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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -45.42561, 167.68440. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 5.6 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 1-3 hr return
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Lake Te Anau area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This easy track follows the first part of the Kepler Track (a Great Walk) around the Te Anau lake shore to two lovely swimming and picnicking - it's great for children and they can earn a Kiwi Guardians medal too! Catch a water taxi one way for a shorter walk.
This DOC directory entry covers Kepler Track: Carpark to Dock Bay and Brod Bay in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Lake Te Anau area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 5.6 km return via same track
- Walking time: 1-3 hr return
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the Kepler Track carpark, the track follows the lake shore through mountain and red beech forest, with kamahi and some scattered rimu and miro and yellow-flowering kowhai.
It passes an attractive grove of hard tree ferns and crown ferns before reaching Dock Bay – suitable for swimming and with toilet facilities. Earn a Kiwi Guardians medal here.
The track then crosses Coal Creek Bridge and follows the lake shore to Brod Bay – a delightful place to swim and with toilet facilities and a campsite.
Getting there
This track begins from the Kepler Track carpark at the southern end of Lake Te Anau, about 5 km from Te Anau.
Private transport: Follow the Manapouri - Te Anau Highway for about 2 km, then turn right onto Golf Course Road for another 1.8 km – the carpark is signposted on the right.
Transport providers: There are shuttle services to the car park. During the summer a water taxi can be arranged to/from Brod Bay.
Walkers: Follow the Visitor Centre to Kepler Carpark track.
Know before you go
Remember to take sandfly repellent!
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
