Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey stays in Te Anau, where I explore the lakeside hiking to the control gates at the source of the Waiau River, and across Te Anau town. In the afternoon I return along the track to the bird sanctuary.
Today's Journey
 |
The Quintin Mackinnon statue in Te Anau. He was the first explorer to traverse what is now the Milford Track, which I will be doing in a few days. |
 |
The calm waters of Lake Te Anau looking across to the Kepler Track which I will be starting tomorrow. |
 |
Following the paved walkway beside the lake past the town centre. The lake was formed by glaciers carving out the fiords to the left and depositing the moraine here to create a huge natural dam filled with water after the glaciers melted. |
 |
Reaching the small marina of the Te Anau Boating Club. This would be an amazing lake to explore being the second largest in New Zealand and containing freshwater fiords only found here. |
 |
Looking out across the lake from the stony beach at the end of the town. The Murchison Mountains tower on the other side. |
 |
I return through the town and follow the lake in the other direction towards the start of the Kepler Track. |
 |
A kilometre past the town I reach the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary where injured birds are cared for. This is a one of several native parakeets. |
 |
A father and son takahe. These are very rare birds thought extinct for a long time before they were rediscovered on the shores of a small remote lake hidden in the Murchison Mountains. This is an important breeding centre to re-establish the population. |
 |
A kaka (forest parrot) in the bird sanctuary. |
 |
I return to Te Anau to watch the sunset over the Jackson Peaks where I will be hiking through over the next few days. |
|
