Te Anau Community - Reaching out when needed

I started this blog initially to speak out about all the exciting activities one can do in Te Anau, to help spread the fact that we are a destination that tourists would love to come to.............but.........

Over the past couple of weeks I have experienced the 'other' side of our wonderful town Te Anau that has nothing to do with tourism. We are an amazing community and our local people are the heart and soul of this town. Two very well known local ladies (whom, incidentally, were friends) have recently died, everyone has sprung into action, there's practical and emotional support from every network possible.

Here are a few examples:

• Sheets kindly donated to the families from our local laundry - these are to put on the bed, take off, throw them in a bag and let someone clean them once the family has gone
  
• There's food for Africa from neighbours, friends, the home help, the Mayor, some from people the family don't even know!
  
• The next door neighbour gave up their crib (batch) for the family to use for as long as needed.
  
• A doctor (whom was away at the time of the patient's passing) visited the family the following week
  
  

So....if you are thinking about moving somewhere where you know you will be accepted as part of a loving community of approximately 3000 , and an amazing support network......... then Te Anau is the place for you.

Spring is Here in Te Anau!

I woke up a couple of mornings ago and thought "Is this going to be the day?" The fog was drifting over Mt Luxmoor and the lake with a few glimpses of blue hovering down the south fiord and half way up the Murchisons....by the afternoon it just may happen.......and it did.......the photos give it away but my bright yellow daffodils have opened. The jonquils have been around for over a month now but this is really exciting.

There are a few exciting things going on in Te Anau at the moment.

1. Our new medical centre is built and now fast on track for its opening next month.

2. The 2010 StabiCraft Yamaha Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic committee is busy working hard on this year's event at Labour Weekend...so anyone thinking of coming, book now, it looks to be an even bigger event than last year with some amazing prizes including...a StabiCraft boat! http://www.teanauevents.co.nz/ for further information.

3. Anchorage Motel has been nominated for this year's NZ Tourism Awards - congrats to them for being nominated - this is HUGE!

4. The Te Anau harness racing will be held this year on Saturday 15 January so keep this date in mind also....further info at http://www.teanauevents.co.nz/

This is only a token of what is happening in Te Anau. Check out my About Te Anau facebook page for a list of events or go to the Fiordland Advocate http://www.fiordlandadvocate.co.nz/

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