2.5 hours | NZ$145 to 154 |
The helicopter lands at Lake Quill and Lake Erskine. The floatplane carries a maximum of 5 passengers, has weight limits and can be cancelled for weather.
Getting to and from Te Anau
Buses and where to sleep.
Tracknet runs a winter bus between Te Anau and Queenstown once a day from 2 May to 25 October 2026. It leaves at 08:30 or 10:00 depending on the date, and returns at 13:30 or 15:00. The timetable is not fixed by weekday, so check the date you need. A separate summer timetable applies after that.
For rooms, campgrounds and the lodge at the fiord, read where to stay. If you plan to hike the Milford Track, Tracknet lists transport packages from Te Anau, booked in advance. For the rest of the island, see where to stay at Mount Cook and the glacier guide for Franz Josef.
Te Anau: frequently asked questions
How far is Te Anau from Milford Sound?
It is 120 km by the Milford Road. Allow at least 2 hours of driving, and about 3 hours with stops, parking and the walk to the terminal.
Can I walk into the Glowworm Caves without a tour?
No. According to the operator, entry is only with a RealNZ guide. Tours run all year with day and evening departures.
Can I take photos in the Glowworm Caves?
No. Photography and filming are not allowed inside the cave.
Is Te Anau a good base for Doubtful Sound too?
Yes. Manapouri, where the trips begin, is about 30 minutes away, while Queenstown is 2.5 to 3 hours from there.
Where do I buy food and fuel before Milford?
In Te Anau. There are no shops or fuel stations between the town and Milford, so fill the tank and bring water and snacks.