Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland's dazzling wilderness, although the eponymous lakeside town has no shortage of its own attractions.
Top of the list are the Te Anau glow-worm caves. The excursion starts with a boat trip over to the western side of the lake, followed by a brief stroll
through the bush, then a boat trip on an underground river through a network of caves to the glow-worm grotto.
Te Anau's Fiordland Cinema is a gorgeous boutique theatre featuring a roaring open fire and comfy seats that you can recline in with a glass of wine while you lap up the cinematic scenery.
A staple feature that screens daily is Ata Whenua, which is a panoramic documentary, showcasing the jaw-droppingly gorgeous natural scenery of the region.
From Te Anau, the Milford Highway wends its way to Milford Sound and the world-famous Mitre Peak. The 70km drive traverses the Eglinton Valley, passing the Mirror Lakes, before carving through the alpine terrain at Homer Tunnel. Construction work on the tunnel began during the Great Depression, but it wasn't until 1953 that it was opened. The single-lane tunnel slopes down steeply towards the Milford end. Have a full tank of gas before you leave Te Anau, as there are no petrol stations en route, and weather conditions can make chains necessary. They are available for hire in Te Anau. Stock up on sandfly repellent, because the little critters are omnipresent at Milford Sound.
