UPDATED 4.58pm: A magnitude 5.6 earthquake has shaken Fiordland this afternoon.

GeoNet said the quake struck at 2.55pm and described it as strong. It was 30km deep and centred 70km west of Te Anau.

There were reports of the quake being felt as widespread as Oamaru, Haast and Bluff.

It was felt in the main centres of Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown.

In Te Anau, the Ranch Bar and Grill duty manager Hayley Dawson said the quake was large enough to shake glasses and get the five patrons in the bar at the time talking.

''The local handles were all rattling,'' she said.

Previous quakes Ms Dawson experienced over her year living in the town she had not noticed, but she ''did notice this one''.

Fresh Choice Te Anau owner Keith Cullen said the quake was ''rapid'' but was not severe enough to send stock from shelves.

''We certainly felt it,'' Mr Cullen said. ''It was quite a quick shake.

''I just shot down to the shop floor but no-one was worried or scared.''

Mr Cullen said it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds and was ''a lot bigger than most'' he had felt in his 15 years in Te Anau.

Another quake, of magnitude 4.3, shook Fiordland this morning.

GeoNet said the 17km-deep quake struck 60km west of Te Anau at 11am.

It was described as moderate in intensity.