The Kepler Track is a super fun walk.
Hiking the Kepler Track on New Zealand’s South Island with our kids was pretty great. This great walk in Fiordland National Park is awesome!
We’ve now been living in New Zealand for a bit over three years and we are slowly getting through the Great Walks. One of my favorite things to do is to go hiking with my kids and the great walks are a fun way to do so. We get to bond as a family as we explore new areas of this country. As of now we’ve done the Milford Track, Routeburn Track, Whanganui River, Tongariro Crossing, and Abel Tasman. Right now I’d say the Kepler Track is my favorite walk that we’ve done.
About The Kepler Track
3 – 4 day, 60 km loop
Highlights – Beech Forest, Lakes Te Anau & Manapouri, Alpine Views, Iris Burn River, Waterfall, and Keas.
Located in Fiordland National Park on the South Island near Te Anau
Can be walked in either direction.
3 huts, 2 campsites
Hiking New Zealand’s Kepler Track With Kids
Our big adventure for the summer holiday was to hike the Kepler Track in mid January.
I had booked this walk many months ago when DOC opens the huts to be booked during the Great Walk season, which is roughly late October to April. DOC (Department of Conservation) opens all of the Great Walks for booking in mid-June for the following year. It’s best to plan in advance if you want to do a Great Walk during the busy time of year. You’ll be glad that you took the time to plan ahead of time.
Anyhow, ever since I booked the walk I was hoping that we would get good weather on the second day of our walk. That is the primo day, at least for the direction we went from, when the trail is above bush line most of the way and the views are absolutely, hands down world class. After months and months of hoping for good weather we ended up getting lucky and having a great day.
Day 1 Kepler Track – Control Gates to Luxmore Hut
Ready to hit the trail!
We spent the night before our trip in Te Anau, which is a mere 40 minute walk from the start of the trail at the control gates. We woke up that first morning with heavy packs, excitement, and a bit of trepidation. Personally, I was a bit nervous because there was a chance of poor weather and it was supposed to get super cold.
From the control gates the first hour and a half of the trail pass through a marvelous beech forest along the shores of Lake Te Anau. This part of the hike went by quickly as we all slowly got into the rhythm of walking with our heavy packs. At one point along that stretch we were shocked to see a stoat run across the trail right in front of us! It quickly disappeared right near one of the DOC – 200 trap boxes.
Having a snack at Brod Bay before the climb.
Our first stop was at Brod Bay on the shores of Lake Te Anau. We set our packs down and acquainted ourselves with the sand flies. Fun:) Not.
Still happy in the Beech forest.
The trail leaves the lake and begins a long ascent up through the bush towards the Luxmore hut, about 800 meters higher. This was a bit of a slog, but mostly not too steep.
After a couple of hours we came to some impressive limestone bluffs, which served as a nice excuse to take a break.
Another hour of walking up and then we finally were above the bush line into the tussock with amazing views. We stopped in the bush and geared up with our raincoats and water proof pants so that we were ready for the wind and rain that was about to hit us as we hiked the final 45 minutes to the Luxmore Hut.
Ready for the rain and cold on the last section before the Luxmore hut.
The weather wasn’t too bad for us, but others arriving later from the other direction were beset by crazy winds, rain, and even snow from a southerly. We just stayed warm in the hut, drank hot liquids, and played cards. In brief gaps in the weather we gawked at a couple of Keas that hung out on the porch of the hut.
Day 2 Kepler Track – Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut
Day two was truly incredible. It was one of the best days of walking we’ve had in New Zealand with sweet views in all directions. This was still a tough day of walking as there was a lot of up and then a crap load of down at the end.
At the top of Mt. Luxmore. Great views, but super cold!
We climbed up to the top of Mt. Luxmore, then followed along the ridge line for a long time. WOW!
Great views along the ridge!!!
I felt like hiking in one of those places you see in Banff Films where people are in amazing places with inspirational music in the background.
Along the ridge approaching the Hanging Valley shelter.
Along that ridge we saw heaps of Keas! When we stopped at the Hanging Valley Shelter we were greeted by a few other trampers and 8 Keas. Yep, 8! They were hanging around, waiting for a chance to steal some food or anything they could.
Starting the long walk down to the Iris Burn Hut.
After that shelter the trail follows the ridge and starts a steep descent, dropping 900 meters down stairs and switchbacks to the Iris Burn Hut in the bush. This hut is in a small tussock clearing, near the Iris Burn River, which made a great place for a freezing dip to wash off the grime from the trail.
We heard rumors that Kiwi lived in the area, but yet again we failed to see any. At night we definitely heard some loud Kiwi, but they were too far away to see.
Day 3 Kepler Track – Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut
Day three was a long, mostly downhill, walk along the Iris Burn river to the final hut on the shores of Lake Manapouri. When we arrived at the hut we quickly dumped our bags, put on our togs, and jumped into the crystal clear lake. The water was beautiful can clear, but it was freezing. We didn’t play in the water too long, but long enough to refresh us and wash off the grime from the day.
The beach and views from the beach in front of the hut are awesome and a great place to watch the sunset as long as you can handle the sand flies.
Day 4 – Kepler Track – Moturau Hut to Rainbow Reach
For us day four was a short two hour walk to Rainbow Reach, where we got picked up. The last part of this day crosses a long swing bridge over the Waiau River. We got lucky and saw a NZ Falcon perched on the bridge that let us approach within 10 feet of it.