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The Kepler Track offers vistas of lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, alpine grasslands of the Jackson Peaks, beech forest and U-shaped glacial valleys.
There is no guided walking option currently on the Kepler Track other than specialist 'charter' guiding from some operators.
There are three Department of Conservation huts along the track. This well-graded track can be walked in either direction. A shorter three-day walk option finishes at the swing bridge at Rainbow Reach.
It is recommended that the track is walked in an anti-clockwise direction, allowing a more gradual climb of 1000m through cool beech forest to the bush line. Those with limited time, experience or fitness may choose to stay only one night in a hut or do a day walk.
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The walk from Rainbow Reach to Moturau hut on the shores of Lake Manapouri is particularly suitable for family groups.
Two nights at Luxmore Hut makes a nice option in winter time when the alpine section is often blanketed with snow and there is high avalanche danger.
60 km circuit track from Te Anau
Can be walked in 2 nights/3 days or 3 nights/4 days
Outside the summer season, huts are available to use but are not serviced.
The Kepler Track is easily accessible from the Lake Te Anau control gates, either by road or a 45 minute walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau, or over the swing bridge across the Waiau River at Rainbow Reach. A shuttle bus also operates during the summer season to entry and exit points on the track and a scheduled boat service provices access to Brod Bay. |
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- Prior booking is required for the use of huts and campsites between late October and late April (summer season). Bookings can be made online at www.doc.govt.nz or at the Te Anau Department of Conservation office.
- Bookings open July 1 for the following season.
- Track may be impassable due to snow/ice or avalanche danger during winter and spring.
- Outside the summer season, huts are available to use but are not serviced.
- During the summer season there are resident Track Rangers, cold running water in huts, gas for cooking, lighting, heating and flush toilets.
Bunkrooms are communal. Mattresses provided.
- Walkers must supply all food, cooking utensils, sleeping bags and warm clothing.
- Camping at designated sites only.
- The alpine section of the track is exposed to very severe weather conditions and trampers should always be well prepared with warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear regardless of the season.
- Guided Tour Options - no overnight guided tours available.
- Special Activities - Annual Kepler Challenge Run and Luxmore Grunt (early December)
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Luxmore Hut - 50 bunks
Iris Burn Hut - 50 bunks
Moturau Hut - 40 bunks
Camping is only permitted at the two designated campsites
Brod Bay 10 - sites - maximum 20 people
Iris Burn 10 sites - maximum 20 people |
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The Kepler Track is a Great Walk. It must be booked during the summer season. Huts cost $40 per person per night.
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Great Walks Bookings, Department of Conservation Lakefront Drive
Te Anau
Ph 03 249 8514, Fax 03 249 8515, Email greatwalksbooking@doc.govt.nz
Website www.doc.govt.nz, office hours for bookings Nov-Apr 8.30am to 6pm daily, May-Oct 8.30am to 12pm & 1pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
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By Boat to Brod Bay:
Kepler Water Taxi
Departs: 8.30am, 9.30am and by arrangement
PH 03 249 8364 E stevsaunders@xtra.co.nz
Cruise Te Anau
Departs: 9am and 10.30am to one-way
Rate: $20; return $40
PH 03 249 7593 MOB 0274 325 029
E info@cruiseteanau.co.nz WWW www.cruisteteanau.co.nz
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By Helicopter to Luxmore Hut: |
Southern Lakes Helicopters
Departs: by arrangement
PH 03 249 7167 or 0508 249 7167
E info@southernlakeshelicopters.co.nz
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Te Anau to Control Gates (October to April): |
No scheduled winter departures. Contact operators below for winter transport availability.
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Topline Tours Te Anau
Departs: Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
9am, 10.30am & 2pm
Rate: $5 - bookings essential
PH 03 249 8059 or 0508 83 26 28
E topline@teanau.co.nz WWW www.toplinetours.co.nz
The Kepler Shuttle - Tracknet
Departs: Te Anau at 8.30am, 9.30am and 2.30pm - will do trips on demand in winter months
Rate: $6
PH 03 249 7777 or 0800 483 262
E info@tracknet.net WWW www.tracknet.net
*Queenstown connections available
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Shuttles to/from Te Anau & Rainbow Reach - swing bridge (October to April): |
No scheduled winter departures. contact operators below for winter transport availability.
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Topline Tours Te Anau
To Rainbow Reach from Te Anau
Departs: DOC - 10.30am & 2pm
From Rainbow Reach to Te Anau
Departs: 11am & 2.30pm
Rate: $8 each way
Phone 03 249 8059 or 0508 83 26 28
E topline@teanau.co.nz
WWW www.toplinetours.co.nz
The Kepler Shuttle - Tracknet
To Rainbow Reach from Te Anau
Departs: Te Anau - 9.30am & 2.45 & 4.45pm
From Rainbow Reach to Te Anau
Departs: 10am, 3pm & 5pm
Rate: $9 each way
Phone 03 249 7777 or 0800 4 Te Anau
E info@tracknet.net
WWW www.tracknet.net |
