Manapouri is a small town in Southland / Fiordland

Fiordland

Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys...

, in the southwest corner of the South Island

South Island

The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...

, in New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. Located at the edge of the Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park occupies the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest of the 14 national parks in New Zealand, with an area of 12,500 km², and a major part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site...

, on the eastern shore of Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri is a lake in the South Island of New Zealand. Its name is Maori for "sorrowful heart", though this name is misapplied due to an early cartographical error...

, close to its outflow into the Waiau River

Waiau River, Southland

Waiau River is the largest river in the Southland Region of New Zealand. It is the outflow of Lake Te Anau, flowing from it into Lake Manapouri 10 kilometres to the south, and from there flows south for 70 kilometres before reaching the Foveaux Strait eight kilometres south of Tuatapere...

, tourist boat

Boat

A boat is a watercraft of any size designed to float or plane, to provide passage across water. Usually this water will be inland or in protected coastal areas. However, boats such as the whaleboat were designed to be operated from a ship in an offshore environment. In naval terms, a boat is a...

 services are based in the town.

Manapouri Township is a 20 minutes drive from Te Anau

Te Anau

Te Anau is a town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and second only within New Zealand to Lake Taupo. The 2001 census recorded the town's population as 1,857...

. It is the gateway to both Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound is a very large and naturally imposing fjord in Fiordland, in the far south west of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible Milford Sound...

 and Dusky Sound

Dusky Sound

Dusky Sound is a fiord on the south west corner of New Zealand, in Fiordland National Park.-Geography:One of the most complex of the many fjords on this coast, it is also one of the largest, 40 kilometres in length and eight kilometres wide at its widest point...

 and the starting point for many local walking tracks. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly during the summer months. The massive Manapouri Power Station

Manapouri Power Station

Manapouri Power Station is an underground hydroelectric power station on the western arm of Lake Manapouri in Fiordland National Park, in the South Island of New Zealand...

 is located on West Arm of Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri is a lake in the South Island of New Zealand. Its name is Maori for "sorrowful heart", though this name is misapplied due to an early cartographical error...

, with most of the electricity generated serving the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter.

Facilities

Commercial services include a petrol station/garage, a Gallery, cafes, shops, bars as well as overnight Hotel, Motel and Motor Camp accommodation. there are several tourist boat excursions based in Manapouri to service the Fiordland Sounds to fishing charters and boat hire.

Walkways

Day Walks are the Circle Track, the Hope Arm Track, the Shallow Bay portion of the Kepler Track

Kepler Track

The Kepler Track is a circular tramping track which travels through some of the spectacular scenery on the South Island of New Zealand. The track passes through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park ranging from rocky mountain ridges to tall mossy forests, from lake shores to deep gorges....

 and the Frasers Beach Reserve walkways.

Cycleways

Supply Bay Road and the Rainbow Reach area are reasonably cycle-friendly. The Manapouri-Te Anau Cycle trail is currently still under negotiation between the Department of Conservation

Department of Conservation

Department of Conservation may refer to:* Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong* Department of Environment and Conservation * Department of Conservation * In the United States:...

 and the Fiordland Trails Trust

Fiordland Trails Trust

The FIORDLAND TRAILS TRUST, New Zealand, was formed in March 2007, and is an Organisation, with Charitable and Donee Status. The Group was set up in response to the need for a Recreational Cycleway linking the Towns of Manapouri and Te Anau, much of which has high scenic and recreational values...

.

Kayaking

The Eastern end of Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri is a lake in the South Island of New Zealand. Its name is Maori for "sorrowful heart", though this name is misapplied due to an early cartographical error...

 is possibly the best waterway in New Zealand for Kayak Exploration with 20 Islands and many Coves, Beaches, Lagoons, Waterfalls, Huts, Portages and Channels with in a days return paddled from the Manapouri Township.

Monuments

At the intersection of Highway 95 and Hillside Road is a monument to the Save Manapouri Campaign

Save Manapouri Campaign

The Save Manapouri Campaign was an environmental campaign waged between 1959 and 1972 in New Zealand to prevent the raising of the levels of lakes Manapouri and Te Anau as part of the construction of the Manapouri Power Project....

 which marks the first mass environmental movement in New Zealand History.

A natural monument, in the form of Monument Hill, lies across the lake from the township. This sharply pointed landmark beneath the Hunter Mountains

Hunter Mountains

The Hunter Mountains of Lake Manapouri New Zealand named by Surveyor James McKerrow after the Famous anatomist John Hunter. The Hunter Mountain Range covers an area between The South Arm and Hope Arm of Lake Manapouri South to the Green Lake...

 to the west on Manapouri township is a prized destination for adventurous trampers

Tramping in New Zealand

Tramping, known elsewhere as hiking or bushwalking, is a popular activity in New Zealand.Tramping is defined as a recreational activity involving walking over rough country carrying all the required food and equipment...

.

External links

• Department of Conservation - Lake Manapouri information
• Information Township of Manapouri Website