KEPLER TRACK

Duration: 3 – 4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 60 km (loop) 24 October 2017 – 30 April 2018 KEPLER ELEVATION PROFILE & TRACK GUIDE Forest Burn emergency 1,500 m shelter TRACK Luxmore Hut 54 bunks Hanging Valley From the beech-forested 1,000 m emergency shorelines of lakes and shelter , to tussock-covered ridgelines and spectacular Brod Bay 500 m Kepler 15 campsites alpine vistas, the Kepler Track Track is an incredible wilderness car park adventure above the clouds. 0 m 5.6 km / 1.5 hrs 8.2 km / 3.5 – 4.5 hrs 14.6 km / 5 – 6 hrs Forming a loop track from Te Anau, it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the most accessible of Fiordland’s Great Walks in Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

The Kepler Track is circular and can be walked in either direction. The track is well marked and signposted, but some sections are steep and rough Day 1: Kepler Track car park to Day 2: Luxmore Hut to Luxmore Hut Iris Burn Hut and may be muddy and slippery. Poor weather conditions can make this walk challenging, even in the Great 5 – 6 hours, 13.8 km 5 – 6 hours, 14.6 km Walks season. Your journey begins with a stroll through the Start your day on top of the This guide describes a 4-day hike for beech forest along the shore of , world. From the hut, you’ll independent, non-guided walkers the largest body of fresh water in Australasia, climb to a ridge just below Mount Luxmore. In good during the Great Walks season to Brod Bay. A challenging climb under impressive limestone bluffs takes you above weather there are stunning (24 October 2017 – 30 April 2018). the bushline to panoramic views of the Te Anau views across the south fiord of basin and surrounding mountains. Luxmore Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Hut is a 45 min walk from the bush line. Mountains. A welcoming sight Outside the Great Walks after a day on the tops, Iris season (May to October) Burn Hut is situated in a large walking conditions are tussock clearing. more hazardous – see the safety information.

COVER: Descending from Hanging Valley Shelter, Duration: 3 – 4 days John Strother (www.panafoot.com) Distance: 60 km (loop) ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Day 1 & 2 photos, Daniel Deans; Day 3, Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) Great Walks season: Day 4 Kepler Wetland, DOC

24 October 2017 – MAIN PHOTO: View from Luxmore, 30 April 2018 Tyler Ray Photography (tylermilesray.com) greatwalks.co.nzgreatwalks.co.nz 08000800 694 694 732 732

hut campsite shelter car park

Iris Burn Hut 50 bunks 15 campsites Rocky Point Rainbow Reach Kepler Track Shelter Moturau Hut car park 40 bunks car park

16.2 km / 5 – 6 hrs 6 km / 1.5 – 2 hrs 9.5 km / 2.5 – 3.5 hrs

Day 3: Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut Day 4: Moturau Hut to the Kepler Track car park

5 – 6 hours, 16.2 km 4 hours – 5 hours 30 minutes, 15.5 km Experience ever-changing scenery as the track The last day is easy walking across a unique and fragile takes you over a low saddle, then down past a wetland. The track then follows the terrace large slip caused by heavy rain to Rocky Point. to the swing bridge at Rainbow Reach. You can leave the You’ll then wind through a gorge and lowland track here and catch a shuttle bus to Te Anau, or continue beech and podocarp forest, before reaching the alongside the Waiau River to the Kepler Track car park. shore of beautiful . The beach- side Moturau Hut has stunning views of the lake. HIGHLIGHTS

Air New Zealand Photo: Andrew Walmsley partners with the (andrewwalmsleyphotography.com) Department of Conservation to help bring native birds back to the beautiful Great Walks.

1 Watch out for the cheeky kea – the world’s only alpine parrot, found in the high country and known for its inquisitive nature. Photo: stokedforsaturday.com 2 Explore the fascinating Luxmore Caves, a 10 minute walk from Luxmore Hut.

3 A 20 minute walk from Iris Burn Hut leads to the isolated Iris Burn Falls, perfect for a refreshing dip after the day’s walk.

Conservation story

4 Students from Fiordland’s five centres Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) of learning are helping restore the unique environment of the Kepler Track and bring back its birdsong in the award-winning community conservation education-based ‘Kids Restore the Kepler’ project. With funding from major sponsor Kids Restore NZ, CTOS and Distinction Hotels NZ, the project is led Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) by the Fiordland Conservation Trust in partnership with DOC and the learning centres. kidsrestorethekepler.co.nz

5 Tussockland is a spectacular feature of the alpine areas of the Kepler Track, providing a flowing foreground to the expansive views.

6 Watch for the New Zealand falcon/ kārearea, one of New Zealand’s most Photo: Michelle Crouchley Photo: Andrew Maloney spectacular birds.

HEAPHY TRACK Takaka

Motueka

Karamea NELSON Nelson Picton Visitor Centre Wakefield

BLENHEIM

Westport Murchison St Arnaud Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

Punakaiki Reefton Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

Kaikoura Greymouth Hanmer Springs

Kumara

Hokitika

Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre

Oxford Rangiora

Kaiapoi Franz Josef/Waiau Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre CHRISTCHURCH Ōtautahi/Christchurch Visitor Centre Methven

Aoraki/Mount Cook Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Akaroa Visitor Centre Haast ASHBURTON Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre

Geraldine greatwalks.co.nz Fairlie 0800 694 732 Temuka Twizel GETTING THERE Makaroa TIMARU You can access the track from the following locations. Sign me up! What do I do?  Kepler Track car park: 5 km drive from Te Anau.   Visitor Centre: 50 minutes walk along the lake front to the entrance Wanaka Kurow Waimate Milford Sound Tititea/Mount Aspiring of the track. NationalStart off Park at Visitor greatwalks.co.nz/ Centre ROUTEBURN 1 kepler for more information.  Rainbow Reach car park: TRACK Glenorchy 12 km drive from Te Anau. Arrowtown Shuttle buses provide a daily Cromwell service to the entry and QUEENSTOWN OAMARU exit points on the track Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ Ranfurly Queenstown Visitor Centre during the Great Walks 2 Book Clydeyour huts and campsites season. A scheduled online or Alexandraat a DOC Visitor Centre. boat service also

offers transport KEPLER TRACK to Brod Bay. Palmerston Te Anau Refer over page for Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre transport options Waikouaiti and services. Book your transport to and 3 from the track – operators are Mossburn listed online and in this brochure. 0 25 50 km Lumsden DUNEDIN Fairfield Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre Dipton

Buy your food and PLACES TO STAY GORE pack yourMilton 4 bags – download the Great Walks Winton Mataurapacking list and makeBalclutha sure you have everything you need for a 4-day independent unguided walk. Kaka Point Riverton/ Aparima INVERCARGILL

Read up on safety and make 5 sure you’re well prepared for your journey and changeable weather Photo: John Strother (panafoot.com) at greatwalks.co.nz/kepler. Oban Make sure you have left your Stewart Island/ Rakiura National Park DOC operates 3 huts and 2 campsites along theRakiura Kepler Track, which mustVisitor Centre intentions with a trusted contact at adventuresmart.org.nz. be booked in advance during the Great Walks season (24 October 2017 – 30 April 2018) to avoid disappointment.

Great Walks huts  $65 per adult per night; 17 years and under free (booking required). Visit the closest DOC Visitor During the Great Walks season the huts have bunks, mattresses, 6 Centre (Te Anau) to pick up your heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting, and tickets and official track guide, cold running water. A DOC ranger is in residence. The huts do not and chat with the friendly staff for provide food, cooking utensils or showers. the latest weather forecast and track conditions. Outside the Great Walks season facilities are greatly reduced and there are no DOC rangers. Bookings are not required, huts and campsites are first come, first served and fees are reduced. See the website for details.

Great Walks campsites All set! Lace up your boots $20 per adult per night; 17 years and under free (booking required). 7 and get hiking. Don’t forget to Great Walks campsites offer basic facilities including toilets, sinks and share your experience on a water supply. Some also have picnic tables and cooking shelters. facebook.com/GreatWalks. KEPLER TRACK. HASSLE FREE HIKING.

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Forward Peak

Luxmore Hut Hanging Valley Mount Tinsley 1547m 1472m Mount Luxmore Luxmore Cave Forest Burn Lake Te I ris Anau Bu rn Iris Burn Waterfall Brod Bay Boat tra Te Anau B oa t T Iris Burn Hut ran sp ort 1628m J A C K S KEPLER MOUNTAINS O N C P oa E l C re ek Te Rua-o-te-moko / A K Fiordland National S 1453m Fiordland Park Visitor Centre Ir is B Dock Bay u r 1451m n National Park ENTRY/EXIT Kepler Track n r u B Carpark t s e r o Great Walk hut F Rocky Point 9945 Great Walk campsite 1112m Harts Hill Shelter 655m

Visitor Centre

Shelter toilet – toilets are also available at all huts and campsites

Boat transport

! ! ! Walking track

Great Walk/ Moturau Hut Tramping track ENTRY/EXIT 411m Shallow Bay State Highway 95 549m Rainbow Reach Lake Other roads 527m Richter Carpark Lake Manapouri r 0 1 Km e iv ¯ R SH95 to Manapouri 582m u ia a W

Know before you go Kepler Track safety It is important to plan your trip thoroughly to ensure you The information in this brochure relates to the Kepler Track in the Great stay safe, and have a great time. Before you go, know Walks season (24 October 2017 to 30 April 2018). the Outdoor Safety Code – 5 Simple rules to help you  This track is not recommended for children under the age of 10, due #makeithome. to the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather 1. Plan your trip. Travel times vary greatly in New conditions. An overnight stay at Moturau Hut is a more suitable option Zealand, so carefully planning your route is essential. for the whole family. Seek local information about what to take, and allow  Fiordland National Park is in an area with high rainfall and changeable enough time for the journey. Book accommodation, weather patterns. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy transport and transfers to the start/end of track early. rain can occur at any time of year. 2. Tell someone your plans. Safety is your responsibility.  The Kepler Track has complex avalanche terrain and the risk of Leave your intentions – including your trip details and avalanche can extend into December. During the Great Walks season, emergency contact information – with a trusted contact. DOC manages this risk to a low level and may close the alpine section It could save your life if things go wrong. Head to of the track between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut if avalanche advernturesmart.org.nz for more information. conditions exist. 3. Be aware of the weather. New Zealand weather is  Go to greatwalks.co.nz/kepler ‘Know before you go’ section very changeable. Plan for the worst, expect the best. for detailed safety information, and ‘What to take’ section for a Check metservice.com for the most up to date info. comprehensive gear list. 4. Know your limits. Always follow the track markers and signposted tracks. Off-track navigation is not recommended for novice walkers in New Zealand. A good level of fitness is required to walk the track. You You are strongly recommended NOT to attempt this track can expect to walk up to 7 hours a day depending on between early May and late October (outside the Great Walks your fitness level. If you get into trouble don’t make season). The winter environment in Fiordland is very cold and a bad situation worse. Think STAR – Stop / Think / wet, with ice, snow and short daylight hours. Avalanche-prone bridges Assess / React. across some major watercourses are removed. DOC does not manage 5. Take sufficient supplies. With NZ’s changeable hazards such as flooding or avalanches. Walking the Kepler Track at this conditions many hikers are frequently caught out by time should only be attempted by people who are very experienced in isolated local conditions. Carry – and expect to use – the New Zealand backcountry and have navigation, river crossing and rain jackets all year round. Take an extra day’s supply alpine skills. Alpine-specific trip planning is critical for you and your of food and an emergency shelter. Don’t rely on group safety. The consequences are severe if not correctly managed. cellphone signal alone for communication. Food and In addition, facilities are greatly reduced – including no gas for drinks are not available to purchase at Great Walks cooking, a limited water supply, and no rangers or emergency radio huts or campsites. Plan to be self-sufficient. facilities. For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. at greatwalks.co.nz/kepler.

Remember – your safety is your responsibility R112670

Published by: Department of Conservation, Marketing Team, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand | May 2017 Editing and design: Publishing Team, DOC National Office * Prices are accurate at the time of publication.