# Kepler Track from Te Anau: Groups Guide > Kepler Track for groups: a loop from Te Anau, the 27 October to 30 April season, three huts, fees and the alpine section. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-kepler-track-te-anau-groups-guide/ South Island 26 October 2026 · Explera Trade Desk · 3 min read ![A walking track through moss-covered trees](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/photos/empty-road-surrounded-by-mossy-green-trees_181624-42115-1400.webp) **Short answer:** The Kepler Track is a Great Walk loop in Fiordland National Park that starts 5 km from Te Anau. Most walkers take four days and three nights. DOC's 2026/27 Great Walk season runs from 27 October 2026 to 30 April 2027, with huts at Luxmore, Iris Burn and Moturau. Explera DMC New Zealand plans huts, transfers and guides. This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators who sell Fiordland. Because the track starts and ends near Te Anau, it fits easily around a stay in Te Anau. ## What is the Kepler Track? - **A loop.** The track runs from the Kepler Track car park to Brod Bay, Luxmore Hut, Iris Burn Hut, Moturau Hut and Rainbow Reach, then back to the car park. DOC's section distances add up to about 60 km. - **Time.** Most walkers take four days and three nights. - **Huts and campsites.** The huts are Luxmore, Iris Burn and Moturau. The campsites are Iris Burn and Brod Bay. - **The alpine section.** Between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut the track crosses open tops, with the Luxmore summit at 1,472 m. ![A swing bridge with mesh sides crossing dense green forest](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/photos/beautiful-shot-bridge-middle-forest-surrounded-by-green-trees-plants_181624-17249-1400.webp) *A swing bridge with mesh sides crossing dense green forest* ## What do groups need to book? - **Huts and campsites.** Bookings are open for 2026/27 and are required for every hut and campsite in the Great Walk season. Without one, walkers can be charged a penalty or turned away. - **Fees.** For international visitors from 27 October to 30 April, DOC lists NZ$132 a night for an adult in a hut, NZ$66 for a child aged 5 to 17 and NZ$42 for an adult campsite. Children under 5 stay free. Confirm fees at booking. - **Transfers.** The car park is 5 km from Te Anau and Rainbow Reach is 12 km. In the Great Walk season shuttles run daily to both, and a scheduled boat serves Brod Bay. ## What are the shorter options? - **Luxmore Hut.** Groups that do not want four days can walk to Luxmore Hut for one night. DOC's section times add up to about 5 to 6 hours from the car park. - **Day walks.** DOC lists day walks from the car park to Dock Bay and Brod Bay, and from Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut. ![A walker with poles climbing a grassy slope in low cloud](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/photos/wide-shot-woman-walking-up-mountain-with-complete-gear-cold-foggy-weather_181624-20880-1400.webp) *A walker with poles climbing a grassy slope in low cloud* ## What should agents plan for? - **Avalanche risk.** DOC says avalanche risk can extend into December and may close the alpine section between Luxmore and Iris Burn Huts. We plan an alternative day for early-season groups. - **Kea.** Kea live on the alpine section and near Iris Burn, and they can damage gear left outside. - **The Kepler Challenge.** This race runs on the first Saturday in December and the track is busy that day. - **Children.** DOC does not recommend the track for children under 10. - **Winter.** From May to late October the track is not managed as a Great Walk and needs alpine equipment. We sell it from late October to April. ## How Explera DMC New Zealand can help We plan [Great Walks and guided walking](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/great-walks-and-guided-walking-new-zealand/) and [guides and driver guides](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/guides-and-driver-guides-new-zealand/) for travel agents and tour operators. See our [Te Anau](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/te-anau/) page, our [Te Anau briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-10-te-anau-fiordland-base-groups-planning/), our [Milford Sound briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-milford-sound-fiordland-group-access-briefing/) and our [Routeburn Track briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-routeburn-track-2026-27-season-groups/). ## FAQ **Where does the Kepler Track start?** At the Kepler Track car park, 5 km from Te Anau. It is a loop. **When is the 2026/27 Great Walk season?** From 27 October 2026 to 30 April 2027. **How long does the Kepler Track take?** Most walkers take four days and three nights. **How much is a hut night for international visitors?** DOC lists NZ$132 for an adult and NZ$66 for a child aged 5 to 17 in the Great Walk season. **Can groups do a shorter version?** Yes. Groups can walk to Luxmore Hut for one night, or choose a day walk from either end. ## Sources - [Kepler Track](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/kepler-track/), Department of Conservation, checked 25 October 2026 ## Talk to the trade desk Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal [b2b.expleradmc.com](https://b2b.expleradmc.com). Destinations in this briefing [Te Anau & Fiordland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/te-anau/)[Milford Sound](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/milford-sound/) ## Talk to the trade desk *Your New Zealand DMC partner* From a single FIT to series groups and full MICE programmes, every New Zealand proposal is costed by hand against your brief at net rates. Send your requirements as a new email with a descriptive subject line. [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090) ## More from the trade blog. *Keep reading* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/rss.xml) - [Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk: Groups Guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-lake-waikaremoana-great-walk-te-urewera-groups/) - [Routeburn Track 2026/27: Groups Guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-routeburn-track-2026-27-season-groups/) - [Te Matatini 2027 at Hopuhopu: Planning for Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-te-matatini-2027-hopuhopu-kapa-haka-festival-groups/)