The most worthwhile stop is the town of Te Anau, the gateway to the fjord.

💟 Because we were going to Milford Sound, and to make the journey more convenient, we stayed in the town of Te Anau for 2 nights. I originally just considered Te Anau as a transit station, but I unexpectedly fell in love with this place. 🌈 Te Anau is very small, with only one street along the lake. There are very few people in the whole town, making it particularly quiet. The streets are clean and tidy, the town is fresh and cute, and it is definitely worth a stop. There are frequent sun showers here, and rainbows can often be seen after the rain. 🏨 We stayed at [Lakeside Motel Te Anau], a lake view motel with a balcony facing Lake Te Anau. The studio has a kitchen and a separate bedroom, making it very comfortable to stay in. (Figure 4-18) 🛍️ There is a large supermarket, FreshChoice, in the town, 3 minutes’ drive from the hotel. We go there every day to buy things. 🌟 You can navigate by walking or driving📍Marakura Wharf (Pictures 1-3). The bridge is particularly photogenic at sunset, with the 🏔️ in the background, it has a Lord of the Rings atmosphere. ⚠️[Tips] 1⃣️It only takes 1.5 hours to get to Milford Sound from Te Anau, which is easier than going from Queenstown. 2⃣️You can buy the earliest boat ticket from Te Anau to Fiordland. We bought the one at 9 o'clock. Not only are there fewer people on the boat during this period, but there are also frequent discounts. I bought the Southern Explorer on Bookme for NZ$95 per person. 3⃣️Fill up the gas in Te Anau before going to the fjord. There are no gas stations along the way⛽.