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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: -45.40725, 167.66122. 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
- 13.8 km one way return via same track
- Walking time
- 8-10 hr return
- Track grade
- Intermediate
- 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 is an excellent full day walk on the Kepler Track (a Great Walk) or overnight tramp to challenge young teenagers - it has swimming beaches, limestone cliffs and glorious mountain and lake views.
This DOC directory entry covers Kepler Track: Carpark to Luxmore Hut 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: 13.8 km one way return via same track
- Walking time: 8-10 hr return
- DOC grade: Intermediate
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
This strenuous walk provides impressive views of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri and Te Anau basin on one side, and the Murchison and Kepler Mountains on the other.
From the Kepler Track carpark, follow the lake shore around to Dock Bay then Brod Bay – two lovely swimming beaches.
From Brod Bay, the track climbs steeply through mountain and silver beech forest, passes under towering limestone bluffs (after about 2 hours) and heads for the bush line.
From here you have panoramic views and it takes about another 45 minutes to walk to Luxmore Hut (1085 m).
Getting there
This track begins from the Kepler Track carpark, which is 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, turn right onto Golf Course Road for another 1.8 km and the carpark is signposted on the right.
Transport providere: There are shuttle services to the car park.
Walkers: Follow the track from the Visitor Centre to Kepler Track carpark.
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.
