<p class="ql-block">Kepler Track II: Rainbow Reach to Lake Manapouri.</p><p class="ql-block">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.</p><p class="ql-block">We stayed in Te Anau for a week in Feb 2020. We did some walks in the area including two sections of the Kepler Track. Both sections can either be start or e d of the Kepler Track.</p><p class="ql-block">The second section is from Rainbow Reach to Lake Manapouri. This section is more interesting than the first section we walked. This one has more varied views including amazing wetland views. </p> <p class="ql-block">The track starts with a crossing of a swing bridge: Rainbow Reach Bridge</p> <p class="ql-block">The track then follows the Waiau River. </p><p class="ql-block">Some scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed near this part of the river.</p> <p class="ql-block">Strolling through beech forests </p> <p class="ql-block">Another swing bridge </p> <p class="ql-block">Saw a cute little black Robin on the track. They like to follow the human steps because the insects are disturbed by people walking on the track.</p> <p class="ql-block">Beech forests </p> <p class="ql-block">The track emerges into a wetland area. </p><p class="ql-block">A boardwalk is built to protect the unique and fragile ecosystem </p> <p class="ql-block">A signboard explaining the unique flora and fauna ecosystem in the wetland</p> <p class="ql-block">Wetland view</p> <p class="ql-block">Wetland view</p> <p class="ql-block">Boardwalk </p> <p class="ql-block">Fungi</p> <p class="ql-block">Someone left a manmade Beetle (a Ladybird) on a log. Looks so real! </p> <p class="ql-block">Wetland track with flax</p> <p class="ql-block">Shore of Lake Manapouri</p> <p class="ql-block">Back to Wetland. Girls trying to plant a tree branch in the swamp</p> <p class="ql-block">Beech forests </p> <p class="ql-block">Fungi </p> <p class="ql-block">ferns </p> <p class="ql-block">Fungi</p> <p class="ql-block">Fungi</p> <p class="ql-block">These fungí caught the girls eyes</p> <p class="ql-block">Just about to finish the track </p> <p class="ql-block">Driving from Rainbow Reach back to Te Anau. Beautiful clouds</p>