Trout Observatory
Trout Observatory
3
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3.0
21 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
2
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
9
Teiva Cathy M
9 contributions
Feb 2021
We descended through the dark concrete stairs very dubiously. It was dark down the bottom and resembles a dodgy public toilet at night. Through the turnstiles it is painted a dark turquoise colour, the lights are gone ... like not just not working but they have been removed. It all adds to the dark and dingy look.
There were 3 sad looking fish in a glass case and at the end of the concrete bunker there was a tiny tank with a tiny crayfish thing about 2 inches long. Looked like he was tapping at the glass hoping to be rescued from the dungeon.
Altogether a giant waste of $2 and I would rather see the fish get freed from the tank and give my coin to someone in Te Anau to keep their business afloat
There were 3 sad looking fish in a glass case and at the end of the concrete bunker there was a tiny tank with a tiny crayfish thing about 2 inches long. Looked like he was tapping at the glass hoping to be rescued from the dungeon.
Altogether a giant waste of $2 and I would rather see the fish get freed from the tank and give my coin to someone in Te Anau to keep their business afloat
Written 21 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnny
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
Came here by a recommendation from a friend, after a really hard couple of years after loosing all my family through covid and becoming homeless living of banana peels, I was graciously given a $2 coin and told of a magical place that would change my life forever. I decided to make the decision to leave my cardboard box under London Bridge and booked a first class flight to New Zealand in hope to find a new meaning to my existence. I found the welcoming entrance after 6 days of walking and entered.
The pure magic of this place was truly amazing. It was as if all 5 of my senses were fully awakened for the first time. I understood what the Buddha felt when he was became enlightened and left after several days with a new perspective.
Would definitely recommend!
The pure magic of this place was truly amazing. It was as if all 5 of my senses were fully awakened for the first time. I understood what the Buddha felt when he was became enlightened and left after several days with a new perspective.
Would definitely recommend!
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy Shrimpson
Shrivenham, UK9 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Our initial instinct was to not descend into the trout dungeon and I wish we had trusted that instinct. Four dollars poorer, we barged our way through the turnstile like cattle to the slaughter, with a genuine concern that we would be trapped inside. Fortunately we were able to escape out the other side, but I did feel for the poor, doomed trout who were not similarly privileged.
Written 6 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie Lovatt
10 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Worst part of the trip so far. Absolutely dismal place to visit, the reviews on google are very obviously a joke which is well and good until people actually have somewhat positive expectations of this place. Firstly you pay $2 to enter a damp, unclean and dodgy underground tank that is very obviously too small and boring for the poor trout. We then proceeded to pay $2.50 for the food in hope that would improve the experience. Nope it just debited the money from my card as I followed the QR code instructions and the food was never released. Finally, we exited realising you could enter through the exit without paying and wasting your money on a poor experience.
Written 2 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean H
6 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
This experience was extremely underwhelming. The sute made it sound great, but the venue was 10 meters long at best and takes 1 minute to see everything. There were only about 6 fish altogether, and family of 14 was very disappointed. Even though it was cheap, it is not worth the journey.
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cowgirlNZ
nz347 contributions
Feb 2020
Hated this place which is nothing more than a concrete bunker with a glass walled tank albeit it with moving water for three poor smaller rainbow trout and one much larger brown trout. No vegetation at all for the fish to swim amongst. The big trout didn't even move other than its fins and eyes, as it had no room. Reminded me of the bad old days of zoos in the 70's where the animals had concrete cages holes with bars across the front. Disgraceful, and unacceptable in these so called enlightened times - SPCA should intervene and shut it down. Made me cry and my children cry.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Escape24281974298
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
I was shocked to discover that the Trout Observatory is only ranked #19 of 21 things to do in Te Anau. After visiting both Milford and Doubtful Sounds, I can say with certainty that this place deserves to be first. I felt truly connected with nature seeing all 8 of these incredible fish swimming so peacefully in their tank. A true spiritual awakening. Thank you to these beautiful creatures for giving me such a memorable experience in New Zealand.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mumma&Co
Timaru, New Zealand7,290 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Put my $2 in the slot as requested & the turnstile didn't work. Total rip off. Outside needs serious attention, it's so unkempt & the stairs leading to the inside wouldn't be out of place in a horror movie!
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elgarbo
Sydney71 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
The humble trout observatory is, in my opinion, the most enthralling attraction within the town of Te Anau.
Charging a mere $2 entry fee, you descend down a flight of concrete stairs into what can only be described as a concrete and plywood bunker. Within, you are soothed by the sight of a charming collection of both brown and rainbow trout. Some conveniently located benches provide a fantastic vantage point from which to watch the eight or so trout as they swim hypnotically within their enclosure. The whole experience is in soothing contrast against the hustle and bustle of Te Anau above, a relaxing experience that could potentially devour a few hours.
As an exciting added bonus, a tank with a crayfish is located just near the exit. Spend a few minutes appreciating his delicate nature, then ascend back into the hectic streets above.
This is a brilliant attraction, and could only be improved with the construction of a gift shop. I would have loved if I could have added a tasteful Te Anau Trout Observatory snow-globe or souvenir spoon to my collection. Even so, this is an under-appreciated delight that deserves far greater recognition.
Charging a mere $2 entry fee, you descend down a flight of concrete stairs into what can only be described as a concrete and plywood bunker. Within, you are soothed by the sight of a charming collection of both brown and rainbow trout. Some conveniently located benches provide a fantastic vantage point from which to watch the eight or so trout as they swim hypnotically within their enclosure. The whole experience is in soothing contrast against the hustle and bustle of Te Anau above, a relaxing experience that could potentially devour a few hours.
As an exciting added bonus, a tank with a crayfish is located just near the exit. Spend a few minutes appreciating his delicate nature, then ascend back into the hectic streets above.
This is a brilliant attraction, and could only be improved with the construction of a gift shop. I would have loved if I could have added a tasteful Te Anau Trout Observatory snow-globe or souvenir spoon to my collection. Even so, this is an under-appreciated delight that deserves far greater recognition.
Written 26 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sas
Montreal, Canada34 contributions
Jan 2020
There are times when TripAdvisor really delivers, but I must confess, it was the Google reviews that sealed the deal for us.
Our expectations were already high when we pulled into the carpark and the anticipation was elevated when we saw that the carpark was already full (no joke). Would we have to queue? Who were all these early-bird trout aficionados? Fortunately, the Observatory utilises an efficient but unattended turnstile coin system that will generally let you in if you put a $2 coin in, and we were swiftly admitted.
Having paid the piper, we descended into a darkened chamber reminiscent of a public pool changing room circa 1979. One wall consisted of a large tank containing no fewer than 6 trout, one of which was really quite large. Also visible was a separate crayfish tank which, alas, appeared not to contain any crayfish, but by then our marine animal appetite had already been well quenched and we exited somewhat bewildered up through another turnstile into the blinding light of day.
Clearly this attraction is very popular as they decided to build a large visitor centre across the road. Not sure if they are related. Also, keep the observatory in mind in the event you are in Te Anau and there is a civil emergency or nuclear disaster requiring shelter.
Our expectations were already high when we pulled into the carpark and the anticipation was elevated when we saw that the carpark was already full (no joke). Would we have to queue? Who were all these early-bird trout aficionados? Fortunately, the Observatory utilises an efficient but unattended turnstile coin system that will generally let you in if you put a $2 coin in, and we were swiftly admitted.
Having paid the piper, we descended into a darkened chamber reminiscent of a public pool changing room circa 1979. One wall consisted of a large tank containing no fewer than 6 trout, one of which was really quite large. Also visible was a separate crayfish tank which, alas, appeared not to contain any crayfish, but by then our marine animal appetite had already been well quenched and we exited somewhat bewildered up through another turnstile into the blinding light of day.
Clearly this attraction is very popular as they decided to build a large visitor centre across the road. Not sure if they are related. Also, keep the observatory in mind in the event you are in Te Anau and there is a civil emergency or nuclear disaster requiring shelter.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Why is it closed with no information about opening times. We weren't the only people turned away on Sunday night
Written 3 December 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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