Kepler Track – Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut

The Kepler Track is one of the nine Great Walks of New Zealand. Situated in Fiordland National Park, in the southwest of the South Island, it is a 60km loop track that has been developed and maintained by the Department of Conservation. Normally it takes three or four days to walk the track, carrying packs. There are three huts along the way, provided for sleeping. However sections can be walked as day tramps.

In late November, in warm and sunny conditions, and with our day packs, we completed a section of the walk, from Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut. It is a tramp of 8.2km (each way) and an altitude gain of 675 metres. It took us under six hours of walking (return), including some food/water stops and time to admire the views.

Kepler Track map (click to enlarge)

Map source : http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/southland/kepler-track-brochure.pdf

Water taxi at Te Anau

We began our day by catching the water taxi at 8.30am. It took us from the township of Te Anau across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay, a ten minute trip.

Arriving at Brod Bay

The journey begins

Beech forest with an understory of ferns

Under limestone bluffs

The section between Brod Bay, past the bluffs and to the bushline took about two hours. Some of it is steep. Once above the bushline it is a more gentle slope to the hut.