Te Anau township is located on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the second largest lake in New Zealand.

With a permanent population of only 3500, this number can exceed 10,000 in the summer months when visitors come to enjoy the lake and scenery in the sunshine.

Te Anau is also known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park, the largest and most rugged park in New Zealand.

Activities in the area range from those that suit thrill seekers, with skydiving and jet boating on offer, or for those who enjoy a more leisurely pursuit such as cruising on the lake or fiords, or walking in the spectacular Fiordland National Park.

Milford Sound and Doubtful Sounds are a must see and are a major draw card for visitors to the area.

Milford Sound is just a 2 hour drive from Te Anau, travelling through pristine rainforest, past a myriad of lakes and rivers, and over mountain ranges to arrive at your destination.

Although not as large as Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound will take your breath away with its towering mountains and amazing waterfalls.

You can drive yourself, or take a coach so you can concentrate on the scenery and be shown all of the scenic stops along the way.

To fully appreciate Milford Sound a cruise or kayak tour is highly recommended.

You may even see dolphins, seals or penguins in this unique environment.

With over seven metres of rain per annum, don't be put off if the forecast is for rain - seeing the sheer volume of water running down the treeless cliffs could be the most incredible thing you have ever seen.

Doubtful Sound, otherwise known as the 'Sound of Silence, is very remote and visitors must take a day or overnight tour to get there - and it's worth it!

Your journey begins with a cruise over the stunning Lake Manapouri where you travel to West Arm power station.

Then it's by bus over the Wilmot Pass and down into the Deep Cove, where your cruise or kayak tour on Doubtful Sound begins.

Being three times longer than Milford Sound and with its many arms reaching outwardly from it - there is a lot to see around every corner.

It could be said that Doubtful Sounds is less dramatic than Milford Sound, and more subdued in a way, but once you experience ' The Sound of Silence' you will never forget it.

Te Anau is the perfect base point for many walking tracks in Fiordland National Park, such as the Milford, Kepler, Routeburn, Hollyford and Greenstone tracks.

There are superrmarkets in Te Anau to stock up stores, parking areas for your car while you are away and tramping gear hire stores to help you get prepared for your time off from civilisation.

To make the most of your time in Te Anau, Alpine View Motel staff are happy to make reservations for the following activities in and around the Fiordland area:

• Milford Sound day or overnight cruises
• Doubtful Sound day or overnight cruises
• Glow Worm caves tours
• Jetboating
• Kayaking
• Horse Riding
• Day walks on the Milford Track
• 4-Wheel drive motorbike tours
• Skydiving
• Helicopter and fixed wing flights
• Guided Fishing
• Transport to and from the walking tracks

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