The Kepler Walk on New Zealand’s South Island is a fantastic hike. Here is some basic information about planning your adventure on the Kepler Track.
New Zealand has 9 Great Walks, including the Milford Track, Routeburn Track, and Abel Tasman. These are some of the best walks or tracks in the entire country. Some of them take you over mountains and others along the coast. The Kepler is a stunning walk that takes you along a high alpine ridge in Fiordland National Park.
Kepler Track Overview
3 – 4 day 60 km loop
Trailheads – Control Gates (a 40 minute walk from Te Anau or short drive) and Rainbow Reach. These two trailheads are connected by a 9.5 km trail that follows the Waiau River.
Highlights – Stunning views from above bush line, mountain ridges, peaks, lakes, rivers, waterfall, beech forest, and a cave.
Difficulty – Moderate, two days of the walk have quite a bit of climbing and descending. One of those days is spent almost entirely above bush line, making it subject to the elements. The other two days are mostly long, flat days along river valleys.
Kepler Track Logistics and FAQ
How Can I Get To The Trailheads?
The control gates are located close enough to Te Anau that you can walk if you want. That will add about 40 minutes to your overall walk. Or you can take a bus, taxi, or drive yourself.
Rainbow Reach is a bit farther away from Te Anau. You can book a bus ride with Tracknet to either take you to the trailhead or pick you up at the end of your walk.
Does It Matter Which Way I Travel On The Track?
Not really. Most people start at the control gates and head counterclockwise direction to Luxmore Hut, Iris Burn Hut, and then Moturau Hut.
However, some people choose to go in the opposite direction. You just need to book the huts for the dates you’ll be there.
How Do I Book This Walk (You Need To Book The Huts)?
You can book this walk through the Department of Conservation Website here.
This walk can be booked 6 – 10 months in advance and should be if you plan on walking during the Great Walks Season (October – April) because it fills up quickly.
Is It OK To Do This Walk With Kids?
Yes…and no. DOC recommends children be 10 and over.
We took our kids when they were 9 and 11 after they’d already done quite a bit of hiking and were strong and experienced. This trail is 60 km or 52 km if you cut out the stretch between Rainbow Reach and the Control Gates, so it’s pretty long.
One good day of this trail is above bush line and can be hammered by wind, rain, and snow. It can be dangerous for adults and kids if you happen to have bad weather on that stretch.
Are There Campsites?
Yes. There are two campsites along this walk. One is located at Brod Bay and the other at Iris Burn. Be warned, they are located almost 23 km apart with a mountain between them.
What Amenities Are At The Huts?
During the Great Walks season the huts have running water and stoves with gas. There are also nice bunk rooms, communal kitchens and dining rooms. The dining rooms have a number of large tables to relax at, eat, and play cards while warming up by the fireplace.
What Are The Day Shelters Like?
There are several day shelters along the trail. On the ridge between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut there are two shelters which are designed as places to rest and get out of the elements.
Both of those shelters are nothing more than a simple A-frame building. There is no water, stove, or gas at them. However, there are outhouses at each of them to take care of your business.
My Insider Tips For The Kepler Track
There are lots of Keas along this walk. They may be super cool to watch, but watch your stuff carefully around them. These cheeky birds are just waiting to grab anything you leave around like food or gear.
Bring along a small towel. At the end of the day you can take a dip in the Iris Burn River or Lake Manapouri. The water may be cold, but it is super refreshing and feels so good to rinse off the grime of the day.
Along the Iris Burn River keep your eyes open for Blue Ducks. Also, if you are restless take a night stroll around the bush near the Iris Burn Hut or Luxmore Hut and you may be lucky to see a Kiwi!