Kepler Track Day Hikes
The Kepler Track Great Walk is located within a short drive from Te Anau, a small lake-side town connecting Queenstown and Milford Sound on New Zealand’s South island. If you want to discover some of New Zealand’s most stunning beech forests, clear blue lakes and granite peaks, without fighting over photography spots with crowds of tourists – then the Kepler Track is the hike for you!
The Kepler Track at a glance:
- Starts and ends at the Control Gates on Lake Te Anau.
- 60 kilometres long (37 miles) A to A (loop) track.
- Typically takes three nights, four days to complete.
What we’ll do:
Control Gates to Brod Bay, or from the Control Gates to Rainbow Reach
Which trips include the Kepler Track day walk?
Pristine New Zealand – 13 days, Auckland to Queenstown.
Where is the Kepler Track?
The Kepler Track begins at the south outlet of Lake Te Anau, where the Waiau River flows through the Control Gates. These Control Gates regulate the flow of water between Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri, and the West Arm hydroelectric power station then harnesses that energy for conversion to electrical energy, for distribution all over New Zealand.
The Kepler Track is a loop, which is one of the reasons that it is a popular choice for independent hikers – they don’t need to worry about a transfer from the other end of the track. To find the Kepler Track car park, turn off State Highway 95 onto Golf Course Road, and the south end of the lake, and parking is on the right hand side. You’ll also find a picnic shelter, and public toilets at the trail head.
What’s so special about the Kepler Track?
The Kepler Track is a stunningly beautiful walk, and on a ‘Pristine New Zealand’ trip with us you can expect to walk one of either Control Gates to Brod Bay, or Control Gates to Rainbow Reach. The decision as to which walk is favourable will depend on weather conditions, timings, and ability level of the group. Though rest assured, both of these sections are stunning.
On the section between the Control Gates and Rainbow Reach you’ll immerse yourself immediately, and for most of the 9km (5.6 miles) section, in beech forest. The huge trees stand like sentinels, keeping an eye on one of Fiordland National Park’s most prized activities. With the forest to your right, you’ll walk with the deep green waters of the Waiau River to your left, rarely straying far enough from it to be out of earshot of the gentle rapids. If you pause for a minute or two, you’re likely to find the New Zealand black robin hopping around near your feet, they like to investigate the ground where walkers may have stirred up insects.
The Control Gates to Rainbow Reach section is an opportunity to find your inner calm. We’d recommend walking by yourself for a while, or with a loved one, in silence; listening to the river, the birdsong, and the sound of the spongy trail beneath your feet is surely good for the soul.
The other section we’ll walk, is to Brod Bay, which means embarking on the Kepler Track in an anticlockwise direction. On a hot day this is a great day walk to choose, as you’ll be skirting the shores of Lake Te Anau all the way along the 3km (1.9 miles) section to the Brod Bay Campsite – wherever the lake is accessible is a good place for a swim! Again, you’ll be walking amongst native beech forest, of red, silver, and hard varieties, and again there’s ample opportunity to find calm and quiet along the way. The Brod Bay campsite marks the halfway point, where we might stop to eat lunch, or boil up some water for a coffee or tea! There’s drinking water here to replenish your bottles for the return journey, as well as toilets.
Whichever day walk you choose on the Kepler Track, you can expect thick, mossy forest, an abundance of birdsong, and lots of personal space to reflect and appreciate your life and your loved ones.
For more information about the Kepler Track, and to see how we explore it on our New Zealand Walking Tours simply request a free travel brochure below – or scroll down to see our trips.
Reviews
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Simon Potter
3 years ago
This was fantastic getting out in the outbacks. Our guide Ellie was amazing she knew so much about the Trees, Birds, Tracks etc. We were so lucky to have her as our guide.
This was fantastic getting out in the outbacks. Our guide Ellie was amazing she knew so much about the Trees, Birds, Tracks etc.<br />
We were so lucky to have her as our guide. Because I was the oldest there (79) she made sure I was ok for the steep part of the tracks.<br />
Not only was she great as a guide but also great driver and cook. She knew all the restaurants to go to for great meals. To have her come along on most walks and boat trip was a great help .read more -
Erina Potter
3 years ago
We were so looked after by Ellie: she treated us like her own family. The best thing of this holiday was that I didn't need to do any organisation, it was all managed so well.
We were so looked after by Ellie: she treated us like her own family.<br />
The best thing of this holiday was that I didn't need to do any organisation, it was all managed so well. We seemed to get the best places to stay, the best restaurants to go to, even the best 'home cooked' meals.read more -
Tina Alberg
4 years ago
This was our 2nd visit to New Zealand. The first, in 2001, was a month long self driven tour of both islands with emphasis on the South and included taking the full escorted Milford Track adventure. It was the lifetime trip, at that time.
This Active Adventure trip outdid it. And the reason is the tour guides and the truly magnificent job they did in following the Active Adventure plan and in making seamless changes to it as required by weather and other problems along the way. Clare and Emma were there every day in every way necessary to the success of the trip. Wonderful.......read more
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Lori Pickens
4 years ago
Ms. Holly and Ms. Claire were the guides of a lifetime. They made all the difference between an okay trip and very eventful.
Ms. Holly and Ms. Claire were the guides of a lifetime. They made all the difference between an okay trip and very eventful.read more
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Jan Seals
4 years ago
This was a bucket list trip for us, and it was wonderful! A great overview of both islands. Well planned, great food, good accommodations & wonderful guides.
This was a bucket list trip for us, and it was wonderful! A great overview of both islands. Well planned, great food, good accommodations & wonderful guides.read more
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Cheryl Langford
4 years ago
This trip was above and beyond anything we imagined. The personal contact that continued from the first moment of booking to each day of our trip was very helpful. Our questions were answered before we could think of them in the kindest possible way.
This trip was above and beyond anything we imagined. The personal contact that continued from the first moment of booking to each day of our trip was very helpful. Our questions were answered before we could think of them in the kindest possible way. We were treated like honored family by our guides (hosts), Holly and Claire. They completely tailored the trip to our needs and desires on a day to day basis, as necessary. As amazing as the natural beauty of NZ is, the people we met through Active Adventures were even more so!read more
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Don Gordon
4 years ago
I have long wanted to visit the Fiordland/Southland area. My AA trip gave me a great overview of it. A great mix of food, wine, fun, and fitness. Thanks.
read more
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Eric Nodiff
4 years ago
New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country and we experienced many of the highlights of the south island. The tour guides, Clare and Emma, were fantastic in every way and ensured a terrific experience.
New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country and we experienced many of the highlights of the south island. The tour guides, Clare and Emma, were fantastic in every way and ensured a terrific experience. The views of Kaikoura Peninsula and Lake Wakatipu and Milford Sound will be engrained in my head forever. The hiking was great and the food was delish throughout the trip. I highly recommend this trip!read more
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Karen Nodiff
4 years ago
A trip to expand your mind meeting challenges and wonderful new people
in a gorgeous country while eating great food! A trip to expand your mind meeting challenges and wonderful new people<br />
in a gorgeous country while eating great food!read more -
Claudia Jurowski
4 years ago
This was a lovely tour with many especially high quality amenities such as the superior guides, Ellie and Lauren, the extraordinary meals, great wine and quality adventures.
Because of an extreme weather event we were unable to follow our original itinerary but great efforts were made to include equal quality activities. The luxury of this tour is not in the hotels or transportation but in the personal attention from the guides and quality food and drink.read more
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