Walking the Kepler Track – A Must Do Great Walk in New Zealand
Walking the ridgeline of the Kepler Track
The Kepler Track is a breathtaking 60 km loop in Fiordland National Park, starting from the Kepler Track car park in Te Anau. It can be walked clockwise or anticlockwise, taking you through stunning beech-forested shorelines along Lake Te Anau—New Zealand’s second-largest lake—as well as the serene waters of Lake Manapouri.
As you ascend, you’ll tackle tussock-covered ridgelines, rewarded with spectacular alpine vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. Along the way, there are three huts and two campsites, all of which must be booked in advance.
Most hikers take 4 days/3 nights to complete the track, but I met plenty of trampers pushing themselves to finish in just two nights. The track is open during the Great Walks season which runs from October – April, date dependant on season and during this time it falls under the intermediate track category.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s hike!
CONTENTS:
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ACCOMMODATION
If you're planning to hike the Kepler Track, it’s essential to book your accommodation in advance, whether you choose huts, campsites, or a mix of both.
Luxmore Hut - Night 1 Accommodation on The Kepler Track
There are three huts along the track:
🏡 Luxmore Hut
🏡 Iris Burn Hut
🏡 Moturau Hut
And two campsites:
⛺ Brod Bay Campsite
⛺ Iris Burn Campsite
Technically, freedom camping is allowed as long as you're at least 500m from the track, but suitable tent spots are scarce due to the rugged terrain and thick tussock. Plus, camping fees go directly to the Department of Conservation (DOC), helping to maintain the track, huts, campsites, and rangers who protect this incredible landscape.
When to Book & Prices:
📅 Bookings for the 2025/26 season open at 9:30 AM on Thursday, 15th May 2025. If you want a hut spot, be ready to book immediately—they sell out fast!
💰 2024/25 Prices:
· Huts: $80 NZD (NZ adult) | $120 NZD (International adult)
· Campsites: $25 NZD (NZ adult) | $38 NZD (International adult)
(These prices may change for next season. Proof of New Zealand residency is required for local rates.)
Hiking Outside the Great Walks Season:
From 1st May – 27th October 2025, fees are lower, but only experienced and well-equipped hikers should attempt the track. Expect harsh winter conditions and limited facilities.
How to Secure Your Spot
➡️ Book online here
💡 Before 15th May, decide your itinerary in advance so you can book as soon as reservations open—these spots won’t last long!
GETTING THERE
The Kepler Track begins at the Kepler Track car park in Te Anau, where you can leave your car if you're completing the full 60 km loop. However, I chose to end my hike at Rainbow Reach, which is 10 km from the car park. This is a popular option as it allows hikers to complete the track in 3 days/2 nights, saving money on the final hut stay. If you take this option, you’ll need to arrange transport to and from your start and finish points.
I booked with TrackNet, and I highly recommend them! They provided a pick-up from my Te Anau accommodation to the trailhead and later picked me up from Rainbow Reach, returning me to my accommodation—all for just $29 NZD.
Where to Stay in Te Anau
If you're looking for accommodation before or after your hike, I recommend:
🏕 Tasman Holiday Parks – Great for campers!
🏨 Kingsgate Hotel – A budget-friendly hotel option.
Getting to Te Anau
Te Anau is located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, in the heart of Fiordland National Park.
🚗 Driving Times:
· Queenstown to Te Anau – Approx. 2 hours
· Christchurch to Te Anau – Approx. 8 hours
🚌 Bus Services Available From:
· Queenstown
· Invercargill
· Dunedin
· Christchurch
✈️ Nearest Airport: Queenstown – The closest domestic and international airport, with plenty of rental car and campervan options.
Why the Kepler Track is a Great Choice
One of the biggest advantages of the Kepler Track is how easy it is to access. This was a huge reason I chose it! If you're short on time during your trip to New Zealand, the Kepler Track is ideal because:
✅ It’s a loop track, eliminating the need for complicated transport.
✅ It’s easily accessible from major South Island destinations.
✅ It can be comfortably completed in just 2 nights.
If you're looking for an epic Great Walk that’s convenient and flexible, the Kepler Track is a perfect choice! ⛰️🚶♂️
WHAT TO PACK
Rucksack for The Kepler Track
Packing for the Kepler Track requires careful planning, as there are no shops along the way—you need to carry everything you'll need for the entire hike. I used my Quechua 70-litre rucksack from Decathlon, which I purchased a few years ago. While it’s no longer available, it provided plenty of space for all my essentials.
To make your packing easier, I’ve put together a handy Kepler Track packing guide, which you can download here!
DAY 1
As mentioned, I hiked the Kepler Track anti-clockwise, which is the most popular route. Day 1 took us from the Kepler Track car park to Luxmore Hut, officially listed as 13.8 km. However, according to my Strava stats (see below), we actually covered 16.94 km with an elevation gain of 879m, completing it in just under four hours. Throughout the hike, I noticed that the recorded distances were often a few kilometers longer than the official figures—something to keep in mind if, like me, you like to track your progress!
The first 5 km of the day winds through beautiful beech forest along the shore of Lake Te Anau before reaching Brod Bay campsite. We had planned to take a snack break here, but the relentless sandflies had other ideas, so we pressed on. From Brod Bay, the real climb begins, passing impressive limestone bluffs before breaking through the bushline to reveal breathtaking panoramic views of the Te Anau basin. Once above the bushline, it’s about another 30-45 minutes to reach the hut.
Day 1 Statistics - The Kepler Track
Alpine Parrot - photo taken by @axford.photography
My bunk in the Luxmore Hut - Kepler Track
Luxmore Hut, the newest of the Kepler Track huts, boasts incredible views and 54 bunks. As we were the first to arrive, we had our pick of the lot! Some bunks are in a communal sleeping layout, so be prepared to get cozy with fellow hikers. The hut is well-equipped with a water supply, flushing toilets, washbasins, and cold running water (but no showers!). There are even cooking facilities with fuel provided. The hut warden gave us a talk about hut etiquette, mountain safety and a much needed warning about the Keas. We spent the rest evening reading, chatting with other trampers, and watching an unforgettable sunset over the basin—staying at Luxmore Hut was definitely a highlight of the trek!
Kea’s:
Kea’s are New Zealand’s native alpine parrots and are known for their intelligence and curiosity. They have been caught stealing various items from hikers including boots, food and generally just causing chaos. Whilst they are incredibly fun to watch, eating human food is not good for their stomachs, so please avoid leaving anything out for them to take, because they will take it!
DAY 2
Day 2 took us from Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn campsite. The official distance is listed as 14.6 km, but we tracked 17 km—including a side trip to Luxmore Summit.
Day 2 Strava - Kepler Track
Leaving Luxmore Hut, the trail climbs to a ridge just below Mount Luxmore, offering stunning views across the South Fiord of Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Mountains. We made the detour to the summit, but the weather turned quickly, leaving us with little to see. Fortunately, as we continued along the breathtaking ridgeline, the clouds lifted, revealing incredible panoramic views.
Eventually, the trail descends back below the tree line and winds down toward Iris Burn campsite and hut. This final stretch felt never-ending, but the reward of reaching our destination made it worthwhile.
We had chosen to camp that night to save money, but in hindsight, it wasn’t the best decision. Seeing the cozy hut yet not being allowed inside (the warden is strict about this!) was a bit disheartening, and carrying our tent for the entire trek felt unnecessary. That said, the campsite does have a beautiful stream running past it, where we braved a quick—and freezing—dip.
The sandflies at Iris Burn are relentless, making us even more envious of those inside the hut. After a quick meal, we retreated to our tents for an early night—before the sun had even set!
DAY 3
Day 3 Strava - The Kepler Track
Our final day on the Kepler Track was a big one—hiking 26.33 km from Iris Burn campsite to the Rainbow Reach car park. With only three days to complete the trek, we opted to finish at Rainbow Reach rather than staying at the third and final hut, Moturau.
This section of the trail is relatively flat, with little elevation gain, winding through a stunning mix of landscapes. We walked through a dramatic gorge, lush lowland beech, and podocarp forest before reaching the shores of the beautiful Lake Manapouri. The views from Moturau Hut were spectacular—perfect for a well-earned picnic stop.
From the hut, the trail continues through delicate wetland terrain. While it’s described as an "easy" section, our tired legs and aching backs certainly begged to differ! The track then follows the Waiau River, leading to a swing bridge at Rainbow Reach—our final exit point. Here, we caught a bus back to Te Anau, exhausted but accomplished.
To celebrate, we treated ourselves to some much-needed pizzas from Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso—highly recommended if you’re ever in the area!
FINAL THOUGHTS
This hike will forever have a place in my mind, rent-free. While some sections felt like a bit of a slog, the breathtaking ridgeline walk and our stay at Luxmore Hut were nothing short of magical—like stepping into another world. If you're planning to tackle a Great Walk in New Zealand this season, make sure the Kepler Track is on your list—you won’t regret it!
Reading in the Luxmore Hut - Kepler Track
Rainbow Reach - The Kepler Track
HEY, I’M LOZ!
✈️🌍🥾🗻🎒
This is an insight into the life of a girl who likes to get lost. I write about all things travel and the outdoors. If you like my content please subscribe and if you really like it, please buy me a coffee so I can continue making content for you!