Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and the second largest in New Zealand. It marks the beginning of Fiordland National Park, a corner of Aotearoa so beautiful I could cry just thinking about it.

There are so many places to admire the lake, but one of the best lookout points is Te Anau Lions Lookout. Unlike other popular photo spots around Te Anau, Lions Lookout is much quieter and more peaceful. This viewpoint is a 5 minute detour off the main road in and out of Te Anau and gives stunning 360° views over the town, Lake Te Anau, and the Southern Alps. If you really want to escape the crowds, I suggest stopping here at sunrise or sunset.

How to get there

The lookout is located along Kepler Track Road, just five minutes from Te Anau town center. To get there, follow Golf Course Road towards the Fiordland Golf Club, then turn onto Kepler Track Road. There’s a small gravel pull-off area where you can park your car but no toilets.

If you don’t have time to visit Milford Sound or are looking for something off the beaten path, I recommend a trip to Patea (Doubtful Sound) instead. It’s bigger, quieter, and far less touristy than Milford. RealNZ offers a range of tours to see the area including day cruises deep into the fiords and overnight/2-night cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of waking up surrounded by misty peaks.