Kepler Mountains   

Kepler track

The Kepler track is one the "Great Walks". It is possible to walk from the Control Gates near Te Anau to the campsite at the Iris Burn (reservation required) in one day, and then walk out down the Iris Burn and back to the Control Gates in a second day.
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Lake Te Anau	From the tops	Iris Burn Falls	Iris Burn	Lake Manapouri

Mount Luxmore

Mount Luxmore makes a good day trip from Brod Bay (6 hours return). Brod Bay can be reached from the Kepler track car park in 1.5 hours by the Kepler track, or 45 minutes by kayak.

Track	Mt Luxmore	Lake Te Anau	Dome Islands	Forward Peak	Murchison Mountains

Kepler track and Mount Luxmore in winter

The crossing along the tops is subject to severe weather in winter. Crampons and iceaxe may be necessary. Avalanches possible, especially between Hanging Valley and Forest Burn shelters.

From Mt Luxmore	Blizzard

Upper Iris Burn.

The falls in the Iris Burn are reached in 30 minutes on a good track from the Iris Burn hut. Above the falls there are no tracks (nor any sign that I could see of previous trampers), but travel is generally quite good using deer trails in the bush. The flats are generally too wet for camping, but it is possible to find campsites on the sandy creek banks. It takes about 3.5 hours from the Falls to the main fork in the Iris Burn (650 metre contour; C43, 752 215). From the fork, there are possible day trips to view Lake Victoria or to the head of the valley. See the descriptions in Moir's, which are reliable. There are blue ducks in the upper Iris Burn.

From the Iris Burn falls to the main fork

Iris Burn Falls	Lake Victoria creek	Campsite	Down valley

Day trip to the head of the Iris Burn

To head	To head	To head

Day trip to the col overlooking Lake Victoria (between P1574 and P1720)

Col	P1431	From gulley	From col	P1720	flowers	Down valley

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Copyright © 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 J.S. Milne.