New Zealand · TOURS IN TE ANAU

The 15 Best Te Anau Tours & Day Trips

26 tours  ·  from $19 a head

Te Anau is two hours closer to Milford than Queenstown is, and it has a glowworm cave of its own across the lake. These 15 cover both sounds and the Kepler track transfers, priced and timed.

Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour - Starting at RealNZ on Lake Te Anau
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Te Anau, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

1.Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,611 reviews · 2h 15m · from $77Our pick

Take a scenic catamaran across Lake Te Anau, then follow a guide through young limestone caves shaped by fast-flowing water. After an underground waterfall and low passages, board a small boat in total darkness to see New Zealand glowworms. Guides such as Emma and Nathan have led recent tours, with tea or coffee served afterward.

“What a great experience… I think everyone should know and experience this. Can’t describe more coziness I’d spoil it for you. Do yourself a favor. Book n experience it for yourself. Today is summer 7th Jan 2026”

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From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip - Crossing Lake Manapouri before the crowds disappear
1-Day Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Te Anau

From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

2.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,621 reviews · 7 hours · from $208

You’ll cruise Lake Manapouri, cross Wilmot Pass by coach, then spend three hours aboard the Patea Explorer in Doubtful Sound. English-speaking guides explain Fiordland’s plants, wildlife, and weather. Bring rain gear, since wet weather often creates the best waterfalls. Guides such as Tony, Corina, and Ian have earned praise for clear, good-humored commentary.

“Great day on the water. We were lucky and the water was super calm. It is very remote. We only saw 2 other boats while we were out on our 2.5 hr cruise. I will say when you get off the first ferry to take the bus over the pass the sand flys are crazy. You need layer and spray. On the boats luckily while you are moving it’s fine. Personally I liked the Milford sound cruise better. I felt like on the first half the boat moves so fast you couldn’t really take anything in until you turned around and came back, which is fine. If you are looking…”

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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau - Cascade Creek, Hollyford Valley, and Marian Cascade
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Te Anau

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

3.Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,198 reviews · from $185Top rated

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small group of up to 16, stopping at Mirror Lakes, Hollyford Valley, Marian Cascade, The Chasm, and more. Guides such as Tania, Gary, Andy, and Allan add local insight before your two-hour cruise among waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and penguins.

“Absolutely delightful and a wonderful trip up to Milford Sound. I think the drive up there and all the information we learned from Tania was as enjoyable as the boat ride itself.”

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Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour - From Cavern House to the underground river
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Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

4.Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 960 reviews · from $80

From RealNZ’s office on Te Anau’s lakefront, you’ll cruise to Cavern House, hear how glow worms live, then walk beside an underground river before boarding a small punt beneath the glowing grotto. Expect friendly guides, low cave sections, dripping water, and tea or coffee afterward.

“Awesome experience! Definitely worth seeing the glow worms while you are visiting this part of New Zealand”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise - The Fiordland road is more than a transfer
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

5.Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 868 reviews · 8 hours · from $110

Travel from Te Anau through Fiordland National Park by comfortable coach, stopping for short walks and photos before a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Guides such as Sebastian, Scarlett, and Brian are known for lively local commentary. A picnic lunch and hot drinks are included, making this an easy full-day option at $110.

“Incredible experience!!!!! One of the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Was so glad we went on a rainy day - way more dramatic and beautiful”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks - The Milford Road is part of the experience
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

6.Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 845 reviews · 1 day · from $164

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small group of up to 15 with guides such as Geoff, Olivia, Ross, and Phil. The day combines a narrated drive, short forest walks, scenic stops, a picnic lunch, and a two-hour small-boat cruise toward the Tasman Sea. Expect changing weather, waterfalls, wildlife, and a full day in Fiordland.

“From the first minute to the last everything was excellent. Olivia was a fountain of knowledge and very informative. The added stops to and from Milford Sound were a real bonus. If you are going to visit the sound use this company in Te Anau, and don't be tempted to travel all the way from Queenstown. Trips and tramps thank you for a day we will never forget.”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip - The Milford Road is part of the attraction
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

7.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 717 reviews · 7h 30m · from $136

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound with a local English-speaking guide, photo stops at Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and Monkey Creek, then take a two-hour cruise toward the Tasman Sea. The glass-roof coach helps you see the mountains overhead, while onboard food, drinks, and open decks make the cruise comfortable in changeable Fiordland weather.

“We loved the time spent on Milford Sound. Flash was the perfect guide/driver and we got to make several stops along the way to see some great views. Once on the boat we got to experience magnificent views in a very comfortable way. The price is a bit high, so are all the prices for this activity but overall worth it !”

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Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau - Homer Tunnel and the road into high country
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Te Anau, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Te Anau

Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

8.Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 712 reviews · from $192

Spend about nine hours with Trips & Tramps traveling Milford Road from Te Anau. Guides such as Jacob, Geoff, Helen, and Hari share local stories, then take you on a small-boat cruise toward the Tasman Sea, short nature walks, and photo stops. Lunch, pickup, and drop-off are included.

“Wonderful! Rohann was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable, friendly and personable. The views were amazing.”

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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness - From river speed to Lake Manapouri silence
Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Milford Sound Cruises, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Te Anau

Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

9.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127

Set out from Te Anau with Fiordland Jet for a two-hour jet boat trip on the Upper Waiau River. Your skipper, such as Alex, Jade, John, or Harry, combines fast turns and 360-degree spins with local stories, Lord of the Rings locations, trout spotting, a quiet stretch on Lake Manapouri, and a short native forest walk.

“Alex was awesome. Such a good time and informative. We really enjoyed the trip and it was well worth it :)”

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Milford Sound: Small-Group Tour from Te Anau - A small coach makes a long day easier
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Milford Sound: Small-Group Tour from Te Anau

10.Small-Group Tour from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 561 reviews · 9h 30m · from $178

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small coach with guides such as Stephen, Tania, and Sacha. Expect live commentary, home-baked morning tea, a packed lunch, forest walks, photo stops, and a smaller boat cruise where seals, dolphins, waterfalls, and Fiordland crested penguins may appear.

“Amazing day out! A lovely tour guide picked us up from the hotel in a small bus with huge windows - perfect for viewing the scenery. We stopped at lots of cool spots on the way, and the tour guide kept the commentary going along the drive with some unique stories and fantastic anecdotes. The boat tour was lovely - very quiet, good tea and coffee, gorgeous views, and we even spotted a seal! The drive back was a bit more free so we chose to stop for a trek at a waterfall, and got to see some amazing wildlife - including a rare duck. The food along the way…”

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Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri - Starting across Lake Manapouri
Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Te Anau

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

11.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 490 reviews · from $216

Travel from Manapouri across Lake Manapouri, over Wilmot Pass by coach, then cruise remote Doubtful Sound with live nature commentary. Look for fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. The day lasts about seven hours, with food and drinks available to buy and return transport included.

“It was really special! It was raining and a bit foggy in the beginning which was cool. We sat both seals and a bunch of crested penguins. After that, the rain stopped and the sun popped out. We really got to see it all.”

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From Te Anau: Doubtful Sound Coach & Cruise - Crossing Lake Manapouri
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From Te Anau: Doubtful Sound Coach & Cruise

12.Doubtful Sound Coach & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 335 reviews · 8h 30m · from $223

Spend 510 minutes reaching remote Doubtful Sound from Te Anau by coach, boat, coach, and catamaran. You will cross Lake Manapouri, travel over Wilmot Pass, and cruise the fiord for three hours with live commentary. Guides such as Tony, Chris, and Warren are known for informative, good-humored talks. Bring lunch, rain gear, and a camera.

“It was a very efficient process with very informative commentary. We had a perfect day. I would strongly recommend this trip. There is good refreshment available, and you can use your credit card; no need to take cash.”

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Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau - Crossing Lake Manapouri before the fjord
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Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

13.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 286 reviews · from $231

From Te Anau, you’ll ride a coach, cross Lake Manapouri, travel over Wilmot Pass, and cruise Doubtful Sound aboard a catamaran. RealNZ guides provide live commentary, with chances to see bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins, waterfalls, and misty peaks. The full day costs $231.47 and operates in all weather.

“Fantastic tour of Doubtful Sound! Incredible experience. Definitely get on the outside deck if you can!”

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Milford Sound Full Day Tour from Te Anau with Cruise - Lake Gunn and Knobs Flat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Te Anau

Milford Sound Full Day Tour from Te Anau with Cruise

14.Milford Sound Full Day Tour from Te Anau with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 270 reviews · from $210

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small vehicle capped at 14 people, stopping at Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, Monkey Creek, The Chasm, and more. Guides such as Murray, Nicky, and Andres add local stories and photo help. The day includes a 2.5-hour Milford Sound cruise and returns to Te Anau.

“We had the best guide ever, Murray ,who was such a passionate history and story teller about the entire route to and including Milvord Sound. Thanks again Murray it was worth every dollar !”

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Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise - From Lake Manapouri to Wilmot Pass
Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Te Anau

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

15.Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 254 reviews · from $464

Travel from Manapouri across Lake Manapouri, cross Wilmot Pass by coach, then spend about 20 hours aboard The Wanderer in Doubtful Sound. A nature guide such as Brock or Richard shares stories of the fiord, wildlife, and waterfalls. You’ll have dinner, breakfast, a cabin, kayaking opportunities, and time to swim or enjoy the stillness.

“Excellent enthusiastic helpful and amazing staff running the whole operation. Lovely boat with great food and accommodation. Proximity to awesome natural beauty has to be experienced if you possibly can.”

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New in Tours in Te Anau

★ 5.0Guided Kepler Track Heli HikeFrom $47428 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Routeburn Track Key Summit Guided Walk from Te AnauFrom $19224 reviews
★ 5.0Fiordland Heli-hike from Te AnauFrom $28619 reviews
★ 4.9Doubtful Sound: Scenic Flight with 2 LandingsFrom $63617 reviews
★ 4.830-Minute Fiordland National Park Scenic FlightFrom $23041 reviews

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