The Kepler track***

Information

According to DOC classifications the Kepler track is a 60km loop. It will take you 3-4 days and is made for intermediate walkers. (Click here for more information.) The track goes across tussic and bush. It has great views of Lake Te Anau. You can go explore the Luxmore Caves at Luxmore hut and go to the Iris Burn Falls at Iris Burn Hut. If you feel up for it you can walk to rainbows reach from Moturau. The seasonal restrictions this year in the Great Walks season are 24th October 2017 - 30th April 2018. Outside the Great Walks season is 4th May 2017 - 23rd October 2017. Mt luxmore peak is the Kepler track’s highest point reaching 1,472 M. (Dogs are not allowed on the track.)

My experience

To Luxmore hut

It was a steady climb up to the Luxmore hut. At that point we were going through bush and tussic. Some places it was rocky but most of the track was well formed and easy to Walk on. I was very windy as we came up along the top and I was nearly blown over.

The hut at night creaked in the growing and dying wind. For me it was hard to get to sleep even though I had ear plugs. Eventually I got to sleep.

To Iris Burn hut

To the Iris Burn hut it is a journey along the ridges of Mt Luxmore when we went it was raining and sleeting and the wind was bringing it hard into my face. It stung! I was told by my parents not to go far ahead. Eventually we started going down the mountainside towards the hut.

Nice and peaceful night with good bunks and I slept well.

To Moturau hut

The trip to Moturoa is mostly flat but the are some up and down pieces. Well formed track. It is long but there are some good views along the way. Overall a nice trip.

In the afternoon we ate in a well sized kitchen and slept comfortably.

Trip Home

If you came through our way you could either go right out or come out at Rainbows Reach. We decided to go out Rainbows Reach which is shorter. Once we finished I thought about our walk. I thought that it was definitely worth it. It had great huts, well made tracks and excellent views.