Kepler Track
Kepler Track, Te Anau: Address, Phone Number, Kepler Track Reviews: 5/5
Kepler Track
Kepler Track
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
30 within 5 kms
MacKinnon Room
259
3.3 km$$ - $$$ • International • European • New Zealand
Redcliff Restaurant & Bar
1,882
3.5 km$$ - $$$ • Contemporary • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
Miles Better Pies
1,045
3.4 km$ • Bakeries • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
The Moose Bar & Restaurant
531
3.3 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub • New Zealand
Bao Now
326
3.7 km$ • Quick Bites • Fast food • Fusion
Bailiez Cafe
479
3.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
Olive Tree Cafe
849
3.5 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Fast food • New Zealand
Sandfly Cafe
1,193
3.7 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • New Zealand
Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso Da Toni
1,346
3.6 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • New Zealand • Neapolitan
Kepler Restaurant
925
3.7 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Spanish • New Zealand
Attractions
13 within 10 kms
Luxmore Hut Track
11
0.2 kmHiking Trails
Lake 2 Lake Trail
26
0.4 kmBiking Trails
Lake Te Anau
1,094
2.6 kmBodies of Water
Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
297
2.2 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Punanga Manu o Te Anau
104
2.2 kmNature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
103
3.3 kmVisitor Centres
Ivan Wilson Park
25
3.1 kmBodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Te Rua-o-te-moko / Fiordland National Park Visitor
10
3.2 kmVisitor Centres
Lake Mistletoe
3
3.8 kmBodies of Water
Trout Observatory
14
3.2 kmAquariums
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Popular mentions
5.0
506 reviews
Excellent
404
Very good
84
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Kim G
10 contributions
Dec 2021
We had a guided heli-hike with a company called Trips & Tramps. We helicoptered up to the Luxmore Hut. We walked up into the snow, and then down the mountain to the beach below. Be prepared for all weather on this hike. It's beautiful like everything in Fiordland. We'd highly recommend Trips & Tramps, and the half day Kepler experience (this was part of a 3 days. 3 tracks experience) - fantastic!!
Written 7 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Henwoods24
Christchurch, New Zealand347 contributions
Nov 2021
We got to tramp 8kms, and return on this wonderful track. This may be one of the best we have done to date, The rain forest, the moss’s and ferns and fungi and trees and the track were all amazing. You have to give this a go.
Written 24 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
amandasjostrand
New Zealand5 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
What an experience! Fiordland national park is a stunning place. If you are lucky enough to get a clear sky on the day from Luxmore to Iris Burn hut the views over the lake and national park is simply stunning. The track is very well maintained and easy to follow. It does get exhausting at times but if I can do it I’m sure anyone can. The side trips to Luxmore caves, Luxmore summit and Iris burn waterfall is well worth it. Hut wardens all lovely especially Phil in Moturau hut. If he offers you the “long hut talk” except and enjoy.
Written 14 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Antoinette S
Christchurch, New Zealand6 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
Easy Hike transferred our car to rainbow reach. They were great communicators and run a fabulous local business. Thanks for your efficient helpful service EH!
Written 31 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bandj
Auckland Central, New Zealand41 contributions
Dec 2020
Get all the views from Beech forest on the lakes to stunning Alpine views, good walk not too hard but you should be fit. Great Huts.
Written 1 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chibby
4 contributions
Apr 2021
We just spent the most beautiful 4 days in beech forest, alpine ridges, lake shore huts; and epic views! The track is really well maintained and the huts are comfortable and well appointed with gas stoves, flush toilets, and running water. I cannot reccommend this track more highly. The weather helped with 4 clear blue sky days. Just do it!
Written 13 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anna C
Queenstown, New Zealand3 contributions
Apr 2021
We had the most wonderful time hiking the Kepler, thanks to Easyhike. They made the entire thing so effortless. Not having to worry about what to pack and whether I'd packed enough was an absolute treat, as was seeing my car waiting for me in the Rainbow Reach carpark at the end of the hike. The gear was top quality and dealing with the team a breeze. I cannot recommend them enough.
Written 9 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bright77
Auckland, New Zealand5 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Went with my partner, he has done a couple
Before but it was my first time. We
Would consider ourselves to have fair to moderate fitness. We walked the full Kepler track (carpark/control gate to carpark/control
Gate. From start at 8am to Luxmore hut it took us 5 hours 15 which included photo stops/snack/toilet break). You spend most of this day climbing. Arrived at 1:15pm which allowed us to choose a bed in the smaller bunk room (approx 20 spaces).
Luxmore hut is the nicest out of the 3 huts
With amazing views at the top.
10 minute walk from the hut is the caves so head
torches are essential.
Day 2 you are spending half the day climbing and the rest of it descending down. It took us 6 hours 15 minutes that included the walk up to Mount Luxmore summit (stop at the 2 shelters and multiple stops for photos).
If you have bad knees, take voltaren pills
and take walking poles (this will help but it is still
a tough day on the legs).
Once you arrive at Iris Burn hut, take the ice cold dip in the river (really helps the legs and
Refreshes yourself after a hard day).
Day 3 is relatively a flat walk apart from one or two small climbs (you spend all of this walk Walking through the bush). This section took us 4 hours 30 minutes including photo stops and a snack break at the halfway point shelter.
Day 4 we decided to walk out to the control gates and we are glad we did as we found the last section a nice walk through the bush and along the lake to the control gates.
This part took us 1 hour 30 minutes to Rainbow Reach where we stopped for 10 minutes. Then continued to the end for another 2 hours 15 minutes to the control gates.
Amazing trip, all huts have gas cookers, flushing toilets with toilet paper/dishwasher liquid/cloth (just need dish wash towel to dry your dishes).
Take ear plugs, head torches.
Although we were incredibly lucky with the weather we recommend you take wet weather gear/ pack liner and external pack liner.
Before but it was my first time. We
Would consider ourselves to have fair to moderate fitness. We walked the full Kepler track (carpark/control gate to carpark/control
Gate. From start at 8am to Luxmore hut it took us 5 hours 15 which included photo stops/snack/toilet break). You spend most of this day climbing. Arrived at 1:15pm which allowed us to choose a bed in the smaller bunk room (approx 20 spaces).
Luxmore hut is the nicest out of the 3 huts
With amazing views at the top.
10 minute walk from the hut is the caves so head
torches are essential.
Day 2 you are spending half the day climbing and the rest of it descending down. It took us 6 hours 15 minutes that included the walk up to Mount Luxmore summit (stop at the 2 shelters and multiple stops for photos).
If you have bad knees, take voltaren pills
and take walking poles (this will help but it is still
a tough day on the legs).
Once you arrive at Iris Burn hut, take the ice cold dip in the river (really helps the legs and
Refreshes yourself after a hard day).
Day 3 is relatively a flat walk apart from one or two small climbs (you spend all of this walk Walking through the bush). This section took us 4 hours 30 minutes including photo stops and a snack break at the halfway point shelter.
Day 4 we decided to walk out to the control gates and we are glad we did as we found the last section a nice walk through the bush and along the lake to the control gates.
This part took us 1 hour 30 minutes to Rainbow Reach where we stopped for 10 minutes. Then continued to the end for another 2 hours 15 minutes to the control gates.
Amazing trip, all huts have gas cookers, flushing toilets with toilet paper/dishwasher liquid/cloth (just need dish wash towel to dry your dishes).
Take ear plugs, head torches.
Although we were incredibly lucky with the weather we recommend you take wet weather gear/ pack liner and external pack liner.
Written 31 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Abby E
Auckland Central, New Zealand8 contributions
Feb 2021
We had a great trip on the Kepler, really loved it.
3 of us women (in our 40s - & we think quite fit !)
Left control gates at 1.30pm, about 1.20hr to Bord Bay. Got to Luxmore Hut at about 6pm.
Weather was terrible, rained, & v cold / exposed over the alpine section. We were well prepared though so all good. Welcomed to the warmth of Luxmore Hut, really well set up there (a bit of rope for multipurpose use & makeshift washing line would have been god but actually , there was space on the drying racks & our gear was pretty much dry by the next day !)
We were lucky on day 2&3 , it was cloudy so no views, but NO wind or rain so that was great !
Day 2 we found quite hard & I think DoC underestimates how hard this is ! Took us 3 hrs to get from Hanging Valley shelter to Iris Burn and we were exhausted!
No views to the lake for us but the cloud cleared a bit for us to see how far we walked along the ridge line! So nice and impressive.
Rangers are great, welcoming, so knowledgeable,
We saw a rock wren, kea, and 1 person at Iris Burn saw a kiwi & even got a photo (Not us!)
Would have loved a swim in the lake at the last hut but we were rushing to get the shuttle from rainbow reach,
We did this in 3 days & 2 nights, walking from Iris Burn to Rainbow reach on the last day, (22km) - do-able & long & beautiful !
We really loved our trip.
I’d like to walk to luxmore hut for the night and then walk the ridge line & back in a day to see the views. I wouldn’t like to walk to iris burn again, but I did it and it was all good (don’t count the traps on your way to Iris Burn Hut, it feels like you will never get there ! )
Great work DoC - Thankyou , already planning my next Great Walk !
3 of us women (in our 40s - & we think quite fit !)
Left control gates at 1.30pm, about 1.20hr to Bord Bay. Got to Luxmore Hut at about 6pm.
Weather was terrible, rained, & v cold / exposed over the alpine section. We were well prepared though so all good. Welcomed to the warmth of Luxmore Hut, really well set up there (a bit of rope for multipurpose use & makeshift washing line would have been god but actually , there was space on the drying racks & our gear was pretty much dry by the next day !)
We were lucky on day 2&3 , it was cloudy so no views, but NO wind or rain so that was great !
Day 2 we found quite hard & I think DoC underestimates how hard this is ! Took us 3 hrs to get from Hanging Valley shelter to Iris Burn and we were exhausted!
No views to the lake for us but the cloud cleared a bit for us to see how far we walked along the ridge line! So nice and impressive.
Rangers are great, welcoming, so knowledgeable,
We saw a rock wren, kea, and 1 person at Iris Burn saw a kiwi & even got a photo (Not us!)
Would have loved a swim in the lake at the last hut but we were rushing to get the shuttle from rainbow reach,
We did this in 3 days & 2 nights, walking from Iris Burn to Rainbow reach on the last day, (22km) - do-able & long & beautiful !
We really loved our trip.
I’d like to walk to luxmore hut for the night and then walk the ridge line & back in a day to see the views. I wouldn’t like to walk to iris burn again, but I did it and it was all good (don’t count the traps on your way to Iris Burn Hut, it feels like you will never get there ! )
Great work DoC - Thankyou , already planning my next Great Walk !
Written 28 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Superwoman888
Auckland Central, New Zealand316 contributions
Feb 2021
Joined a local tramping club to hike the Kepler on a 4 day trip.
Weather was cold on Day 1 to Luxmore Hut and colder with strong winds, drizzle of snow and sleet at start of Day 2 to Iris Burn Hut, improving as day went on.
Good weather on Day 3 to Moturau Hut and on Day 4 to end of track at Control Gate.
Mix of individual bunks and shared bunks in all the huts. Best hut of the three was Luxmore Hut.
Sandflies were bearable at IB Hut and M Hut. Take insect repellant.
No electrical outlets at any of the huts so need to carry a power bank for charging phone.
Require a head torch for lighting in the bunk rooms and toilet, hut lighting and heating (from fireplace ) only in communal kitchen/dining.
No showers, indoor unisex flushing toilets with toilet paper, washbasins run cold water only.
Gas for cooking provided in hut, but no cooking utensils or cutlery,
NOTE - hut facilities not provided year round.
No drying room as such but there is a fireplace in the kitchen/dining area.
Ranger present at each hut over summer walking season only.
Views from the track are stunning especially in alpine section. Delightful alpine flora, cool strolling through the beech forests, podocarps and ferns. Relaxing walk beside lake and river.
Day 2 easily the best but can be the worst day because long downhill section was tough going on the knees. Take plenty of water especially in hot weather.
Be prepared and enjoy!
Weather was cold on Day 1 to Luxmore Hut and colder with strong winds, drizzle of snow and sleet at start of Day 2 to Iris Burn Hut, improving as day went on.
Good weather on Day 3 to Moturau Hut and on Day 4 to end of track at Control Gate.
Mix of individual bunks and shared bunks in all the huts. Best hut of the three was Luxmore Hut.
Sandflies were bearable at IB Hut and M Hut. Take insect repellant.
No electrical outlets at any of the huts so need to carry a power bank for charging phone.
Require a head torch for lighting in the bunk rooms and toilet, hut lighting and heating (from fireplace ) only in communal kitchen/dining.
No showers, indoor unisex flushing toilets with toilet paper, washbasins run cold water only.
Gas for cooking provided in hut, but no cooking utensils or cutlery,
NOTE - hut facilities not provided year round.
No drying room as such but there is a fireplace in the kitchen/dining area.
Ranger present at each hut over summer walking season only.
Views from the track are stunning especially in alpine section. Delightful alpine flora, cool strolling through the beech forests, podocarps and ferns. Relaxing walk beside lake and river.
Day 2 easily the best but can be the worst day because long downhill section was tough going on the knees. Take plenty of water especially in hot weather.
Be prepared and enjoy!
Written 23 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lucie
Northamptonshire, UK5 contributions
Hi Would anyone be interested in buying 2 tickets for kepler huts starting 3rd Feb sleeping in the huts for 3 nights? My and my partner are unable to go undoerinately.
Has anyone camped near Luxmore Hut? We missed out on booking the hut aren’t able to walk from Brod Bay to Iris Burn in one go. Anyone camped somewhere in between? I’m aware of the 500m rule so wondered if anyone knows of good camping spots near Luxmore.
penelopemckee
Christchurch, New Zealand
Do the huts have cooking facilities e.g. stove, pots and pans please?
MattDan89
Boambee East, Australia48 contributions
They have stoves and gas.
Need to take your own pots, pans, utensils and matches
jujumay2017
Singapore, Singapore
Hello, Is it advisable to trek on our own or better to join a guided tour?
Pros & Cons?
waynet134201
Dubai, United Arab Emirates6 contributions
No sure there is a guided tour. Not needed anyway. A reasonable level of fitness is still required for this hike. But the tracks are superb. Head to the Luxmore hut for your first night, be prepared for 3-4 hour climb. The view however, will knock your socks off once clear of the trees. Then get an early start on day two, you still have about 2 hours of climbing to do, but you will catch the early morning views as the sun gets up above the horizon and starts bouncing off the Southern Alps to the West. Take a good Sandfly repellent for huts two and three.
MattDan89
Boambee East, Australia48 contributions
Hi there.
Just wondering what recommendations you all have for the track?
Good food to take?
Did you use hiking poles? 1 or 2? Did you need them?
Kolan C
Hamilton, New Zealand86 contributions
You can see the accomodation details here doc.govt.nz
Because of the weight , I carried most the dried food .
I had two poles I like bit of balance and it helped me a lot .
fooodandthings
Sydney, Australia52 contributions
Hi, I'll be hiking the Kepler and Routeburn tracks later this year in December. I was just wondering if people had any suggestions on whether it's worth/safe bringing a camera (DSLR)?
Will this just be extra weight? Are iPhone quality photos good enough?
Thank you!
Andrew C
Oatley, Australia31 contributions
Definitely a camera if you have one. I used an iPhone but as I took lots of photos it had to keep getting turned on and off. If the weather is good, Day 2 of Kepler from Luxmore Hut is spectacular and a photographers paradise.
Rohan M
Adelaide, Australia1 contribution
Hi guys,
We are planning on doing the Kepler in April around Easter. What can we expect in terms of weather and number of hikers? Is this one of the better walks for mountain views and peaks on the south island?
Cheers,
Helen S
Market Harborough, UK256 contributions
Also consider going to Glenorchy (near Queenstown) and checking out walking the mountains there. I believe you can walk west to the Routeburn track/Milford Sound National Park. Am sure.that would be much more spectacular.
Two superb day walks on the South Island are the Ben Lomond Trail in Queenstown. Start at lake level or by the gondola. The half day walk to the Rob Roy Glacier near Lake Wanaka was excellent, too, and well worth the drive down a very, very long unpaved road and crossing some fords.
Unable to comment on the weather as we were there in December and January. Do visit a local pharmacist though and buy sand fly spray. They regularly bit my partner and got me at Rob Roy!
Frank H
Bristol, UK34 contributions
Hi Julia.
I realise you did the Kepler nearly 3 years ago now but we'll be tackling it same week/month as you (end Jan in 2017) so your experience will help greatly. Climate (and hence equipment/weight):
1. What temp was it at night in the Luxmore & Iris Burn huts - do you think a lightweight 2 season sleeping bags would be OK?
2. Would you recommend taking full, and therefore heavy, Goretex type rain jackets? We usually use our down/warm kit for walking if chilly and put on lightweight ponchos in wet weather. I've found these fine in the Andes and Annapurna but are the winds really much stronger here which could cause a problem with Ponchos?
3. Any other tips for equipment to minimise weight?
Your advice would be really welcome.
Regards
Frank
Beck00
Queanbeyan, Australia47 contributions
Hi, we are doing the Kepler track late November and are trying to decide what sleeping bag (in terms of tempature rating) we should take. We are booked into the huts, so if they are heated this will affect our choice. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
DainaZvi
Stuttgart, Germany62 contributions
Huts are not heated, and the nights can get quite cold, even in summer. Better go with the warmer sleeping bag. Or cuddle :D
