15 Must-Do Walks in Te Anau From Easy to Advanced

If you want to get off the beaten path and explore the beautiful landscapes in and around Fiordland, you won’t want to miss these awesome day walks in Te Anau.

The small lakeside township of Te Anau is often referred to as the ‘gateway to Fiordland’, known for its untouched landscapes, remote wilderness and awesome hiking trails. 

Te Anau is the closest town from which to explore Fiordland National Park, providing visitors with plenty of options for accommodation, amenities such as a supermarket and gas stations, and delicious restaurants to try.

It’s worth spending a few nights here so you have more time to experience this incredible region including Milford Sound, and the more remote and secluded Doubtful Sound. 

And don’t forget to leave some time for all the fun things to do in Te Anau.

The Best Day Walks in Te Anau

Te Anau offers a great selection of walks to choose from to suit a variety of fitness levels and timeframes. We’ve covered a range of options in this list, from easy family-friendly walks to advanced tramping tracks.

We’ve lived in New Zealand for over 20 years and hiked many trails over this time. These are some of the top-rated walks and hikes we’ve experienced over multiple visits.

The best thing is, you can get a taste of the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks that normally takes 3-4 days to complete, as a day walk from Te Anau. Below we’ve shared several options for you to create the perfect day walk on the famous Kepler Track.

Most of these walks start from within or a short drive from Te Anau Township. But if hiking is your thing, there are plenty more fantastic short walks and day hikes along the road to Milford Sound and in Milford Sound itself that we’ve covered in our Milford Sound hiking guide. 

Lace up your hiking boots cause without further ado, here are our top Te Anau walks you won’t want to miss.

Easy Te Anau Walks

These easy walks range from 10 minutes to a few hours and are suitable for families and those who prefer an easy stroll amongst Te Anau’s picturesque landscapes. Don’t forget your camera!

1. The Wilderness Lookout

Ok, so this first one is located at the Wilderness Reserve, a 15-20 drive from Te Anau on SH94 heading toward Mossburn.

If you’re travelling from Queenstown to Te Anau, or Dunedin or Invercargill for that matter, you’ll pass this lookout on the way so it makes sense to include it here.

Besides, it’s a quick and easy walk that is suitable for the whole family and wheelchair accessible, too good to leave out.

The short track from the parking lot leads to a viewing platform over pine forest with spectacular 360° views of the Takitimu Mountains, Fiordland National Park and rural landscapes. 

You’ll see a sign for the Wilderness Reserve and a short driveway that leads to the parking area. Super easy.

2. Ivon Wilson Recreation Reserve & Lake Henry Loop Trail

The Ivon Wilson Recreation Reserve is a 35 ha reserve filled with native and exotic trees, not to mention beautiful views of the Fiordland mountains. 

It’s a short walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitors Centre to the reserve. From here, several paths lead to the scenic Lake Henry, which is actually a children’s fishery. 

You can follow the trail in a loop around the lake for an easy and scenic stroll. 

Not only that, there is a mountain bike track located in the reserve for a little extra adventure. 

The visitors centre can sort you out with fishing licences if you’re keen, as well as the best places to hire bikes.

It’s one of the easiest Te Anau walks and a good option for families.

3. Visitor Centre to Te Anau Bird Sanctuary

This is another great option for families, couples and groups who are keen to experience some of New Zealand’s unique birdlife. 

From the Fiordland National Park Visitors Centre, you’ll follow a well-formed track around the shore of Lake Te Anau and past the yacht club until you reach the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. 

It’s a little further along from the Ivon Wilson Recreation Reserve so you can easily combine the two into a single trip.

Here, you can walk around the beautiful grounds and visit the various birds in aviaries and pens. There’s also free-flying birds enjoying the trees planted nearby. 

It’s one of the few places where you can see the takahē, a unique flightless bird indigenous to New Zealand with a remaining population of just over 400. 

The park is open from dusk until dawn and the entry fee is a gold coin donation.

4. Lake Te Anau Waterfront Track to Upukerora River

This out and back trail is easily one of the best walks in Te Anau to experience the stunning landscapes of the area, including views of the Murchison Mountains and Lake Te Anau. 

Although a longer walk, it’s an easy stroll on a well-graded gravel path that starts from the Fiordland i-SITE Visitors Information Centre. Then takes you along the shores of Lake Te Anau to the mouth of the Upukerora River.

You’ll pass through several points of interest along the way, from town center to Bluegum Point boat harbour and some of the local parks before reaching the river. From here, you can return via the same path. 

5. Brod Bay to Te Anau

For a pleasant walk on the easier part of the Kepler Track, you can take a water taxi from Te Anau across the lake to Brod Bay. 

From here, you’ll follow the track back to Te Anau along the lake and through the Bird Sanctuary then back into Te Anau town center. 

Water taxis run during the summer months and can be booked through the Fiordland i-SITE Visitors Information Centre.

Alternatively, you can skip the water taxi and access Brod Bay by following the path from the Fiordland National Park Visitors Centre to the control gates, which marks the start of the Kepler Track. 

Follow the Kepler Track along the lake edge, through the forest to Dock Bay then continuing around the lake until you reach Brod Bay. 

Dock Bay is a nice spot for a swim on warm summer days and you’ll also find toilet facilities here. 

You’ll return via the same track back to Te Anau which should take around 4-5 hours to complete. If you’re short on time, you can drive to the control gates and leave your car in the parking lot. This will save you about 1.5 hours total walking time.

Both options are a great way to experience the Kepler Track with stunning lake and mountain views along the way. 

Moderately Challenging Walks in Te Anau

These moderately challenging Te Anau walks offer a great variety of trails, from half day walks on the famous Kepler Track to a lesser known short but steep climb in a remote area just outside of Te Anau. Here are our top picks for moderately challenging walks in Te Anau.

6. Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut

For a more challenging but rewarding hike on the Kepler Track, carry on from Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut. From the control gates, this will be a full day’s hike taking around 10-12 hours to complete.

This section of the track takes you to the highest point of the track,  Mount Luxmore summit. This means spectacular views past the tree line but also a steady climb to get there, so a good level of fitness is needed for this one. 

It’s best to do this one on a clear day so you don’t miss out on the impressive views. Also, if you have time, there is a short side trip to the Luxmore Caves that is worth doing. Just remember to bring a flashlight, it’s very dark inside the caves.

You can turn this into an overnight adventure by staying a night in Luxmore Hut, but you’ll need to make a booking during Great Walks season. Hut bookings can be made through the DOC website. 

Overall, this is one of the most rewarding day walks in Te Anau offering incredible views of the lakes and the Te Anau basin.

Not only that, you can take this helicopter to the top of the Mount Luxmore and then walk down to Te Anau for the ultimate bucket-list experience.

🚁 With a 5 Star Rating and Badge of Excellence, the most complete and best tour option is this Guided Kepler Track Heli Hike.

7. Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay

Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay is another great way to experience a moderately challenging but short part of the Kepler Track that starts from the Rainbow Reach carpark. 

From the carpark, you’ll cross the swingbridge to start the short but steep climb through beech forest. It’s worth the effort though, with beautiful views over the river. Not only that, but LOTR fans may recognise the area as one of the filming locations. 

The track continues until you reach Lake Manapouri with lovely beach views and Shallow Bay Hut which marks the end of this part of the track. 

Other than a couple of inclines, this track isn’t difficult and I would rate it as easy to moderate. It’s a good option for those looking for a bit more than an easy walk but nothing too challenging. 

If you are an avid hiker, I would skip this one. There are other tracks that are more rewarding for a little more effort.

8. Lake2Lake Cycle Trail

The Lake2Lake Cycle Trail connects Te Anau to Lake Manapouri. It’s a shared path taking runners, walkers and cyclists along Lake Te Anau and the Waiau River to reach Manapouri. 

Some sections of the path are still under development and you’ll need to follow the highway for these bits. Otherwise, the trail provides beautiful views of the lake and mountains and takes you through a variety of terrain from forest to wetlands. 

Keep an eye out for smaller trails that branch off the main path near Manapouri, including a small boardwalk that leads to the beach. 

The path is exposed in some parts so be sure to wear plenty of sun protection.

9. Mount Burns Tarns Track

The Mount Burns Tarns Track is a little off the beaten path, located deep within Southland. Perfect for those seeking a lesser known walk near Te Anau.

The track starts from Borland Saddle in Monowai, an hour drive from Te Anau. Take the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway then Blackmount-Redcliff Road, to Borland Lodge. 

From the lodge, you’ll travel 15 kilometers up Borland Road to reach the Borland Saddle. It’s worth noting you’ll need a bit of confidence and a suitable vehicle for this part of the drive. It’s a narrow gravel road, steep in places and not suitable for campervans, caravans or trailers. 

Borland Road is closed in the winter months and during inclement weather at other times of the year so best to check the DOC website for any alerts before heading off. 

From the parking lot at Borland Saddle, follow the trail the Mount Burns Tops. It’s a short but spectacular walk through the forest and tussock covered ridge until you reach the plateau at Mount Burns and the beautiful tarns.

Challenging Walks in Te Anau and Manapouri

For advanced hikers with good backcountry skills, these trails will take you to remote parts of Te Anau and Manapouri.

10. Boyd Creek Track 

The Boyd Creek Track is an excellent choice for experienced hikers looking for a more challenging walk near Te Anau.

The trail starts from the Milford Road, about a 35-minute drive from Te Anau town center heading toward Milford Sound. At the road sign for Boyd Creek, follow the shingle road to the car park and picnic area where it joins the Boyd Creek Tops Track. 

It’s a tough slog through bog pine and manuka scrub in parts. We had to turn back at this point due to the conditions and thick bog. But even if you only go to the first clearing, the views are worth it!

The trail is marked to the bush line. For this reason, only experienced trampers with good navigation and backcountry skills should continue further to the top of Countess Range and into the Snowden Forest area.

These next few tracks start in Manapouri, a small town near Te Anau, and require a water taxi to access the start of the trails for a more ‘off the beaten’ path experience.

11. Manapouri Circle Track 

The Manapouri Circle Track is rated as a challenging walk that takes you high above Lake Manapouri for fantastic views.

The trailhead starts from Pearl Harbour in Manapouri, a 15-minute drive from Te Anau. This is also where the Doubtful Sound cruises start from. 

You will need to catch a water taxi across the Waiau River to get to the trailhead which will cost you around $25 per person or $40 for a solo trip, so worth bearing that in mind.

Also, the water taxi only runs during the summer months, from December to April, so you may not have access to the trail if visiting outside of these months. 

The trail loops through beautiful forest rich with birdlife in a challenging ascent, with incredible views from the highest point. 

Be sure to keep an eye on the trail markers to ensure you don’t lose the trail. Also, if you walk clockwise you’ll have the steepest climb at the beginning of the hike and finish with a walk alongside the lakeshore. 

This trail can be muddy at times with fallen trees on the track and streams to cross so expect to get dirty. But hey, that’s all part of a great walk right! 

Overall we found this to be moderately challenging and it took us a little under 3.5 hours including a break at the lookout. 

From the Circle Track, here are a few other options for an extended walk through the wilderness of Manapouri.

12. Manapouri to Hope Arm Hut Track

To reach Hope Arm Hut, follow the trail from the jetty and instead of taking the turnoff to stay on the Circle Track, continue straight. The trail follows along the lake for a bit then climbs gently until you reach the junction for Back Valley/Hope Arm Hut. 

Turning right at the junction for Hope Arm Hut, the trail leads through the forest and along a boardwalk over swampland before crossing a bridge over the Garnock Burn. Shortly after you’ll arrive at Hope Arm beach, a great spot for swimming!

The hut is at the far end of the beach which is a first come, first served basis.

13. Manapouri to Back Valley Hut Track

The Back Valley Hut Track is another option starting from the jetty and about the same distance as the Hope Arm Hut Track but in the other direction. You’ll follow the same track as above until you reach the Back Valley/Hope Arm Hut junction. 

Here, you’ll turn left at the junction and follow the trail through the forest until you reach the Back Valley Hut in a small clearing.

There is a side trail between the Hope Arm Hut and Back Valley Hut so you can combine the walks into one big loop which should take around 8-9 hours, or you can return to the jetty via the same way you came.

14. Manapouri to Lake Rakatu 

We recommend leaving the trail at Back Valley Hut and continuing to the beautiful Lake Rakatu. 

To find the lake, follow Stinking Creek through manuka stands, open clearing and forest until you reach the lake. It’s a great place to stop for lunch and watch the abundant birdlife. 

An absolute hidden gem and you’ll likely have the whole place to yourself.

Return via the same way you came back to the hut to re-join the main track.

15. Monument Track

The Monument Track starts from Hope Arm on Lake Manapouri. You’ll need to travel by water taxi or sea kayak from Pearl Harbour to access the start of the track. 

From the beach trail marker, it’s a short but steep climb through forest, along the ridge and then above the bush line to Monument Summit. At the top the views of Lake Manapouri and surrounding mountains are magnificent! 

Parts of the track are exposed with crumbling rock and narrow ledges, and there is a tricky bit with a chain to assist you around a rock. 

It’s a great track visited by few people due to its remote location, making it all the more special!

Conclusion: 

As you can see, there are many fantastic walks in Te Anau to choose from. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the scenery with a leisurely stroll or to put your backcountry skills to the test, there’s a trail for everyone. 

Just remember, many of these trails are in remote areas and conditions can change quickly. Be sure to prepare for the outdoors and choose a trail that’s suitable for the conditions and fitness levels. Be safe, but have fun!

Fiordland has some of the most incredible landscapes in the country and getting out on the trails is a great way to experience them. We hope you get to try some of these awesome Te Anau walks during your next visit!

If you’re heading to Invercargill next, check out these awesome stops along the Southern Scenic Route between Te Anau and Invercargill.

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