I just ticked off the third of New Zealand’s 11 Great Walks by hiking the Kepler Track—and it was an amazing experience! This time I was joined by a friend with whom I hadn’t previously hiked. It turned out we share not only a similar pace but also an enthusiasm for stopping every few minutes to snap far too many photos. What a lucky coincidence!
The Logistics: Planning and Organisation
We based ourselves in Queenstown and arranged transfers to and from the trailhead with Tracknet. Although the Kepler Track is a circular route (starting and finishing at Kepler Shelter), there are options for a shortcut. For example, you can take a boat across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay—which saves you 5.6 km off the walk. We opted to complete the full 60 km track and even explored several side tracks, bringing our total walked distance to 67 km.
Staying in DOC (Department of Conservation) huts for 3 nights means you have to be organised to secure those coveted hut bunk beds. And, as with most of the Great Walks, you’re responsible for carrying all your food and cooking equipment. I learned the value of being well-prepared—especially after doing the Routeburn Track without hiking poles. This time, I brought mine and they made all the difference.
A Day at a Time on the Kepler Track
Day 1: Kepler Shelter to Luxmore Hut (1,085m high)
The bus dropped us off at Kepler Shelter by mid-morning and the first 5.6km to Brod Bay were an easy start walking along Te Anau Lake through forest and bush. After that the track climbs steadily for 8.2km all the way to Luxmore Hut. We passed some impressive limestone bluffs and once we reached the tree line, the terrain shifted shaded from forest tracks to exposed alpine ridges sporting panoramic views of Lake Te Anau.
Day 2: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut (497m high)
The second day pushed us a bit harder as we tackled another 14.6 km. The path is very exposed for much of the way to the next hut. The vistas along the ridge line are absolutely outstanding und I lost count of how many times we stopped to take it all in. As we climbed Mount Luxmore (1,472m), snow began to fall. Half way through the hike, the descent began and I was ever so thankful for my hiking poles!
Day 3: Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut
Day 3 saw us covering 16.2km on mostly flat and gently sloping terrain. We tackled gentle climbs over low saddles, wandered through beech forests and crossed a picturesque gorge. Although the overall effort was lighter than the previous days, the last 2-3km felt like a marathon as fatigue set in. We were thrilled to finally reach Moturau Hut on the shore of Lake Manapouri. The evening started with a massive stretching session to shake off the accumulated weariness from carrying our gear for two full days.
Day 4: Moturau Hut to Kepler Shelter
Our final day was a more relaxed 15.5 km trek along Waiau River back to Kepler Shelter. We took our time, reflected on the past few days and started planning the next hiking adventure!
Journey’s End and New Beginnings
The Kepler Track proved to be an incredible experience—not just because of the physical challenge but because of the shared moments with a newfound hiking partner and the friendly encounters with other hikers along the way and in the DOC huts. Every day brought fresh terrain, memorable sights and plenty of opportunities to capture the beauty of New Zealand’s wilderness.
With this adventure now behind me, I’m already planning my next hikes. The Heaphy Track and Hump Ridge Track are next on my list and I can’t wait to see what they have in store!
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