Kepler Track
2026 Dates now confirmed.
Bookings open July 2025
Price $TBC (New Zealand Residents) / $TBC (International)
Trip 1. 30th March - 3rd April 2026 (Anticlockwise)
Trip 2. 18th-21st April 2026 (Clockwise)
**Please read the itinerary carefully as these 2 trips have differing schedules**
If you have any queries about any of our trips, please contact the trip co-ordinator
Phil Atkinson 027 426 4029 kepler@ortt.org.nz
The Kepler Track is a 60km moderate walking track, taking four days to complete. It is longer than the Milford and Routeburn, has some prolonged climbs and descents, and requires a good standard of fitness. It is a superb Fiordland track, great scenery of mountain, bush and lakes, in Fiordland National Park, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The track itself is of a high standard. We use the three DoC Huts on the track, Luxmore, Iris Burn and Moturau, which are large, with good facilities. A good standard of tramping fitness is required, and trampers must be well equipped. The track includes an alpine section, where mountain weather can be harsh, as we spend much of one day above the bushline. We traverse impressive tussock ridges, climb to the top of Mt Luxmore (1,400 metres), get a "birds eye view" of beautiful Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri. It is a circular track, starting and finishing near Te Anau.
Please ensure your fitness and health is of a standard that can cope with strenuous excercise in remote alpine areas.
ITINERARY TRIP 1 30th March to 3rd April 2026 (ANTICLOCKWISE);
Day 1; Our bus leaves from the Leviathan Hotel, Dunedin at 1.00 pm on the first day. We stay at Te Anau Backpackers overnight, and have an evening meal at a local eatery (included in price). Airport pick ups can be arranged.
Day 2; Southern Lakes Helicopters will fly your packs up from Te Anau to Luxmore on the first day of the walk (weather dependent). Please make sure you have a robust pack liner (1 bag per person) to put your gear in for the helilift so you can use your pack to carry your lunch and jacket etc or bring a small day pack for the first day. We stroll through Beech Forest along the shores of Lake Te Anau before we climb above the bushline and on towards Luxmore Hut. 13.8km (5-6 hours).
Day 3; Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut. Climb to a ridge just below Mt Luxmore and walk along the top before a steep descent into the Iris Burn. 14.6km (5-6 hours)
Day 4; Iris Burn to Moturau Hut. Ever changing scenery past a slip caused by heavy rain, winding through a gorge and lowland beech and podocarp forest before reaching the shores of Lake Manapouri. 16.2km (5-6 hours) There is an opportunity to take a refreshing swim at both Iris Burn and Moturau Huts.
Day 5; Moturau Hut to the Carpark (or Rainbow Reach). An easy walk past unique and fragile wetland. You can choose to cross the swing bring at Rainbow Reach and complete your walk here or drop your pack at Rainbow Reach and continue on to the Car Park to complete the loop. 15.5km (4-5.5 hours) or 6km (1.5-2 hours) if you choose Rainbow Reach. The bus will take us back to Dunedin arriving in time for flights after 6pm. (Again we recommend you take flight insurance in case we get held up along the way).
ITINERARY TRIP 2 18th - 21st April 2026 (CLOCKWISE);
Day 1; Our bus leaves from the Leviathan Hotel, Dunedin at 9.00am sharp on the first day. Please fly in the night before (we can't wait on delayed flights the morning we depart). We drive to Rainbow Reach and walk in to Moturau Hut 6km (1.5-2 hours).
Day 2; Moturau Hut to Iris Burn Hut. We leave the shores of Lake Maapouri and expereinece ever changing scenery from lowland beech and podocarp forest to winding through a gorge and past a slip caused by heavy rain. 16.2km (5-6 hours) There is an opportunity to take a refreshing swim at both Iris Burn and Moturau Huts.
Day 3; Iris Burn Hut to Luxmore Hut. Your day starts with a steep ascent out of the valley before traversing the ridges of the Kepler mountains. If the weather allows there is a short side trip to Mt Luxmore. 14.6km (5-6 hours). This section can be very exposed, and you can experience all of the elements, but also see some incredible views.
Day 4; We leave the stunning views from Luxmore Hut above the bushline and start the descent to the shores of Lake Te Anau. The final day sees you strolling through stunning Beech Forest to the Control Gates, where our bus will pick us up and we'll head back to Dunedin. 13.8km (5-6 hours). We should arrive back about 5pm, and flights after 6pm are recommended. (Again we recommend you take flight insurance in case we get held up along the way)
TRANSPORT AND FOOD;
Our buses leave from the Leviathan Hotel in Dunedin. We can pick you up enroute. If you choose to meet us in Te Anau there is no discount to the cost of the trip. Prices are all based on travel from Dunedin.
We organise all the food and equipment to cook it with. You help carry it, cook it and eat it. Your share of the food/equipment you need to carry will be approximately 2kg. You will need to bring your own utensils and plate/mug.
CONTACT;
Phil Atkinson
Phone; 027 426 4029
Email; kepler@ortt.org.nz
SEE ALSO;
