
Visitor Centre to Kepler Track Carpark Walk
Alerts
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
This is an easy walking track along Te Anau lake edge to the start of the Kepler Track, with picnic, swimming and photo spots.
Elevation
Cover mapped summer 2023/24.
Description
Follow the path south from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre around the edge of the Lake Te Anau, passing through the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary.
Enjoy excellent lake and mountain views as the track crosses open land below the golf course.
The Kepler Track carpark is at the lower end of the lake, and marks the start of the Kepler Track, a 3-4 day Great Walk. From the carpark there is a good view of the lake and the Fiordland National Park.
Just past the carpark are the control gates, where there is a view of the lake water flowing into the Waiau River. The control gates regulate water flows between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri for the West Arm hydroelectric power station.
There is a toilet at the Kepler Track carpark, and another 5 minutes along the track to Dock Bay.
For a longer walk and a taste of the Kepler Track, combine this walk with other tracks starting at the Kepler Track carpark.
Getting there
This walk starts from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre on Lakefront Drive, Te Anau.
Weather
Forecast at the start of the track