How to Spend the Perfect Couples Weekend in Te Anau
Queenstown is a popular choice for couples visiting New Zealand's South Island, but it can also be very busy. If you're looking for somewhere with beautiful scenery but a quieter atmosphere, Te Anau makes a great alternative.
It's a quaint lakeside town known for its friendly customer service, and it's a natural base for exploring the wider Fiordland area.
Here we cover some options for where to stay, eat, and what to do, along with a suggested 3-night itinerary to help you put it all together.
Key Takeaways
Te Anau is a peaceful lakeside town in Fiordland, offering a quieter alternative to staying in Queenstown.
Accommodation options range from high-end luxury lodges to comfortable mid-range B&Bs and unique Airbnbs.
Te Anau is the natural base for day tours to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and the Glowworm Caves.
Self-guided activities include day walks on the Kepler Track, e-biking along the Fiordland Lake and River Trail, and scenic drives to nearby Manapouri and beyond.
A sauna session at Wild Woods and a stroll along Lake Te Anau are two great ways to unwind.
A 3-night stay works well for a weekend trip, giving you time for a full-day tour, a day of exploring, and time to relax.
Where to Stay in Te Anau
Te Anau has accommodation to suit different budgets and preferences, from luxury lodges with lake and mountain views to comfortable self-contained studios. Here are a few recommendations.
Fiordland Lodge
Fiordland Lodge is just out of the main Te Anau township, with beautiful views over Lake Te Anau. It's one of the high-end luxury accommodation options in the area, with fine dining on site and a boutique lodge feel.
Radfords on the Lake
Radfords on the Lake is right on the Te Anau lakefront, with modern rooms and easy access to town. It’s a great option if you want luxury accommodation within easy walking distance to Te Anau's restaurants and shops.
Blue Ridge Studios
Blue Ridge Studios is a great mid-range option in a quiet setting surrounded by native bush and birdsong. Each studio unit is fully self-contained with breakfast included, making it an easy and relaxing base.
Fiordland Eco Retreat
Fiordland Eco-Retreat is an Airbnb option about 6km outside Te Anau, with beautiful views from its hilltop setting and a hot tub for relaxing after a day out. You'll need your own vehicle to stay here, but it could suit couples looking for something a little more secluded.
Where to Eat in Te Anau
Te Anau has a varied food scene, with everything from relaxed cafés and casual meals to restaurants that work well for a special dinner. We recommend booking ahead, especially in summer.
The Fat Duck
The Fat Duck is a popular dinner spot with a relaxed atmosphere and a large menu to suit a range of preferences.
Redcliff
Redcliff is a nice option for a more special evening, with a cosy atmosphere and a menu specialising in seasonal local ingredients.
Ditto
For something more casual, Ditto is a great option for lunch or an easy dinner. They also have takeaway menu options.
Milford Road Merchant
Milford Road Merchant is a great place for a coffee, bakery treat, or a browse through local artisan goods and souvenirs.
Tours from Te Anau
One of the advantages of staying in Te Anau is how easy it is to explore the wider Fiordland region on a day tour. Here are some options that provide different experiences to suit the pace of your weekend.
Milford Sound Day Tour
A Milford Sound tour is the classic Fiordland experience. It’s a full day out, with the drive up the Milford Road being just as much a highlight as Milford Sound itself.
Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound is larger and more remote than Milford Sound. This tour is another full-day experience, including a boat trip across Lake Manapouri and a coach ride over Wilmot Pass to reach the secluded fiord.
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
The Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour is a shorter half-day option, involving a boat trip across the lake followed by a guided walk through the underground cave system to see thousands of glowworms.
This tour works well as either a morning or evening trip, leaving the rest of the day free of other activities.
Self-Guided Activities
A Day Hike on the Kepler Track
The Kepler Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and while doing the full track is a multi-day hike, it also has great day hike options.
Drive to the Control Gates at the official start of the track, about 5km from Te Anau, and walk to Dock Bay (around 40 minutes one way) or Brod Bay (around 1.5 hours one way). You could also head up Mt Luxmore for a more challenging full-day hike with panoramic views.
E-Bike the Fiordland Lake and River Trail
The Fiordland Lake and River Trail is a scenic biking route that starts in Te Anau and follows the lake and river through native forest.
You can bike to the Control Gates at the start of the Kepler Track, and continue to Queens Reach, where you cross a few small hills and get a view over the Waiau River, which was a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
E-bikes are available for hire from Wild Rides Te Anau.
Visit Manapouri
Manapouri is a small lakeside township around a 20-minute drive from Te Anau. There, you can take a stroll along Fraser's Beach for views across Lake Manapouri to the mountains, then stop at The Church for a coffee.
Scenic Drive to Brunel Peaks Café
If you enjoy scenic drives, continue beyond Manapouri to Brunel Peaks Café, around 40 minutes from Te Anau. The drive takes you to views of the Brunel Peaks and Takitimu Mountains, while the café itself is a relaxed place to stop for a meal or drink.
Ways to Unwind
Sauna at Wildwood
Wildwood Sauna offers both shared and private sauna sessions in a natural setting just outside Te Anau. It's a nice way to slow down after a full day of walking or sightseeing, and sessions can be booked online in advance.
Evening Stroll Along Lake Te Anau
Te Anau has a long lakefront walking track that's ideal for an evening stroll, particularly at sunset when the mountains behind the lake catch the last of the light.
Suggested 3-Night Itinerary
Three nights give you enough time to experience some of Fiordland's highlights without packing every hour of the weekend with activities. Here's one way to structure a Friday-to-Monday trip, with a mix of sightseeing, exploring, and downtime.
Day 1: Arrive and Settle In
Check into your accommodation in the afternoon or early evening. Head out for dinner, then take an evening stroll along Lake Te Anau to unwind.
Day 2: Full-Day Tour
Use this day for one of the full-day tours from Te Anau. A Milford Sound tour is the classic choice, though Doubtful Sound is a great alternative if you feel like going somewhere more remote.
If you'd prefer a shorter tour, the Glowworm Caves work well as a half-day option, freeing up the rest of the day for a leisurely lunch and a wander around town.
Day 3: Explore and Relax
Keep your final full day flexible. Spend the morning walking a section of the Kepler Track, e-biking the Fiordland Lake and River Trail, visiting Manapouri, or taking a scenic drive to Brunel Peaks Café.
In the afternoon, slow things down with a private sauna session at Wild Woods and then head out for a nice dinner.
Day 4: Coffee and Depart
Before leaving Te Anau, stop at Milford Road Merchant for a coffee and a browse through the locally-made goods in store.
For couples who want to spend a weekend somewhere scenic without the busier atmosphere of a major tourist town, Te Anau is a great option. Its combination of plentiful activities, relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful surroundings, making it a lovely place to spend a few days together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I visit Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound?
Neither option is better than the other, but it depends on what you’re looking for. Milford Sound is more accessible, with a wider range of tour operators and the option to self-drive along the Milford Road. The journey itself is also a big part of the experience, with a scenic drive and plenty of opportunities to stop at viewpoints along the way.
Doubtful Sound is more remote and can only be visited as part of a tour with RealNZ. Getting there involves a cruise across Lake Manapouri followed by a coach journey over Wilmot Pass, so the journey is less about stopping at scenic locations along the road and more about reaching a remote part of Fiordland.
If you have two days to spare, you could consider a two-day Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound package to experience both.
How long should you stay in Te Anau?
Two to three nights is a good amount of time for a first visit to Te Anau. Two nights gives you enough time for a day trip into Fiordland and some time to explore the town, while three nights give you more flexibility to fit in another outing or allow time to relax.
Should I stay in Te Anau or Queenstown to visit Milford Sound?
You can visit Milford Sound from either Te Anau or Queenstown, but Te Anau is the more convenient base. A Milford Sound day trip from Te Anau takes around 8 hours in total, compared with around 12 to 13 hours from Queenstown.
If you need to stay in Queenstown for other parts of your trip, a guided Milford Sound tour from Queenstown is a good option, as you won't have to do the driving yourself.
