Manapouri

Manapouri lies on the shores of Lake Manapouri, where the Waiau River flows out of the lake. Water and forest shape the experiences on offer: Doubtful Sound day cruises depart from Pearl Harbour, and several tracks start or end there.

Boat trips from Manapouri

A Doubtful Sound day cruise begins at Pearl Harbour on Lake Manapouri. Transport across the lake is included in the ticket; the crossing can take up to an hour. Another option is RealNZ’s Doubtful Sound overnight cruise: it departs from the shores of Lake Manapouri, travels by catamaran to West Arm, and then continues by coach over Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. The two options described therefore differ in their routes and in that one is offered as an overnight cruise.

Manapouri also serves as a starting point for trips to Dusky Sound. If you are combining your journey with one of these sound excursions, the RealNZ Manapouri Visitor Centre provides a convenient place to get your bearings: it is at 64 Waiau Street.

Tracks through forest and along the lake

The Pearl Harbour Return via Circle Track is a half-day walk through beech forest to a viewpoint overlooking the lake. It starts and ends at Pearl Harbour in Manapouri. Robins, tomtits, tūī and bellbirds are abundant in the mixed beech and podocarp forest along Circle Track. This walk combines a forest route with a destination offering views across Lake Manapouri.

The Pearl Harbour to Back Valley Hut Track also starts and ends at Pearl Harbour. It passes through beech forest to Back Valley Hut, with the option of taking a detour to peaceful Lake Rakatu. When planning your day, the hut is not the only destination to consider: you can also include the detour to the lake. Another track starts or ends at Pearl Harbour or at the road access north of Manapouri. There, you can choose between an easy beach walk and a track running parallel to the beach with views of Fiordland National Park.

The short Stockyard Cove Track is in Hope Arm of Lake Manapouri. It leads either to West Beach or to the waterfalls above the cove, and is accessible by boat or kayak. Pearl Harbour provides access to the waters of Lake Manapouri for kayaking; kayaking is also mentioned as a possible water activity in Manapouri.

A different perspective on the lakes

If you prefer cycling, you can include the Lake2Lake Trail in your travel plans: the 28 km cycling route runs in one direction and connects Lake Te Anau with Lake Manapouri. This is a different way to make the two lakes the focus of an outing than taking a walk that starts and ends at Pearl Harbour.

The story behind the town’s name also gives Manapouri a distinct cultural dimension. The Māori name Manapōuri translates as “lake of the sorrowing heart” and is linked to the story of two sisters whose tears formed the lake. Nearby, Home Creek meanders naturally and drains into the Waiau River.

More local pages: Milford Sound, Lumsden, Papatotara, Te Anau Downs, Winton, Mossburn, The Key, Athol.

For the broader travel overview: Southland District.