Manapouri Scenic Highlights

Manapouri | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake Manapouri, Manapouri is surrounded by a wide range of awe-inspiring attractions including the Fiordland National Park.

Manapouri Scenic Highlights Overview

Twenty minutes from Te Anau is picturesque Manapouri, nestled on the shores of a beautiful lake framed by the spectacular Cathedral Mountains.

Pearl Harbour, adjacent to Manapouri township, is the gateway to the variety of excursions undertaken on Lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound. Launch trips on Doubtful Sound begin with a launch trip across Lake Manapouri to West Arm, a visit to the West Arm underground power station, and a bus trip over the majestic Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove.

Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri has been described as the most beautiful lake in New Zealand. It is surrounded by towering often snow-capped mountains and cuts deep into the wild untamed wilderness of Fiordland. The long shore line is full of natural sand beaches. Scores of islands dot the lake indeed one of the Māori names for the lake was "Moturau" - "Hundred Islands".

Lake Manapouri is pristine, clear and untouched. It is surrounded by a network of bush walking tracks, most notably the famous Kepler track that comes down from Te Anau to Manapouri.

The lake is fed with scores of wild mountain streams gushing into the lake and cascading off the rugged mountains. Waterfalls are visible from the lake or accessible by a short walks.

For the most part few boats and tourists are present on the lake, meaning that the tranquillity is undisturbed and yours to enjoy in peace. And even if there is a large amount of boats on the lake, the lake is so large with so many lake arms, bays, peninsulas and coves that it is always possible to find an inviting deserted beech.

Lake Manapouri is just one of many magnificent Fiordland lakes and can serve as a base to explore the greater area. From here one can explore Lake Te Anau and Lake Monowai each a relatively short drive away each spectacular, alternatively explore an iconic New Zealand tussock wilderness, or visit another of the many unforgettable sights such as the Wairu and Mavora Rivers.

Those who have come to know this extraordinary lake value greatly the seclusion and pristine scenery to be found in its many arms and bays.

Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound
Fiordland National Park
Photographer: Bob McCree
(www.bobmccreephotos.co.nz)

Normally to get to equally stunning Doubtful Sound one normally crosses Lake Manapouri on one of the cruise boats and then disembarks at the Manapouri power station. A bus then drives passengers through the PowerStation, down through a steep tunnel cut through the mountain range separating the lake with the sound.

Once the bus has emerged on the other side it then crosses over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove an inlet of Doubtful Sound. Tourists then embark on another cruise through the spectacular Doubtful Sound and out to the mouth of the fiord and back again.

The sheer beauty and magnificence of the scenery bewilders even the most travelled of tourists.