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.