In February 2020 we hiked the Kepler Track, one of the 10 New Zealand Great Walks. The Kepler Track is located in Fiordland National Park between Lake Manapouri and Lake Te Anau areas, offering vast tussock-covered ridgelines and spectacular alpine vistas contrast with peaceful lakeside and valley beech forest in this wilderness adventure. We set out on this wilderness adventure above the clouds, high in the mountains above Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri in Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand without knowledge of just what beauty was in store for us.

Day 1: Kepler Track car park to the Broad Bay Camp - Our journey began with a gentle stroll through the beech forest along the shore of Lake Te Anau, the largest body of fresh water by volume in Australasia, to the Brod Bay campsite.

Day2: Broad Bay Camp to the Luxmore Hut - Our second day was met with a challenging climb under impressive limestone bluffs that led us to above the bushline. Here we enjoyed panoramic views of the Te Anau basin and surrounding mountains. From Luxmore Hut we enjoyed a side expedition to Luxmore cave.

Day 3: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Campsite - We started our day on top of the world. From the hut, we climbed to a ridge just below Mount Luxmore and were greeted with stunning views across the south fiord of Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Mountains. In the evening we arrive at the Iris Burn campsite situated in a large tussock clearing. We enjoyed a side hike to a spectacular waterfall.

Day 4: Iris Burn Camp to Moturau Hut - Here we experienced ever-changing scenery as the track led us over a low saddle, then down to Rocky Point, past a large slip caused by heavy rain. We wound through a gorge and lowland beech and podocarp forest, before reaching the shore of beautiful Lake Manapouri. The beachside Moturau Hut had stunning views of the lake.

Day 5: Moturau Hut to the Kepler Track car park - Our last day started in the forest, then the track emerged into a wetland area. The track through the wetland is on a boardwalk, to protect the unique and fragile ecosystem. The track then returns to the forest to follow the Waiau River terrace to the swing bridge at Rainbow Reach before continuing to the Kepler Track car park.

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