Te Anau has a wide range of activities to suit people of all ages, in all kinds of weather. Some of the most famous hiking/tramping trails in the world are located just a few minutes drive from Te Anau which vary in difficulty from short easy strolls, medium half day walks to the more difficult great walks which take anywhere from 1-4 days of walking through some of the most beautiful landscapes New Zealand has to offer. There are also supervised guided walks ranging from short to long walks which are ideal for people that have never hiked before.

The town centre (or nearby) hosts many activities for the rainy days from seeing the famous "Ate Whenua" shadowlands movie which takes you on a journey through the most beautiful sceneries you are ever likely to see, to visiting the glow worm caves, the department of conservation information centre or the many gift and accessory shops in Te Anau.