I braced myself for the next gust, feet wide, knees bent, crouching over my hiking poles. I could see the track snaking along the ridge line with steep drop-offs on either side. We were well and truly above the tree line, if I went over, it was going to be a long way before I stopped falling.

There’d already been two hikers knocked off their feet by the wind, fortunately they’d not gone over the edge. Someone else’s pack cover took flight, a bright red sail disappearing into the grey fog.

Not satisfied, the wind circled around and had a go from the other direction, whirling up from Lake Te Anau then slamming into me from the other direction. So this was what 80 kilometre gusts felt like I mused as the sleet flew past me horizontally.

I yelled to my three hiking companions, checking in that everyone was okay. It was impossible to have a conversation over the roar of the wind, but a thumbs up sufficed. The craziness of the situation led to us laughing, perhaps with a touch of hysteria, there wasn’t much else to do.

Kepler Track Great Walk

Kepler Track is described as a challenging trail which traverses high over mountains and deep down into glacier carved valleys. Highlights include stunning waterfalls, ancient beech forests and ferny dells, lakeside walks, sparkling rivers and tussock covered alpine tops with magnificent Fiordland views.

Mount Luxmore Side Trips

The Luxmore Hut is hugely popular with overnight trekkers for completing as an out and back trip. This makes a great introductory walk and for new hikers the chance to experience a hut for perhaps the first time. Because of its accessibility to Te Anau township, this option is popular with families.

From the hut, there’s an easy twenty minute side trip to the Luxmore Caves, bring a torch and explore deep into the depths being careful not to touch the stalagmites and stalactites.

Sunset or sunrise can be viewed from the Mount Luxmore summit, a thirty minute hike from the Hut. From here, the views of the Murchison Range and Te Anau Lake are awe inspiring.

The Infamous Kepler Track Kea

We were eventually blown into the second of the emergency shelters where we took a short break to regroup and catch our breath. Having made it across the ridge, we looked forward to the downhill trail into the shelter of the beech forest before eventually making it to the Iris Burn Hut.

Waiting for us outside the emergency shelter was an opportunistic Kea that had followed us across the ridge from Luxmore. He was hoping that someone would leave him treats but we’d already been instructed by the ranger not to feed the Kea as doing so, encourages their dependence on us.

The Kea on Kepler Track are infamous for their mischief and have been known to even pinch cameras from the Luxmore Hut balcony. If it’s not tied down, they’ll have a go at snatching it.

The campsite at Iris Burn is another favourite spot of the Keas who’ve no respect for hikers’ tents gear or hiking boots, happily poking holes in anything with their insatiable curiosity..

Lake Te Anau

The Kepler Track starts on the shores of the beautiful Lake Te Anau and campers will enjoy the site at Brod Bay though not the sandflies which are everywhere in Fiordland! Lake Te Anau is the largest body of fresh water in Australasia.

Lake Manapouri

The Moturau Hut has a stunning location on the shores of Lake Manapouri.

Best Time to Visit Kepler Track

The best time to visit Kepler Track is during the Great Walks season which is from the end of October until the end of April.

It’s possible to walk the track outside of the Great Walks season however there’s fewer facilities.

How Long is Kepler Track

In total, the Kepler Track loop is 60 km long. The loop begins at the Kepler Track Trail Head Carpark then walking in an anticlockwise direction, you’ll pass Brod Bay, Luxmore Hut, Iris Burn Hut, Moturau Hut, then out to Rainbow Reach.

You can either return to Te Anau from Rainbow Reach by shuttle or complete the loop by returning to the Kepler Track Trail Head Carpark.

Kepler Track Itinerary

The standard Kepler Track Itinerary is four days and three nights.

Kepler Track Day 1 – Kepler Track Trail Head Carpark to Luxmore Hut

• Time: 5 - 6 hr
  Distance: 15.8 km

Kepler Track Day 2 – Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut

• Time: 5- 6 hr

• Distance: 14.6 km

Kepler Track Day 3 – Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut

• Time: 5-6 hr

• Distance: 16.6 km

Kepler Track Day 4 – Moturau Hut to Rainbow Reach

• Time: 1 hr 30 min

• Distance: 6 km

Kepler Track Day 4 – Rainbow Reach to Kepler Track Trail Head Carpark

• Time: 2 hrs 30 mins to 3 hrs 30 mins

• Distance: 9.5 km

Weather Conditions at Kepler Track

Weather can and will change very rapidly no matter the season in the Fiordland National Park which experiences very high rainfall - up to nine metres (9000mm) a year. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of year and it’s critical that you’re prepared for all conditions.

The most challenging section is from Brod Bay through to Iris Burn Hut with a lot of elevation, exposed track and particularly on top, the potential for adverse weather.

When the wind gusts reach 80 kilometres per hour, the route between Luxmore and Iris Burn Huts is closed.

Avalanche Risk on Kepler Track

The risk of avalanche can extend into December. When I walked the track in early November there were still patches of snow through the alpine sections.

Who can walk Kepler Track?

Kepler Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks with a clearly defined trail and comparatively good facilities.

The most challenging section is from Brod Bay through to Iris Burn Hut with a lot of elevation, exposed track and particularly on top, the potential for adverse weather.

Can You Walk Kepler Track without a Guide

Kepler Track may be walked independently of a guide and as a Great Walk, it is very well signposted with plenty of directional signs and markers. When you walk without a Guide, you will use the Department of Conservation facilities which are the ones referenced in my article. 

During the Great Walks Season, a ranger is stationed at each hut, they will check you in around the time you arrive. At night, the ranger gives a hut talk to alert you as to what’s coming, weather updates, the tracks history and condition, what to look out for and other useful information. They’ll also update the noticeboard early in the morning with the latest weather forecast. 

As Kepler Track can be walked in either direction, you’ll likely encounter new people in the huts at night. This can be a great way to share up to the minute updates on the track ahead.

Kepler Track Facilities

Kepler Track is a New Zealand Great Walk and you will need to pre-book your trip online.

The Track can be walked in either direction though the most popular is anti-clockwise, starting at the Kepler Track Trailhead Carpark then heading to Luxmore Hut. To complete the 60 km loop, walk from Rainbow Reach to the Kepler Track Trailhead Carpark. Alternatively you can shuttle out to either the Kepler Track Trailhead Carpark or to the Rainbow Reach Carpark and vice versa.

Most people take four days and three nights and there’s three huts; Luxmore, Iris Burn and Moturau Huts which all need to be booked well in advance of the Great Walk season.

There are campsites at Brod Bay and near the Iris Burn Hut. Campers are not permitted to use Hut facilities.

The huts have basic facilities and the communal bunk rooms have bunks and mattresses. There are toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water. During the Great Walk season, there will be a ranger in residence. There’s no cooking utensils or showers.

Kepler Track Emergency Shelters

There’s an emergency shelter at either end of the ridge on Mount Luxmore, the Forest Burn Shelter and the Hanging Valley Shelter.

The shelters are a good place to stop and to consider if the weather is suitable for crossing the exposed alpine ridge. The shelters are enclosed and have outside toilets.

Kepler Track Mobile and Emergency Communications

There’s limited mobile phone coverage at Luxmore Hut and no coverage for much of the remaining track. I recommend you take your emergency communication device and familiarise yourself with how to use it before heading onto the trail.

How Much does Kepler Track Cost

Hut Fees 

Hut Fees for Kepler Track vary depending on whether you are from New Zealand or are an international visitor, whether it is during the Great Walk season or outside of the Great Walk season and also, whether you are an adult or child.

In the Great Walks Season (Late October to Late April)

New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in new Zealand:

Hut Fees

• Adult (18+ years): $80 per person per, night

• Child (5 to 17 years): $40 per person, per night

Campsite Fees

• Adult (18+ years): $25 per person per, night

• Child (5 to 17 years): $12 per person, per night

International visitors

Hut Fees

• Adult (18+ years): $120 per person per, night

• Child (5 to 17 years): $60 per person, per night

Campsite Fees

• Adult (18+ years): $38 per person per, night

• Child (5 to 17 years): $19 per person, per night

Outside the Great Walks Season (May to Late October)

Luxmore Hut (1 May – 30 June)

For all visitors:

• Adult (18+ years): $30 per person, per night

• Child (5 to 17 years): $15 per person, per night

All other huts (1 May – 28 October) and Luxmore Hut (1 July - 28 October)

For all visitors:

• Adult (18+ years): $25 per person, per night

• Child (5 to 17 years): $12.50 per person, per night

All visitors

• Adult (18+ years): $25 per person per, night

• Child (5 to 17 years): $12.50 per person, per night

Where is Kepler Track

Kepler Track is located in Fiordland National Park, Fiordland which is situated in the South West corner of Southland in the South Island, New Zealand.

The closest towns are Te Anau, Queenstown or the Southland regional centre, Invercargill.

Where does Kepler Track Start

Kepler Track is a loop which can  be walked in either direction though the most popular way is to take an anti clockwise route.

The Kepler Track entry trailhead is at the Kepler Track Carpark Trail Head on the shores of Lake Te Anau.

If not completing the full loop, you can exit Kepler Track at the Rainbow Reach car park.

Getting to and from Kepler Track

Hike

Hike to the Kepler Track Trail Head Carpark from Te Anau town.

Shuttle

Shuttles run regularly from Te Anau to both the Kepler Track Trail Head Carpark and to the Rainbow Reach Carpark.

Shuttles run regularly from Queenstown and Queenstown Airport to Te Anau.

Water Taxi

A water taxi is available to ferry you from Te Anau town to near the Brod Beach campsite.

My Kepler Track Statistics

I started the Kepler Track the day after I completed the Milford Track on 29th October finishing four days later on 1st November.

📅 Date: 29/10/20222 - 1/11/2022

☀️ Weather: Kepler Late Spring/Early Summer. Day 1: Sunshine. Day 2: 80 km winds, sleet, freezing. Day 3: Sun, Clouds. Day 4: Sun

🌲 Location: Kepler Track, Fiordland National Park, Southland, New Zealand

⛺️ Accommodation: New Zealand Great Walk Huts.

📖  Bookings Required: I booked on opening day of the new Great Walks booking season and by the end of the morning the entire season was sold out. If you miss out, watch the website for cancellations as there were several people who were on the trail with me who had managed to score a spot due to a cancellation.

Kepler Track Versus Milford Track

Milford Track is located at the northern end of Lake Te Anau and Kepler Track is located at the southern end of Lake Te Anau, both being in Fiordland National Park and both being Great Walks. Given their close proximity it would be easy to assume that both tracks offer similar highlights but nothing could be further from the truth.

Kepler Track’s highlights include spectacular lowland beech and podocarp forest, walking along the shores of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri with opportunity to swim, a side trip to the Mount Luxmore summit, stunning views across the south fiord of Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Mountains as you walk along a knife edge and the fragile wetlands near the Waiau River.

Milford Track’s highlights include ancient rainforests, McKinnon Pass, sheer granite mountains, cascading waterfalls and rivers, valleys carved out by glaciers, fresh swimming holes in the rivers, water taxis to and from the trail heads and the side trip to the incredible Sutherland Falls.

Yes, both tracks are beautiful and worthy of doing. I walked Milford Track and immediately after, Kepler Track, effectively completing the two tracks back to back.

During that season, I experienced challenging weather throughout my two walks with the Kepler Track on the point of being closed due to the dangerous near 80km wind gusts.

Kepler Track Versus Routeburn Track

Like Milford and Kepler Tracks mentioned above, the Routeburn Track is broadly speaking, in the same neighbourhood.

Routeburn Track is in both Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks and you drive past one of the Routeburn Trailheads (The Divide) on your way to Milford Sounds. 

Routeburn Track’s highlights include alpine gardens and meadows, beautiful alpine plants, spectacular vistas, views to the Darran Mountains as you cross the Hollyford face, the crystal clear Route Burn (river), the stunning Lake Harris and Lake McKenzie, the side trip to Conical Hill, Earland Falls and the silver beech forest. I circled back to Lake Wakatipu on the Greenstone Track and recommend that as a good circuit when walking the Routeburn.

As with Milford and Kepler, I walked Routeburn in very challenging conditions and due to the weather and lack of visibility, I was unable to complete the side quests, a great excuse to return!

I would happily walk each of these three tracks again as the experience is likely to be completely different given different weather conditions.

Fiordland Great Walks

This is the order that I’d walk the three Fiordland Great Walks:

1. Milford Track

2. Routeburn Track

3. Kepler Track

Yes, the indescribably beautiful Milford Track remains my favourite track in all of New Zealand. 

Have you walked or are you planning to walk any of New Zealands Great Walks? Share in the comment box your experience on the trails or what you’re most looking forward to.

Good to Know Distances

Hiking

• Kepler Track 60km (four days, three nights)

• Te Anau Fiordland iSite Visitor Information Centre to Kepler Track Trail Head Carpark 4.8 km, 1 hr walking

• Te Anau Fiordland iSite Visitor Information Centre to Rainbow Reach Carpark 13 km, 2 - 3 hrs walking.

Driving

• Te Anau Fiordland iSite Visitor Information Centre to Rainbow Reach Carpark 13 km, 12 min

• Te Anau Fiordland iSite Visitor Information Centre to Rainbow Reach Carpark 13 km, 2 - 3 hrs walking. 13 km, 12 min

• Te Anau to Queenstown 172 km, 2 hrs

• Te Anau to Queenstown Airport 165 km, 2 hrs

• Te Anau to Invercargill 158 km, 2 hrs

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