DUNEDIN – TE ANAU

Driver Information
New Zealand ItinerariesTravel distance is approximately 291kms (182 miles).
Allow at least 4 hours drive time (not including stops.

Your journey today will take you from the rugged beauty of the Peninsula into the stunning mountains and fiords of Te Anau.

Deep rivers, lush farmland and nature parks are just an appetiser for what this area of the South Island has to offer.

Some notable stops along the route to Te Anau include:

LAKE WAIHOLA
This tidal freshwater lake is located half an hour south of Dunedin. This shallow lake is surrounded by wetlands, including the internationally renowned and protected Sinclair Wetlands that are home to many species of wading birds. There are plenty of walking tracks.

MILTON “THE KINK”
This rural service town has an unusual planning anomaly! Union Street is the main street, however it has a ‘kink’ in it. If you are heading North on the main street you will notice the main road moves a whole road width to the west.

HOKONUI MOONSHINE MUSEUM
Located in Gore, this unique museum celebrates the history of illicit whisky making in the southern region that stemmed from origins in Scotland. The museum’s “pre-Prohibition colonial bar” is also available for tour groups.

CROYDON AVIATION HERITAGE TRUST
Located at Mandeville Airport (on route to Gore) offers flights in vintage and classic aircrafts, including the Tiger Moth, Fox Moth and Dragonfly. Flights from 10 – 30 minutes.

TE ANAU
Lake Te Anau with its deep, serene waters is the second largest lake in New Zealand and holds top honours as the largest lake in the South Island. The Te Anau township is nestled beside this fabulous lake and provides plenty of accommodation, food, shopping and service amenities for the thousands of visitors that flock to this popular tourist location.

Te Anau boasts to having over ‘4000 beds for travellers’ so it is safe to assume you will find a hotel, motel, lodge, holiday park, backpackers, farm stay, bed & breakfast or holiday home to suit your budget! However during the peak summer season we strongly advise that you book your accommodation in advance.

Finding somewhere to eat isn’t hard in Te Anau either due to the huge choice of restaurants, bars, cafes, wine bars, bakeries and takeaway shops all located in the main township area and within easy walking distance from most accommodation.

Highly recommended Te Anau tourist attractions include…

Te Anau Golf Club – A wonderful opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful golf courses in New Zealand. This 18 hole golf course is open to visitors and boasts spectacular views of Lake Te Anau and surrounding mountains.

Quad Bike Adventure – Ride the farmland and back country of Te Anau as you navigate through mud, bush, ridges, gullies and grass paddocks – all worth it for the amazing views of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, Fiordland National Park and the surrounding countryside.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves – Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western side of the lake where your friendly guide will meet you at Cavern House and take you on an underground adventure as you explore this stunning underworld and the incandescence of thousands of tiny glowworms in the glowworm grotto.

Horse Trekking – There are two trekking companies operating in Te Anau and they both offer relaxing, scenic treks for beginner to advanced riders on safe, well mannered horses.
New Zealand Itineraries: South Island Suggested Itineraries

Our modern self-drive travel Itineraries have routes specifically for the North Island as well as the South Island, ranging from 5 to 11 days, plus there are some travel routes that take in both the North and South Island’s. Our range of travel itineraries include information regarding travel distances and time to ensure that you can make the best of your time in New Zealand, no longer how short your visit!

  • 5 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Greymouth, Greymouth – Fox Glacier, Franz Josef – Wanaka, Wanaka – Mt Cook and Mt Cook – Christchurch
  • 5 Day Itinerary (route 2): Christchurch – Hanmer Springs, Hanmer Springs – St Arnuad, St Arnuad – Blenheim, Blenheim – Kaikoura and Kaikoura – Christchurch
  • 5 Day Itinerary (route 3): Christchurch – Mt Cook, Mt Cook – Queenstown, Queenstown – Dunedin, Dunedin – Oamaru and Oamaru – Christchurch
  • 7 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Dunedin, Dunedin – Invercargill, Invercargill – Stewart Island, Stewart Island – Te-anau, Te Anau – Milford Sound, Te Anau – Queenstown and Queenstown – Christchurch
  • 8 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Greymouth, Greymouth – Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier – Wanaka, Wanaka – Queenstown, Queenstown – Te Anau, Te Anau – Dunedin and Dunedin – Christchurch
  • 9 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Dunedin, Dunedin, Dunedin – Invercragill, Invercargill – Te Anau, Te Anau Milford Sound, Te Anau – Queenstown, Queenstown – Mt Cook, Mt Cook – Lake Tekapo and Lake Tekapo – Christchurch
  • 9 Day Itinerary (route 2): Christchurch – Omarama, Omarama – Dunedin, Dunedin, Dunedin – Te Anau, Te Anau – Milford Sound, Te Anau – Queenstown, Queenstown – Haast, Haast – Greymouth and Greymouth – Christchurch
  • 9 Day Itinerary (route 3): Christchurch – Hanmer Springs, Hanmer Springs – Greymouth, Greymouth – Nelson, Nelson – Takaka, Takaka – Motueka, Motueka – Nelson, Nelson – Blenheim, Blenheim – Kaikoura and Kaikoura – Christchurch
  • 11 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Dunedin, Dunedin – Te Anau, Te Anau – Milford Sound, Milford Sound – Queenstown, Queenstown – Wanaka, Wanaka – Franz Josef, Franz Josef – Greymouth, Greymouth – Nelson, Nelson – Blenheim, Blenheim – Kaikoura and Kaikoura – Christchurch