Manapouri

Manapouri

The small township of Manapouri is situated 20km south of Te Anau and nestles itself alongside the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri.

Manapouri hosts a range of services which include a garage selling fuel, swimming pool, library, galleries, cafes, shops, bars and even a resident hairdresser. As well as a large array of accommodation,t here are several tourist excursions based here to transport people all over the lake and to our famous Doubtful Sound.

Manapouri is mostlyknown for Frasers Beach and hugely popular in the summer months. It stretches for approximately one kilometre with families swimming, fishing, boating and waterskiing, walking or just relaxing overlooking the glistening Lake Manapouri and the glorious mountains beyond.

Day walks available close by are the Fraser's Beach Reserve walkways, Circle Track, the Hope Arm Track and the Shallow Bay portion of the Kepler Track.

Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri with its 33 islands, is one of New Zealand's most beautiful with its backdrop made up of glacial mountains, rainforests and crystal blue skies. It is the 5th largest lake in New Zealand with 190km of shoreline and has four arms which are up to 10km long. It is also the second deepest lake at a maximum of 440 metres.

The Maori name for Lake Manapouri is 'sorrowful heart' though this name is misapplied due to an early cartographical error, the real Lake Manapouri was North Mavora Lake which lies further east. Local Maori called Lake Manapouri 'Moturau' which means 'many islands.' Before 'Motorau' the ancient Maori name was Roto-ua which means 'the rainy lake'.

There are a number of secluded bays and coves on Lake Manapouri which makes it probably the best boating lake in New Zealand.

Is Spring Coming to Te Anau???

Today is Saturday 17 July and look at what I have found in my garden! I guess this must mean that spring is coming or maybe its here!

Because today is Saturday and the weather was fantastic, everyone was out in their gardens pruning the roses, mulching the ground and having a general tidy up.

Everyone I have spoken to on my walk today remarked on how little snow was on the tops because of the warmth of the sun in the last few weeks (which is a shame for Queenstown but great news for us!)

The school holidays have just finished and everyone will be going home to great memories of Te Anau and our delicious spring weather!

Please note the soil in my garden - it is DRY! It has been many weeks since we have seen the rain. We just need a bit of rain for the garden, the lake and the waterfalls in Fiordland - then everyone will be happy!

Te Anau Golf Club

Yes I play golf, I play 9 holes and rather badly but.....its a great walk on one of New Zealand's most beautiful. Imagine teeing off with Lake Te Anau and the Murchison Mountains as a backdrop.............

After your game you may reward yourself with a drink from the bar at Number 19 which, incidentally, has one of the best views in the world....

Green fees are only $60 and if you are an affiliated member only $30. Golf carts, clubs and trundlers are also available so make sure you visit when in Te Anau next!

Further information available from their website http://www.teanaugolf.co.nz/

Cruise Te Anau

Last summer I took a 3 hour cruise on Lake Te Anau with Peter Kirker on the 'Carousel.' On board were four others including 2 children whom were spending a couple of days in Te Anau, taking time out after the fast pace of Queenstown.

It was a warm summer afternoon and we cruised slowly up the lake to the dome islands at the head of the South Fiord, where we took a short easy walk into the Hidden Lakes. Peter guided us on the walk explaining all the different plants and birdlife (amongst other things) that we found on the way. Once arriving at the lake we saw trout jumping making rings in the still, calm waters.

Back at the boat we enjoyed a cuppa and a muffin whilst watching the kids jump into the lake before heading home. I loved this trip, not only a fabulous afternoon in the sun but I learnt a lot and met some incredible people.

This trip is priced at only $80 per adult and only $20 per child!

Other excursions are overnight cruises, weddings, private charters, flight options and the Milford and Kepler track connections.

Contact Peter at http://www.cruiseteanau.co.nz/

The town of Te Anau is situated on the south east shore of Lake Te Anau and is 210 metres above sea level. The 2006 census recorded the population of Te Anau at 1899, however this increases dramatically in size during the summer months with over 3,000 accommodation beds at this time.

Tourism and farming are the predominant economic activities in this area.

Bordering the Fiordland National Park it is the gateway to a wilderness area famed for tramping and spectacular scenery. Many species of bird life are also found locally, notably the endangered Takahe which was rediscovered in 1948 by Dr Orbell. Today, you can see these famous birds at our wildlife park on the Te Anau - Manapouri highway.

Lake Te Anau was originally named by the Maori Te Ana-au which means 'the cave of swirling water.'

The lake covers 344km in area (65km long) which gives it the status of the largest lake in the South Island and the second largest in New Zealand. Since its maximum depth is 417m and the lake sits at 210 metres above sea level, this means that much of its bed lies beneath sea level.

Luxmore Jet - TE ANAU

Luxmore Jet is based in Te Anau, the gateway to both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
Luxmore Jet operates jet boat tours on the Upper Waiau River which flows between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri. These excursions explore the untouched wilderness of the Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage area. This tour allows you to view 3 Lord of the Rings sites of River Anduin before heading to Lake Manapouri to view the lake and the magnificent snow-capped mountains.

This is the most scenic jet boat tour I have ever done, with even spotting trout in the clear pristine waters of the Waiau River. Anyone can join this tour summer or winter (even the handrails are heated!)

Take an added bonus of a helicopter or floatplane flight to make your journey even more spectacular!

About Te Anau

Welcome to Te Anau - the gateway to Fiordland!

Fiordland is the largest national park in New Zealand at 1.2 million hectares and Te Anau is right on the doorstep of nature's wonderland!

Both Te Anau and Manapouri are the closest towns to base yourselves before exploring our paradise.............

Let me guide you through some of my special areas of Fiordland, specialising in smaller, personalised tours for the independant traveller.

My personalised advice will provide you with a unique and memorable Fiordland experience. My speciality is the smaller operators based in Te Anau who will give you the best of Fiordland but I can also help you plan the tour of your choice, advising you of my experiences that you cannot get travelling with a guide book or on a packaged tour.

I have lived in Fiordland all my life and have worked in the Te Anau tourism industry since 1980. Please feel free to contact me!

Sue Chartres