• Discover Fiordland

Fiordland National Park is one of the most stunning regions of New Zealand. With glacier-carved fjords, towering peaks and lush native forest, make sure you allocate plenty of time in your itinerary to explore this World Heritage wonder.

Please note: From 1 June 2023, the car parking charges in Milford Sound will be $10 per hour. 

Te Anau – Your gateway to Fiordland

Our home of Te Anau is your gateway to Fiordland and the perfect location to base yourself from. Te Anau is a beautiful location in its own right, with a multitude of experiences on offer including glow worm caves, nature hikes, lake cruises and more. If you are short on time, picking up a scenic helicopter or plane ride from Te Anau over the National Park will open up some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world to you.

Experience the best that Fiordland has to offer. Our carefully curated packages focus on what our guests enjoy most, from exploring Milford Sound, to experiencing New Zealand’s most famous Great Walks.

Lake Te Anau, Te Anau

Visit beautiful Lake Te Anau

What Makes Fiordland Unforgettable

Milford Sound

Easily accessible by road from Te Anau, Milford Sound is the most recognisable destination in Fiordland. The journey in on the Milford Sound Road is unforgettable, with a number of short walks dotted along the drive including to the Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn and the Chasm offering easy exploration from your vehicle.

The best way to appreciate the natural majesty of Milford Sound is from the water. Whether you choose once of the cruise options available, or explore with one of the kayak operators, the towering Mitre Peak and crashing Stirling Waterfall (among many others depending on the time of year) will be a highlight of your trip.

Our Finest of Fiordland and Milford Coach & Cruise packages both take you to this wonderful region, including guided tours and a scenic 2-hour boat cruise.

The Starry Night Sky and Radfords

The countryside around Te Anau, especially along the road to Milford Sound has some of the starriest skies in the world. From the very many vantage points along the Milford road and also the road to Manapouri you can look up and enjoy the most spectacular views of the curve of our galaxy – the Milky Way. In addition, on any clear night you will be able to view the amazing dwarf galaxies of the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud plus the globular clusters of Omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae. And remember, the Southern Cross is also always out there somewhere, and at the right time of year Matariki too.
To make spotting these amazing objects easier, the staff at Radfords are able to provide you with ‘Star Charts’ and a ‘planisphere’ and will give you simple instructions on how to use them. Staff can also advise you on the very best places for viewing. Seeing the universe in all its glory, with the naked eye alone, is a true wonder but if you want a closer look at some of these special objects Radfords also have binoculars for you to use to bring them even closer. A visiting astronomer who recently stayed at Radfords said: “This region has the very best views of the night sky I have seen anywhere in any place I have visited!”. So… the next time you visit Radfords expect to look up and enjoy a very special experience too!

Radfords on the lake Stargazing

Credit: @digitaltravelcouple

Doubtful Sound

For those with some more time and a spirit of adventure, the trip to Doubtful Sound is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Less accessible than Milford, you will need to take a boat across Lake Manapouri, along with a bus through thick native forest before you find yourself at the fiord.

Exploring Doubtful Sound by cruise or kayak – with overnight cruises available – will instantly transport you back to New Zealand’s quiet, unpopulated history.

Don’t miss out of this uniquely New Zealand destination with our Finest of Fiordland and Doubtful Sound packages

New Zealand Great Walks

Fiordland is home to three of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Kepler, Milford, and Routeburn tracks. Keen hikers will want to cover the entirety of the multi-day hikes, booking huts or campsites along the way. You will be treated to some of the most incredible natural beauty that New Zealand has to offer.

Both the Milford and Kepler tracks start at Te Anau, while the Routeburn Track is a little further away, starting at either the Routeburn Shelter at the top of Lake Wakatipu or from The Divide, 85km northwest of Te Anau.

For those looking for more of a ‘taste’ of each, will find that day trips on each track will be more to their liking. Our Three Great Walks package offers guided day trips of each of the tracks, including a helicopter flight for the Kepler Track.

Bike Trails

Te Anau and nearby Manapouri are home to kilometres of gentle, lakeside biking trails. The cycle trails are perfect for cyclists of all ages and abilities. The 28km Lake2Lake Cycle Trail from Lake Te Anau to Lake Manapouri has various access points along the way, so you’ll discover all the unique lakeside spots to enjoy during your ride. You can ride alongside the Manapouri-Te Anau Highway between Balloon Loop Road and Supply Bay Road to reach Lake Manapouri.

For a more relaxed ride along the Lake Te Anau harbour, follow the Upukerora Trail to reach the Upukerora River. You can access the Lake2Lake Trail by riding back into town and heading toward the DOC Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. At Radfords on the Lake, we have two mountain bikes on-site, free to our guests to use. Plus, there are plenty of cycle hire operators in town with a selection of regular and e-bikes for hire. If you’re bringing your own wheels, we offer secure bike storage as well as e-bike charging facilities.

Tracknet: Fiordland’s Track and Transport Specialists for over 30 years

Tracknet offer reliable daily scheduled passenger bus & coach services to and from many of the most beautiful areas of the Southern South Island during the summer season and on demand departures during the winter season.

Tracknet bus services travel each day between Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound & Invercargill. Regular services connect to Southern New Zealand’s walking tracks including the Milford, Routeburn, Kepler, Hollyford, Greenstone & Caples Tracks.

Easyhike

Making your Fiordland Great Walk easier.

There’s a lot of planning needed to get you to the track and get back. Finding the best options for you and your group can be difficult. The team at Easyhike get that. In fact, that’s where they specialise.

From simple, secure and flexible car relocation, quality gear hire and tasty food packages, through to independent and cost-effective, convenient transport packages, they offer a range of services to get you to the track and back.

Their team will be with you throughout your planning and your journey and dedicated to making sure you have the best experience possible.

Bucket-list scenic flights

You can’t beat seeing this World Heritage wonderland from the sky. There’s nothing like viewing the hanging valley of Campbell’s Kingdom, suspended high amidst the rocky outcrops of Doubtful Sound, from the clouds. Or, enjoying a picnic alongside famous Lake Quill, perched high above Milford Sound. A unique option is to combine air, land and lake with a Fiordland Heli-Hike: Soar over Lake Te Anau to land on Mount Luxmore, hike downhill along the Kepler Track, then enjoy a short boat cruise across the lake and back to town.

Our friends at Southern Lakes Helicopters offer incredible, highly recommended Fiordland scenic flights that promise to ‘knock your socks off’ – that’s kiwi-speak for ‘truly unforgettable.’

Unique Fiordland activities

Ata Whenua – Fiordland Cinema This film isn’t your average movie: It’s a rich cinematic journey through Fiordland’s most beautiful, remote and untouched landscapes. Filmed mostly from a helicopter, it offers rare insight into the region’s historical and natural wonders.
Fiordland historic sailing cruise Explore Lake Te Anau via the beautiful, historic sailing ship ‘Faith in Fiordland’. Includes delicious, locally-sourced canapés, NZ wines and a passionate kiwi crew – a unique local activity that comes highly recommended.
Fiordland Jet An exciting wilderness jet boat ride alongside Fiordland National Park. Stunning views and Lord of the Rings filming locations.
Bike Fiordland Embrace remote Fiordland countryside and explore via bike on scenic cycle trails or via 4WD guided tour.

Te Anau amenities

A beautiful meal, snack or coffee isn’t hard to find in Te Anau. Here are some of our favourite local cafes and restaurants.
Redcliff Café & Bar Set in an early settlers cottage, this is a great place for delicious, locally-sourced New Zealand style-food. Open Lunch & Dinner.
The Fat Duck A delicious Gastropub located in the heart of Te Anau. New Zealand beer, wine and hearty pub classics like Lamb Shanks goes down a treat. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Black Dog Bar Adjacent to Fiordland Cinema is the luxurious Black Dog Bar. Great for beer, wine and platters in front of the fire.
Sandfly Café A cosy corner café great for breakfast or lunch, with superb coffee.
Ditto NZ Asian-inspired street fare for a great dine in experience and takeaway options.

Fiordland Itineraries

Southern Scenic Route

Take the scenic journey between Queenstown and Dunedin through 610 kilometers of deserted beaches, lush rainforest, pristine lakes and stunning mountain vistas. Check out our Southern Scenic Route Itinerary for inspiration for your next journey through the South.

 

Te Anau Map Download

Spending the day around Te Anau and want to explore the main town centre?

Download this map and take a wander through Te Anau’s town centre and check out the local shops and grab a bite at one of the cafes. Why not check out Lake Te Anau for views of the lake surrounded by the epic mountains. Enjoy the fresh air and soak up the atmosphere of our small picturesque town.

Download here

  • Radfords on the Lake is not just a hotel, it is a home away from home. Kerri is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She loves her hotel, her town and everything around Te Anau. The room itself is nicely equipped with everything you need. A big bed, a nice kitchenette and a functional bathroom with a shower. Radfords is located right at the lake, within walking distance to the centre of town, the shops and restaurants. This is the place to stay if you want to relax and enjoy the area!
    Wala69 – July 2024  Read Reviews
  • Incredible property with lake views, excellent service. Radfords on the Lake was one of the best small hotels we’ve ever enjoyed during our world travels! We visited Te Anau to be able to see Milford Sound. The hotel has a prime spot on the lake and offers beautiful views, as well as excellent accommodations. Upon checking in Kerri was warm and knowledgeable, providing recommendations on local dining / things to do - we enjoyed the Fiordland Cinema, Black Dog Bar, Sandfly Cafe, and Lakefront Cafe thanks to her guidance. She recommended several stops along the drive to Milford Sound for the views and she was spot on with all her recommendations. We had the best drive based on her list of must do stops! On top of that the hotel is in pristine condition and clearly shows pride of ownership. We were offered an upgraded room facing the lake which was well stocked and well maintained. From the bedding to the furnishings and appliances, it is clear that the owners put a lot of work into making their hotel high end despite the small size of the property. The washer and dryer on-site was fast and easy to use. Out of all our travels…this is one place where we felt welcomed like old friends! Excellent value for the stay we enjoyed.
    colleen_cc – 2024  Read Reviews
  • Highly recommended to stay in this place if you visit Te Anau. Very cleaned, Modern, and beautiful accommodations. Very quiet and beautiful view. It’s really good for relaxing. Kerri is very helpful and friendly.
    Phetnara – September 2024  Read Reviews
  • This place was phenomenal!! Wonderfully situated on the lake with an ideal view and convenient (walking distance) to literally everything. Clean, comfy, and well-appointed. An excellent hostess who gave wonderful advice, booked all experiences, made reservations for dinner, you name it; this cannot be under-rated, as the weather conditions change rapidly in Fjordland and having someone who can help with bookings, advice, and changes of plans was immeasurably helpful! The little touches were amazing - water on hand to refill bottles, great laundry facilities, ease of parking, etc...Cannot recommend this place highly enough!
    Ronald – September 2024  Read Reviews
  • A lovely apartment style Lodging... looked very new and was immaculate. Spacious, not over the top fancy, but very nicely decorated and top tier linens. One of the better places we've stayed in several weeks across NZ, beating out some 5 star places. Lovely view of the lake.
    Susan – September 2024  Read Reviews

Our Environmental Promise

We are committed to preserving our beautiful surroundings and reducing our footprint on the environment.

#Radfordsonthelake

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL IMAGES WITH US

Chief welcoming officer Dexter Dude ready to greet guests to Radfords on the Lake.
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Sometimes you just need to stop and take a moment to enjoy the view. . . and it doesn't get much better than the views from our Premier Lakeview Studio units 😍😍😍
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
We're still on a high after we were awarded Best Motel at the Hospitality New Zealand Business Awards 2024! This prestigious recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence and the high standards we strive to achieve in hospitality. We couldn't have done it without our amazing guests so a big thank you from us to all of the amazing visitors we have hosted over the years. 

Link in our bio for the full story.
Steve and I are immensely honored to receive the award for Best Motel in our industry. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We extend our appreciation to @seekom_ for sponsoring this award and to @hospitalitynz for organizing such a fantastic event that celebrates the best in hospitality.
Did you know that Fiordland is a great place to explore the night sky? There are some great spots along the Milford Road perfect for some stargazing. Chat to our team before you head off and we can provide you with ‘Star Charts’ and a ‘planisphere’ and instructions on how to use them. Along with binoculars so you can get a closer look. 
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
The last of the winter light over Lake Te Anau captured beautifully from the front of Radfords on the Lake by @travelnewzealandwithme 
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Did you know that last winter we completed new fit-outs to all the kitchens in all our units? This included adding dishwashers and coffee pod machines. The kitchens now have a modern finish with a contemporary feel. 

Every year we set out to refurbish or improve an area of the property ensuring we are always providing the highest quality accommodation to our guests.
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
Are you planning your next winter escape in Fiordland. Once you book your accommodation with us make sure you book in dinner in one of the many delicious Te Anau restaurants. If you're not sure where to go, click the link in our bio to see some of few of our favourites.
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#fiordland #fiordlandnz #lovefiordland #fiordlandbeyondbelief #radfordsonthelake
#fiordland #fiordlandnationalpark #fiordlandnz #nz #destinationnz #milfordsound #laketeanau #teanau #doubtfulsound #nzmustdo #southislandnz #southisland #newzealand #purenewzealand #purenz #newzealandguide #newzealandvacations #newzealandtravel #dosomethingnewnz #mysouthland #southland
We received this wonderful review recently from a lovely guest while we (Kerri and Steve) were away on holiday. With Kylie in charge in our absence, we always know Radfords is in good hands. Kylie looks after Radfords like it's her own and we couldn't appreciate her more for her unwavering dedication and hard work. We love having Kylie on our team and our guests love her too.
Last month we celebrated the amazing Jeanette, an integral member of our team for the last 10 years and long term friend of Kerri's. A team player with the highest standards and an all round bloody good person. Radfords on the Lake would not be the same without her. Jeanette keeps the team in high spirits with her great sense of humour, we're a better team with her on it. Never one to say no to a glass or two of Merlot with some chips and kiwi onion dip after a long day. Jeanette, we want to say a huge thank you for all your hard work over the years, we appreciate you so much. We look forward to many more years together at Radfords on the Lake.
As the sun goes down on another year, we would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you too all our lovely guests who visited us over the last year. We love sharing  beautiful Te Anau with so many people from near and far. We can't wait to welcome many more visitors in 2024. 

Wishing you all a happy and healthy new from Kerri, Steve, Shelley, Katie and all the team at Radfords on the Lake.