By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
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: -45.46797, 167.68389. 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
- 9.5 km one way
- Walking time
- 2.5 hr one way
- 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
A pleasant walking track alongside the river through beech forest, along part of the Kepler Track (Great Walk) near Te Anau.
This DOC directory entry covers Kepler Track: Carpark to Rainbow Reach 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: 9.5 km one way
- Walking time: 2.5 hr one way
- 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 is part of the Kepler Track (a Great Walk).
From the Kepler Track carpark, the track follows the terraces of the Waiau River along the Kepler Track through red and mountain beech forest to Rainbow Reach.
An area of manuka shrubland marks the home of early run holder Jack Beer who during summer drove his sheep onto Mt Luxmore to graze.
There is a swingbridge to cross over the Waiau River to get to Rainbow Reach.
There are many lovely views of the forest and river, and good trout fishing opportunities along this track section.
See Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut Track.
Getting there
This track begins from the Kepler Track carpark, which is at the southern end of Lake Te Anau, about 5 km (6 minutes drive) from Te Anau.
To get there by vehicle or bicycle from the DOC Visitor Centre on Lakefront Drive, 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.
Bus transport is available.
To walk there (50 minutes) - follow the track from the Visitor Centre to Kepler Track carpark.
Know before you go
Prepare for your trip to Fiordland.
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.
