Stroll Around Lake Te Anau
by abi_maha
After a cruise on the sounds and getting back for a late lunch, we were in no mood to catch another ride to the glow worm caves. So we decided to just spend a lazy evening walking around Te Anau. After all this was the 'walking capital' of the world. We took a 30 min walk at the start of the Kepler Track. Starts at the control gates, the well-defined track follows the lakeshore passing through stands of attractive native forest. A pleasant bay with views across the lake to Te Anau. Swimming and picnic facilities available. Further on from Dock Bay, Brod Bay is another popular spot in summer for boaties and day walkers alike who enjoy its broad beach and picnic facilities. This was a nice way of spending the evening and stretching our legs after the long coach ride.
Routeburn Track
by Robmj
This is now one of the most popular tracks and while not overcrowded with trampers, you will need to book in the peak season (Nov to April) to get hut accommodation.
The track covers 32kms and starts at the Divide which is 85kms from Te Anau or it starts at the Routeburn shelter which is 25kms from Glenorchy. Most walkers do the track over 3 days and 2 nights. The routeburn is not a circular track, you need to organise transport at one end. However, you can also link into a longer trip by continuing on back down the Greenstone or Caples tracks arriving back at Lake Wakatipu just south of Kinloch and do a big loop or end up near your start point if you began at the Glenorchy end.
Transport connections can be arranged at each end (Tracknet) depending on what options are selected.
From the shelter point start, it is 6.5kms (.15-2.5 hours) to the first hut and campsite (the flats hut) and a further 2.3km (1-1.5 hours) up a stepper climb to the Falls huts (no camping). The next stretch is 11.3kms (4.5-6 hours) to the Lake McKenzie Hut and camping area. This is an alpine exposed area, so you need to be aware of the weather, it can change quickly. This section passes the superb Harris Saddle area. From here it is another 8.6km (3-4 hours) to the Lake Howden Hut and another 3.4kms out to the end of the track. From the Howden Hut is where you can connect and continue down the Greenstone or Caples tracks or continue onto the Divide on the Te Anau - Milford Road and end up about 85kms from Te Anau.
This is a very worthwhile tramp.
Control Gates at Upper Waiau River
by imstress
The Control Gates at Upper Waiau River supplies water for the Lake Manapouri hydro power station. The Waiau River links Lake Te Anau with Lake Manapouri.
It is a easy lakeside walk with mountain view and magnificant view of the lake.
You could walk right up to the control gates and have some nice pictures taken.
There is a path where it could link you back to the Wildlife Centre.
Te Anau
by zlatiq
Te Anau is a starting point for many campers or trampers; a place to stock on food and insect repellant and warm gloves/hats made of merino wool and opossum (good use of the opossum... i was told that one would get 25NZ is hits an opossum...good way to deal with the unwanted imported species). We stopped by Te Anau on the way to/back from MIlfor Sound. It came out that i didn't need the insect repellant and warm gloves...but , well people gotta make living:)
Homer Tunnel
Deer farms!
Milford Sound
The Ranch
