Plan and prepare KEPLER TRACK - DOC

1 plan and prepare KEPLER TRACK . Duration: 3 4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 60 km (loop) 23 October 2018 30 April 2019. KEPLER ELEVATION PROFILE & TRACK GUIDE. TRACK . Forest Burn emergency 1,500 m shelter Luxmore Hut 54 bunks Hanging From the beech-forested 1,000 m Valley emergency shorelines of lakes Te Anau shelter and Manapouri, to tussock- covered ridgelines and KEPLER TRACK Brod Bay 500 m car park spectacular alpine vistas, the 30 campers KEPLER TRACK is an incredible wilderness adventure above the clouds. 0 m km / hrs km / hrs 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 W hipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

2 The KEPLER TRACK is circular and can be walked in either direction. The TRACK is well marked and Day 1: KEPLER TRACK car park to Day 2: Luxmore Hut to signposted, but some sections Luxmore Hut Iris Burn Hut are steep and rough and may be muddy and slippery. Poor weather 5 6 hours, km 5 6 hours, km conditions can make this walk challenging, even in the Great Your journey begins with a stroll through the Start your day on top of the Walks season. beech forest along the shore of lake Te Anau, world. From the hut, you'll the largest body of fresh water in Australasia, climb to a ridge just below This brochure describes a 4-day to Brod Bay.

3 A challenging climb under Mount Luxmore. In good hike for independent, non-guided impressive limestone bluffs takes you above weather there are stunning walkers during the Great Walks the bushline to panoramic views of the Te Anau views across the south fiord of season (23 October 2018 basin and surrounding mountains. Luxmore lake Te Anau to the Murchison Hut is a 45 min walk from the bushline. Mountains. A welcoming sight 30 April 2019). after a day on the tops, Iris Burn Hut is situated in a large tussock clearing. utside the Great Walks O. season (May to October). walking conditions are more hazardous see the safety information.

4 Duration: 3 4 days Distance: 60 km (loop) COVER : Descending from Hanging Valley Shelter, John Strother ( ). Great Walks season: ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Day 1 & 2 photos, Daniel Deans;. 23 October 2018 . Day 3, Photo: Keri Moyle ( ). 30 April 2019 Day 4 KEPLER Wetland, DOC. MAIN PHOTO: View from Luxmore, Tyler Ray Photography ( ). hut campsite shelter car park Iris Burn Hut 50 bunks 30 campers Rocky Point KEPLER TRACK Shelter Moturau Hut Rainbow Reach car park car park 40 bunks km / 5 6 hrs 6 km / 2 hrs km / hrs Day 3: I ris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut Day 4: Moturau Hut to the KEPLER TRACK car park 5 6 hours, km 4 hours 5 hours 30 minutes, 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.

5 The TRACK then follows the Waiau River 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 lake Manapouri. The beach- side Moturau Hut has stunning views of the lake . HIGHLIGHTS. Photo: Andrew Walmsley ( ). 1 Watch out for the cheeky kea the world's only alpine parrot, found in the South Island high country and known for its inquisitive nature.

6 Photo: 2 xplore the fascinating Luxmore Caves, E. 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 of learning are helping restore the Photo: Keri Moyle ( ) 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, Community Trust of Southland and Distinction Hotels Photo: Keri Moyle ( ) NZ, the project is led by the Fiordland Conservation Trust in partnership with DOC and the learning centres.

7 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/. k rearea, one of New Zealand's most Photo: Michelle Crouchley Photo: Andrew Maloney spectacular birds. Luxmore Hut Hanging Valley Mount Tinsley 1547m 1472m Luxmore Cave Mount Luxmore Forest Burn lake Te Iri sB Anau ur Iris Burn n Waterfall Brod Bay Te Anau Iris Burn Hut Bo at T ra ns po rt westport 1628m JA. C. K. KE. S. O. PL. N. Co ER al Cr e Te Rua-o-te-moko /. PE. ek M. Fiordland Fiordland National O. AK. UN 1453m TA Park Visitor Centre S.

8 IN Punakaiki Reefton S Paparoa National National Park Dock Bay Ir is Park Visitor Centre B. ur 1451m ENTRY/EXIT. n KEPLER TRACK car park rn u tB. res Fo Great Walk hut Greymouth Rocky Point 95. 94. Great Walk campsite 1112m Harts Hill Shelter 655m Kumara Visitor Centre Shelter toilet toilets are Hokitika also available at all huts and campsites Boat transport ! ! ! Walking TRACK Arthur's Pass Nationa Great Walk/ Moturau Hut Park Visitor Centre Tramping TRACK ENTRY/EXIT 411m Shallow Bay State Highway 95. 549m Rainbow Reach lake Other roads 527m Richter Carpark . lake Manapouri 0 1 Km er iv SH95 to Manapouri R.

9 582m au ai W. Franz Josef/Waiau Westland Tai Poutini GETTING THERE PLACES TO STAY National Park Visitor Centre You can access the TRACK from the: DOC operates 3 huts and 2 campsites along the KEPLER TRACK , which must Methven KEPLER TRACK car park: 5 km drive be booked in advance during the Great Walks season (23 October 2018 . Aoraki/Mount Cook from Te Anau township. 30 April 2019) to avoid disappointment. Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre Fiordland National Park Visitor Haast Great Walks huts Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre ASHBURTO. Centre: 50 minutes walk along the lake front to the entrance of the TRACK .

10 New Zealand rate $65 per adult per night; 17 years and under free (booking required). Geraldine Rainbow Reach car park: 12 km Fairlie drive from Te Anau. International rate $130 per person per night for all ages (booking required). Temuka Shuttle buses provide a daily service to the Twizel entry and exit points on the TRACK during During Makaroathe Great Walks season the huts have bunks, mattresses, the Great Walks season. A scheduled boat heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting, and cold TIMARU. service also offers transport to Brod Bay. running water. A DOC ranger is in residence.