Kepler Track I: Control Gates to Brod Bay

小鱼

Kepler Track I: Kepler Track Car Park to Brod Bay (5.6km)

Kepler Track is one of the 10 Great Walks of NZ, located in Fiordland National Park and Lake Manapouri area and Lake Te Anau area in the Fiordland region.

While staying in Te Anau for a week in Feb 2020, we did some walks in the area including two sections of the Kepler Track. Unlike Milford Track, Kepler track is a loop track. Both sections we walked can be the beginning or the end of the track if you walk the whole distance.

The first one is from Kepler Car Park to Brod Bay. Kepler Track Car Park - Control Gate - Dock Bay - Brod Bay.

We drive from Te Anau to the car park but you can also walk the distance from Te Anau (3km, 50min). The path is along Lake Te Anau starting from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Center.

Department of Conservation’s brochure describes this part of the track:

The track follows the lakeshore through a forest of mountain and red beech, with Kamahi and some scattered rimu and miro. After passing an attractive grove of hard tree ferns and crown fern, you reach Dock Bay. Cross Coal Creek Bridge and follow the lakeshore to Brod Bay.

My comments

This section of the Kepler Track is flat and easy. We walked among beech forests seeing tall beech trees, beautiful ferns, many interesting mosses and fungi.

Lake Te Anau is on the right of the track when you walk in. Occasionally there is a little bay you can have a rest and view.

Kepler Track map

At the car park area

Start walking

Control Gate

Signboard

Beech forests

Fern

Beautiful moss

White fungi

Another type of fungi

Track

Dock Bay by Lake Te Anau

Wooden bridge on the track

Fungi

Track

Fungi 灵芝？

Lichen covered tree trunk

Fungi

另外一个trail map (Lake to Lake)

Tramping 注意事项

Back to Te Anau town. Another moody dusk by the lake shore.