Te Anau

Te Anau has a cool, temperate climate with the best weather for sightseeing and walking being in the summer between November and February.

The coldest and wettest months are from May to August. However, rainfall is lower in Te Anau than elsewhere in Fiordland due to the effects of the surrounding mountains. You can visit Te Anau at any time of year although the main attraction is the nearby walks, namely the Milford Track, and this remains fairly inaccessible after May due to heavy snowfall over its passes. Average temperatures in Te Anau are: 12°C in the spring (September to October), with fresh mornings and warm days; 25°C in the summer (November to February), hot days and warm nights; 20°C in autumn (March and April), balmy days and cooler nights; and 7°C in the winter (May to August), bracing days and cold nights. For those who hire cars, beware of the Milford road around winter time when avalanches regularly cause havoc across parts of the route. The Milford road is constantly monitored for its avalanches, and is closed for driver safety if conditions get too rough.