Manapouri

Manapouri
Manapouri township
Manapouri
Coordinates: 45°34′0″S 167°36′0″E / 45.56667°S 167.60000°E / -45.56667; 167.60000Coordinates: 45°34′0″S 167°36′0″E / 45.56667°S 167.60000°E / -45.56667; 167.60000
Country	New Zealand
Island	South Island
Region	Southland
Government
• Territorial Authority	Southland District Council
• Regional council	Southland Regional Council
Elevation	200 m (700 ft)
Population
• Total	228

Manapouri is a small town in Southland / Fiordland, in the southwest corner of the South Island, in New Zealand. The township is the westernmost municipality in New Zealand. Located at the edge of the Fiordland National Park, on the eastern shore of Lake Manapouri, close to its outflow into the Waiau River, tourist boat services are based in the town.

Manapouri township is a 20 minutes drive from Te Anau via State Highway 95. The town is the gateway to both Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound and the starting point for many local walking tracks. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly during the summer months. The Manapouri Hydroelectric Power Station is located on West Arm of Lake Manapouri, with most of the electricity generated serving the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. Workers at the power plant are ferried by boat from Manapouri, as there is no road access to the power station.

Commercial services include a petrol station/garage, art gallery, cafes, shops, two restaurant and bars as well as overnight hotel, motel and motor camp accommodations. The small Te Anau Airport is situated 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of the township and serves both Te Anau and Manapouri.

There are several tourist boat excursions based in Manapouri to service the Fiordland Sounds to fishing charters and boat hire. Excursions originating at Pearl Harbour at the southern end of Manapouri township take tourists across Lake Manapouri to view the underground hydroelectric facility, or continue on by bus over Wilmot Pass to boat tours of Doubtful Sound, adding up to a full day trip.