Lake Te Anau Family Holiday Adventure Guide

The Southern Lakes are an amazing summer playground and each one has a special character all its own. At Outside Sports we’re fortunate to have stores at four of them, so we know them very well. In this series of four guides for adventure loving families we’ll cover the highlights of each of these spectacular lakes. We’ll start from our southern-most lake Te Anau and make our way north to Tekapo.  

Most people think of Lake Te Anau just as the jumping off point for the Milford and Kelper track, but it’s actually a brilliant outdoor adventure spot in its own right.  

To the west we have the extremely rugged and dramatic Fiordland Mountains and to the east there’s gently rolling farmland and hill country.  

With a surface area of 344 km² and 65 km end to end, Lake Te Anau is really big – in fact it’s the second largest lake in all of New Zealand after Lake Taupō in the North Island. However its origins are completely different. Lake Te Anau is a glacial lake rather than the result of one of the largest volcanic explosions ever! Lake Te Anau carved out of the landscape by a retreating glacier during the ice age 20,000 years ago. As well as big it’s also very deep! Up to 420 metres deep, which means most of it is well below sea level. An interesting fact is the Lake Te Anau has three fiords within it – the only fiords in New Zealand that aren’t open to the sea. Most of the lake lies within Fiordland National Park and the pristine Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area - and you can't get better than that!

The town of Te Anau is at the southern tip of the lake.

Te Anau is perfect for a huge array of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and biking. At Outside Sports Te Anau we have everything you need to make the most of it. 

Here is a list of the most populr, family friendly activities at Te Anau - as you can see there's no shortage!

Enjoy a cruise along the flat, scenic path beside the lake which is perfect for bikes, scooters, prams, and easy walks in any weather. 

This is a 20-30 min easy climb from town that rewards you with great views of Te Anau and the lake. 

Want to have a family picnic? Look no further that Ivon Wilson Park which is large, open park with walking trails, duck ponds, and bike tracks. 

See takahē, kākā, and other rare native birds. Entry is free. 

Young children love this playground in an amazing location. 

Hire a kayak in town and enjoy an easy paddle in sheltered bays nearby 

To get an idea of the scale of the lake and see the spectacular surrounding landscape from a different perspective join a scenic cruise. 

This an awesome activity for all the family that starts with a trip across the lake followed by a guided cave walk to see the glowworms. 

The Kepler draws people from all over the world, but you can do parts of it in family-friendly sections. Control Gates to Lakeview Lookout is a 3.5km round trip which takes 1–1.5 hrs and is suitable for buggies, and Control Gates to Rainbow Reach which is an easy, mostly flat walk of 20kms there and back. 

Ramp up the adrenalin factor with a high spin blast on the Waiau River. 

Get a fascinating insight into life in the lake and see trout and eels up close. 

Te Anau has dark skies and easy lake access. On clear nights you’ll get amazing views of the stars. 

This popular gravel trail is an easy ride from Te Anau to Manapouri. It’s suitable for older kids and e-bikes. Need a bike? No worries. We have a range of premium quality hire bikes ready to go at Outside Sports Te Anau. 

Find out what is like to be a pioneer with on a guided trek. The friendly, docile horses are suitable for beginners and families. 

Low key, fun options in and very near town. 

At Milford you’ll find short nature tracks, the Mirror Lakes, and the opportunity to take a cruise on the world-famous Milford Sound. 

Manapouri is only 10 minutes away and has a choice of short nature trails that a perfect for families. 

Our store in Te Anau is a local institution. We’ve been outfitting visiting families, hikers, and lake enthusiasts since the 80’s from our large premises in the Town Centre. 

See us for outdoor and adventure apparel from the world’s top brands like Arc’teryx, Patagonia, The North Face, Icebreaker and many more. 

We also have Te Anau’s best selection of hiking and running footwear plus hiking gear, tents and sleep systems. 

If you’re getting out on the lake for fun with your watercraft or to do a spot of fishing, we can help you with both of those activities too.