Discovering Manapouri
Manapouri is a quaint town situated on the edge of Fiordland National Park. It lies along the Southern Scenic Route, accessible from Monowai to the south or Te Anau to the north. The name "Manapouri" translates to "lake of the sorrowing heart," derived from a myth involving two sisters whose tears are said to have formed the lake. Although the name is Māori, it originated from a European surveyor's confusion with another lake. The local Māori names for the lake are Roto Ua, meaning "the rainy lake," and Moturau, meaning "many islands."
Exploring the Town of Manapouri
Despite its small size, Manapouri offers several accommodation options, a gas station, and a store. A charming street-front church, now a restaurant and bar, adds to the town's appeal. Nearby, the unique Two Wee Bookshops can be found at the corner of Home Street and Hillside-Manapouri Road, just a minute's walk from the church.
Manapouri's Historical Significance
Across from the church, a large grassed reserve slopes down to the lake. At the northeast end of this reserve is the Save Manapouri Memorial. This memorial commemorates the environmental campaign from 1959 to 1972, which successfully prevented the lake's level from being further raised to enhance the efficiency of the underground hydropower station at West Arm. The memorial rock marks the intended height, approximately 25 metres above the current level.
Adventure and Exploration in Manapouri
Manapouri serves as a hub for adventure and exploration. From Pearl Harbour, visitors can take a water taxi to access various walking tracks around the lake. One popular option is the Circle Track, a 6.9 km tramping loop on the south side of Pearl Harbour. For those seeking a more remote experience, a commercial boat trip to West Arm provides access to Doubtful Sound / Patea. From West Arm, a bus ride over Wilmot Pass leads to a boat trip on Doubtful Sound, offering the only realistic way to explore this remote area of Fiordland.
Scenic Walks and Trails
For a leisurely outing, the Frasers Beach Walk offers a short but scenic route from Pearl Harbour to Frasers Beach along the lakefront, returning to the town centre. Alternatively, the Lake2Lake Trail is a shared cycle track between Te Anau and Manapouri, primarily following the Waiau River.
How to Get to Manapouri
Manapouri is accessible via the Southern Scenic Route. Travellers can reach the town by heading north from Monowai or south from Te Anau. The town's location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the natural beauty of Fiordland National Park.
