Te Anau: Lake Te Anau is the South
Island’s largest lake and shows considerable contrast between
the dense forest of the western shore and the sparser cover of the east
– for which a difference in rainfall is responsible. Te Anau is
a glacier lake. Its outflow, the Waiau River, is controlled as part
of the Manapouri power scheme as it flows into Lake Manapouri.
Te Anau is the ideal base from which to explore Milford and Doubtful
Sounds; it is a holiday resort with amenities for visitors including
the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and Museum. It is known as
the Walking Capital of the world – the Milford, Hollyford, Routeburn,
Greenstone, Caples, Kepler and remote and difficult Dusky Track (as
well as several other excellent walks) are all nearby.
The Te Anau Glow-worm Caves, famous for their beautiful water-formed
sculpture and magical glow-worms, lie across the lake. Swimming, water
skiing and boating at Blue Gum Point, trout and salmon fishing, float
plane and helicopter flights, kayaking, lake trips, mountain biking,
horse trekking, underground trout observatory, the Wildlife Bird Reserve,
Ivon Wilson Park, and yachting are also attractions. Milford is two
hours’ drive from Te Anau, and Manapouri is just a 20-minute drive
away.
Fiordland National Park: Most people who venture
into this corner of the world go the extra distance to visit Fiordland
National Park. Over millions of years, glaciers carved the most southern
portion of the west coast into 14 fiords. The majority of the fiords
are accessible only by water, but you can drive to Milford Sound. Lakes
Te Anau and Manapouri were also created by glacial action during the
last ice ages; the towns on their shores are popular bases for travellers.
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