Tramping
The track is usually recommended to be walked in this route from the Lake Te Anau Control Gates. It can be walked in either direction. If time is short, the track can be shortened to three days by exiting or entering at the Rainbow Reach swing bridge using a car or bus. Trampers are encouraged to complete a 'Notice of Intentions' form at the Fiordland Visitors Information centre, prior to any walk.
While it is possible to complete the Kepler whilst camping this requires a 10 hour hike between Brod Bay and Iris Burn campsites. A much easier option is to stay at Luxmore Hut on the first night, then continue on to Iris Burn campsite for the second night, completing the track to Rainbow Reach on day three.
Peak season prices for accommodation are $54.00 for the huts and $18.00 for the campsites (26 October to 26 April). Off peak accommodation costs $15.00 NZD for the huts and $5.00 NZD for the campsites.
| Place | Day (Full) | Day (Short) | Distance | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Te Anau Control Gates 45°26′30.5″S 167°41′23″E / 45.441806°S 167.68972°E / -45.441806; 167.68972 (Lake Te Anau Control Gates) |
1 | 5.6 km (3.5 mi) | 1.5 hours | The track follows the shores of Lake Te Anau in beech forest to sandy Brod Bay where camping is permitted, and where it is possible to enter or exit the track by an arranged shuttle boat. | |
| Brod Bay | |||||
| 1 | 8.2 km (5.1 mi) | 3.5 - 4.5 hours | From Brod Bay, the track climbs up past limestone bluffs (at 747 m or 2,451 ft) to Luxmore Hut (1,085 m or 3,560 ft) on Mt Luxmore. A short walk from the hut leads to a cave, one of about 30 in the area, of which many are still unexplored. | ||
| Luxmore Hut | |||||
| 2 | 2 | 14.6 km (9.1 mi) | 5 – 6 hours | A gradual climb from the hut to Luxmore Saddle (1,400 m or 4,600 ft) which is the highest point on the main trail, offering extensive views of the park. There is an opportunity to climb to the peak of Mount Luxmore (1,472 m or 4,829 ft) for a 360 degree view including Lake Te Anau.
Emergency shelters are located at Forrest Burn and Hanging Valley - though overnight stays are expressly forbidden, except in an emergency. The path then follows a long, open ridge toward the Iris Burn and descends via a series of zigzags into a hanging valley. The track descends through forest, and provides a view of a large natural landslide. The Iris Burn Hut (497 m or 1,631 ft) is sited in a large tussock clearing 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from Iris Burn waterfall. |
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| Iris Burn Hut | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 16.2 km (10.1 mi) | 5 – 6 hours | The track climbs over a low saddle and wanders through mixed forest to the large slip formed during heavy rain in January 1984. The track sidles through a gorge to come out on river flats near the mouth of the Iris Burn. It follows the lakeshore around Shallow Bay to Moturau Hut, situated beside a beautiful beach with panoramic views of Lake Manapouri. | |
| Moturau Hut 45°28′54″S 167°36′37″E / 45.48167°S 167.61028°E / -45.48167; 167.61028 (Moturau Hut) |
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| 4 | 6 km (3.7 mi) | 1.5 – 2 hours | This short section crosses many small streams, before running next to the Waiau River until it reaches the Rainbow Reach swing bridge, where there is a carpark, and tramper bus services. | ||
| Rainbow Reach Swing Bridge 45°29′27″S 167°39′45″E / 45.49083°S 167.6625°E / -45.49083; 167.6625 (Moturau Hut) |
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| 9.5 km (5.9 mi) | 2.5 - 3.5 hours | The undulating track here traverses mixed forest and crosses many small streams, arriving back at the Control Gates. | |||
| Lake Te Anau Control Gates |
The Lake Te Anau Control Gates are approximately 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) from the DOC visitors centre in Te Anau.
The DOC provides very conservative estimates on the hiking time from point to point on the track, and experienced hikers may cover quoted distances in half of the recommended time.
Read more about this topic: Kepler Track