Te Anau

Hiking

Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. Information, transport options, and maps for the plethora of hikes near Te Anau, including the Kepler Track, can be obtained from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. Lakefront Dr., Te Anau, 9600. 03/249-7924. www.doc.govt.nz.

Kepler Track. The 60-km (37-mi) Kepler Track loops from the south end of Lake Te Anau, starting just 4 km (2½ mi) from Te Anau township. It skirts the lakeshore, climbs up to the bush line, passing limestone bluffs and going through extensive beech forest, and has incredible views of the South Fiord and Te Anau Basin. An alpine crossing takes you to the high point near the peak of Mt. Luxmore. It's a moderate walking trail that takes three to four days to complete. If you're on a tight schedule, it's possible to take day hikes to the Luxmore and Moturau huts.

The track has some extraordinarily good-quality trails, three huts, and two camps, and is relatively easy, with only one steep climb to the alpine section up Mt. Luxmore. Hikers should beware, however, of high wind gusts while crossing the exposed saddle above the bush line. In winter and spring the alpine section may be impassable because of snow. Although the trail can be walked in either direction, most people walk it counterclockwise.

More Sports and Outdoors

• Hiking
• Kayaking

• Scenic Flights