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The Kepler Track

Kepler-Track

The Kepler Track (4 Day, 3 Night Self-Guided Walk)

The Kepler Track is a 60 km (37 miles) circular tramping track which travels through some of the spectacular scenery on the South Island. It is the perfect complement to its near neighbours, the Milford and Routeburn tracks. Passing through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park ranging from rocky mountain ridges to tall mossy forests, from lake shores to deep gorges. The Kepler track is one of the safest tracks to be found in New Zealand’s remote back country with most streams bridged, boardwalks cover boggy areas and the very steep sections have steps. It has a well-marked track constructed to a very high standard and the huts are well provided for. It is a moderate walking track that takes three to four days to complete.

The Kepler Track may be sensibly tackled by the inexperienced provided that their party includes one or two seasoned trampers or hikers. So go to it, embark on the discovery of our unequalled New Zealand natural landscape.

Fitness Level Required: A moderate to high level of fitness is necessary, you need to be able to walk for 4– 8 hours over 10– 19 km (6 – 12 miles) each day. The track is a mixture of natural bush and mountain tracks. You do need to carry your own pack from hut to hut which is likely to be 8 to 12 kg. (17 to 26 lbs) – We do not recommend the track for children under 10. To view the elevation map – Click Here

The Huts: Luxmore, Iris Burn and Moturau Huts are public DOC Great Walk huts. Bookings are essential during summer. There is no power but there is lighting and heating in the main kitchen / dining area, flush toilets are in an outside ablution block, gas cooking facilities are provided during summer months. Bunk rooms have communal sleeping with mattresses provided.

Day 1 - Arrive Queenstown

Stay the night in Queenstown and collect your track notes and camping kit.

Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. There are numerous activities from which to choose and we would be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.

Here is a selection of the many options:

DAY 2: Te Anau, Brod Bay, Luxmore Hut

Walk: 5 - 6 hours, 8.2 km (4.9 miles )

After taking the coach to Te Anau you join the water taxi across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay. The track to the bushline starts about halfway along the beach and climbs steadily for about two hours to limestone bluffs, ideal for a lunch stop. Continue for about another hour of climbing and the bushline is reached, providing panoramic views of the Te Anau Basin, Takatimu Mountains, and the Snowdon and Earl Mountains.

The Luxmore Hut (1085m or 3559 ft.) is about a 45 minute walk from the bushline. It has 2 bunk rooms with 55 bunks.

Optional Side Trip: Luxmore Caves. Please leave your intentions with those at the hut and have a few light sources each.

DAY 3 - Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut

Walk: 5 - 6 hours / 14.6 km ( 8.8 miles)

From Luxmore Hut the track climbs gradually to a ridge just below the summit of Mount Luxmore (1472m or 4829 ft.) A 10 minute side trip to the summit of Mount Luxmore provides some excellent views. The track then descends to a shelter close to the Forest Burn Saddle. The track sidles, climbs and then follows a ridge system for about two hours to the Hanging Valley Shelter. A long, open ridge leads toward the Iris Burn and descends into a Hanging Valley. The track descends through forest to the Iris Burn Hut (497m or 1630 ft.). It has 5 bunk rooms with 50 bunks and 10 campsites.

Note: For a pleasant evening stroll head up the valley for 20 minutes to Iris Burn Waterfall.

Day 4 - Iris Burn Hut to Motura hut

Walk: 5 - 6 hours / 16.2 km ( 10.1 miles)

A steady days hike the track climbs over a low saddle and wanders through beech forest, riverside clearing to the large slip formed during heavy rain in January 1984. The track then 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.

DAY 5 - Moturau Hut, Rainbow Reach, Control Gates, Te Anau

Walk: 5 - 6 hours, 19.5 km ( 11.8 miles)

The last day is a gentle stroll through beech forest to Rainbow Reach. The track crosses a wetland and then the meandering Forest Burn just above its outlet into Balloon Loop, an old part of the Upper Waiau River. It then follows the Waiau River terrace to the swingbridge at Rainbow Reach. Trampers can catch a shuttle bus service from Rainbow Reach to Te Anau over the summer. Reservations are essential in winter.