Lake Te Anau on a 1935 yacht

About this experience

The Faith is the attraction. She is a 19.7 m wooden motor-sailer built in Scotland in 1935, and Fiordland's tourism office notes she served in the Second World War, hosted Winston Churchill and has sailed around the world. Now she cruises Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island, with a small crew who look after you like guests on a private boat.

The listing gives 3 hours: a cruise out into the lake towards the entrance of the South Fiord, a guided walk of about 40 minutes ashore in Fiordland National Park (optional), and morning or afternoon tea with canapés and drinks. If conditions allow, you can help with the sails. The walk goes to small lakes in the forest; Hidden Lakes trips were what the cave's discoverers ran before they found the glowworms in 1948.

It's weather dependent, and it doesn't go to the glowworm caves, which are a separate RealNZ trip. A morning on the Faith and an evening at the caves makes a full, easy Te Anau day without any driving.

• A wooden yacht from 1935 with a wartime history
• Small groups and a crew that guests name in reviews
• A guided walk of about 40 minutes in the national park
• Tea or coffee with canapés and drinks on board
• Optional sailing when the wind allows

How the day runs

1. 10 min beforeMeet at the wharf

   The Te Anau wharf is on the waterfront behind the visitor centre, at the end of the main street.

2. Out on the lakeCruise the lake

   Head out across Lake Te Anau towards the South Fiord, with the crew's commentary.

3. About 40 minGuided walk ashore

   An optional walk through beech forest in Fiordland National Park.

4. On boardTea and canapés

   Morning or afternoon tea with canapés and drinks; dietary needs on request.

5. About 3 hours in totalBack to Te Anau

   Return to the town wharf, sails up if the wind is right.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Be at the wharf 10 minutes early. It's behind the visitor centre, at the lake end of the main street.
• Mention dietary needs when you book.
• Bring a warm layer. It's cooler on the open lake than on the shore.
• Pair a morning cruise with an evening glowworm departure for a full day on the lake.

Read next:

• Things to do in Te Anau

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

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