Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 20-Breakfast & the drive to Te Anau-4/30/2024

Today we will be driving to Te Anau but before leaving Wanaka, we are going to walk to the downtown area for breakfast first.

This morning the sky was cloudy and gave the town a different look (it was sunny yesterday with the sun shining above). 

Beyond the town, the mountains rise in the distance, their peaks already dusted with fresh snow, standing out starkly against the grey sky. The mix of autumn colors and snowy summits gives the whole scene a quiet, dramatic beauty.

Walking into downtown Wānaka on a cloudy fall day with the main street lined with trees turning shades of gold and amber is simply gorgeous.

This is the garden before getting to the Wanaka Lake.

As we passed Lake Wānaka at the entrance of the park, the still water stretched out beside us, mirroring the muted sky, while in the distance the snow-covered peaks rose above the lake, completing the serene scene.

It is so peaceful here that we do not want to leave.

Panoramic view of Lake Wanaka

We sat down for a simple breakfast in town.

And then we went to the Wanaka Food Truck Park where the scenery is so beautiful.

Hoa sipping his coffee and enjoying the surrounding.

It was early so there were barely anybody around, so we just sat there for while before leaving Wanaka.

 The drive to Te Anau from Wanaka takes about 3 hours.

Driving from Wānaka to Te Anau, we stopped near the Pisa Conservation Area, where the view was absolutely breathtaking. Rolling tussock-covered hills stretched out in golden tones, with rugged ridgelines rising sharply behind them.

We stopped briefly to take a few pictures.

  From the roadside near the Pisa Conservation Area, the highway winds through rolling hills, their slopes covered in golden tussock.

Panoramic view of the area.

Beyond the rise of the hills, a lake appears in the distance, its still surface catching the light and adding a soft shimmer to the rugged landscape. The contrast of road, hills, and water makes the view feel both expansive and peaceful.

We are driving now on Kingston Road, the highway runs right beside Lake Wakatipu, its calm waters stretching alongside us. The hills rise gently on the other side with the lake and distant mountains, creating a serene scene as we continue toward Te Anau.

Lake Wakatipu is a long, narrow, glacial lake in the Otago region, famous for its dramatic scenery, with the Remarkable mountain range on the eastern shore and rolling hills along the western side.

As the road curves along Kingston Road, a series of white poles lines the edge, acting as dividers between the highway and the lake’s shoreline. They punctuate the landscape rhythmically, guiding  drivers safely along the winding route while adding a subtle visual pattern against the backdrop of hills and the water.

We arrived in Te Anau and from the road we could see Annie on Milford (our accommodation for the next 2 days), set back behind a large, neatly kept lawn.

We pulled in the parking lot and checked in our unit.  Annie's on Milford is a boutique accommodation with only 8 units that are set on spacious grounds with mountain views to the west, providing a comfortable and private setting for guests.

We got Unit 1 and the unit is really nice and spacious.

A comfortable large bed with great view of the mountains.

Dinner at the Fat Duck, Te Anau

Te Anau is a really small town but we found The Fat Duck gastropub, a standout dining spot in this small lakeside town, renowned for its elevated pub fare and warm, inviting atmosphere. Despite Te Anau's modest size, The Fat Duck has garnered national attention, earning the Supreme Award at the 2025 Top 50 New Zealand Gastropubs Awards.

The Fat Duck offers a diverse menu featuring modern New Zealand cuisine with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the Fiordland and Murihiku regions.

The gastropub features a cozy interior with a bar area offering a selection of New Zealand beers and wines.  We are starting the meal with a glass of red wine. 

I ordered the local fried white fish, served with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh ripe tomatoes and assorted vegetables.

The fish was golden and crispy on the outside, tender and flaky inside, perfectly complemented by the smooth richness of the potatoes and the juicy sweetness of the tomatoes. It was a simple yet satisfying taste of Fiordland’s fresh, local flavors.

Cheers!

Hoa ordered a steak, served with a rich brown sauce, a pat of flavorful compound butter, and crisp French fries on the side. The steak was perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, while the compound butter melted over it, adding a savory depth that complemented the hearty, golden fries. It was a classic, satisfying dish done exceptionally well.

Hoa really enjoyed his steak.

The 2 dishes we ordered for our meal.

For dessert we ordered the Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream.

It is one of their signature dessert dishes and it is so decadent, and so delicious!

We really enjoyed our meal at The Fat Duck, with every dish beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The service was equally impressive, friendly, attentive, and welcoming, which made the dining experience even more enjoyable.

NEXT... Fiordland National Park