Kepler Track: Great Walk Guide to Fiordland's Alpine Loop From Te Anau

Overview

The Kepler Track is a 60 km loop that starts and finishes near Te Anau, so it needs no complicated transport. It runs from the beech-forested shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest body of fresh water in Australasia, up onto exposed tussock ridges with panoramic views. Then it drops through the Iris Burn valley to Lake Manapouri. Most walkers take 4 days and 3 nights.

Seasons

• Great Walks season (27 October 2026 – 30 April 2027): The best time to go. Bookings are required for all huts and campsites, there are more facilities, and DOC manages hazards. Rated an intermediate tramping track.
• Outside the season (May – late October): Cold, icy and snowy, with frequent avalanches across 9 avalanche paths. There's no gas, the toilets are pit toilets and there are no rangers. Only attempt it if you're fit, experienced and carrying an ice axe, crampons and avalanche gear. Only Luxmore Hut needs booking then.

Track sections

Side trips: Luxmore Cave (20 min return from the hut) and Mt Luxmore summit (1,472 m, the highest point on the track, 30 min return).

Fill your water bottles at Luxmore Hut. There's no reliable water on the alpine section until Iris Burn.

Huts and campsites

There are three huts (Luxmore with 54 bunks, Iris Burn with 50 and Moturau with 40) and two campsites (Brod Bay and Iris Burn). Each has 15 tent sites. Huts have heating, lighting, cooking facilities and flush toilets in season. Tap water isn't treated, so boil it first. Camping in the Forest Burn or Hanging Valley shelters isn't allowed.

Day walks on the Kepler

You can sample the Kepler without booking:

• Kepler Track car park to Dock Bay and Brod Bay
• Car park to Rainbow Reach
• Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut
• Car park to Luxmore Hut, a big day with a 1,000 m+ climb

Getting there

• Kepler Track car park: 5 km from Te Anau, or a 50-minute walk along the lakefront from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
• Rainbow Reach car park: 12 km from Te Anau
• Shuttles run daily in season, and a scheduled boat goes to Brod Bay.

Hazards and tips

• Fiordland gets up to 9,000 mm of rain a year, and snow can fall in any month. Avalanche risk can last into December, and DOC may close the alpine section.
• Kea on the tops love tents and gear, so keep yours secure.
• Didymo is present in Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri and the Waiau River. Check, clean and dry your gear.
• The track isn't recommended for children under 10.
• The Kepler Challenge race takes over the track on the first Saturday in December.

Good to know

No dogs. Bookings for the 2026/27 season are open on DOC's website.