Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Te Anau?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Te Anau?

Most people spend one to three days in Te Anau during their visit. The breathtaking town offers amazing highlights such as the hiking, the small town charm, the gorgeous scenery, and the cuisine.

Te Anau sits on the edge of Fiordland National Park and serves as a basecamp for the park and surrounding natural areas. Visitors love the small town charm and stunning beauty that the are offers. Nearby you'll find caves, waterfalls, beech forests, and glacial valleys.

Do you have one or two days to visit Te Anau? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Te Anau?

The popular town of Te Anau has many activities and attractions for visitors. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the mountain town vibe and surrounding mountains here. You won't want to miss the chance to go hiking, explore the small town, take in the beautiful scenery, and dine out at amazing restaurants. To truly savor all that the town boasts, a longer amount of time is recommended. Many vacationers opt for one to three days to thoroughly enjoy the mountain vibe of the town. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Te Anau

Known for it's hiking, Te Anau sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

Te Anau is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, world class national parks, and spectacular views.

A few tour suggestions include:

Fiordland Jet Boat and Biking Combo from Te Anau ($138)
Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness ($114)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Te Anau?

Many visitors spend a weekend in Te Anau to take in the town and the mountain scenery, too. This is a good amount of time to see the breathtaking town's major attractions such as the hiking, the small town charm, and the gorgeous scenery. If you have a weekend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

Te Anau, New Zealand

How to spend 2 days in Te Anau

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Te Anau will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

The small-town atmosphere of Te Anau is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's a charming small town that makes a great base for exploring the area's natural beauty and outdoor wonders.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Te Anau, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.