Explore the most popular Camping trails in Southland with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Jason H. on Kepler Track
Tramp back to car park. Only recorded 2 miles of total 3.5 due to no battery on phone.
Jason H. on Kepler Track
Tramped to Brod Bay on Kiplers Track.
Day 1 - 8.5 mi from Kepler Track car park to Luxmore hut for the night Day 2 - 3 mi up to Mt Luxmore summit then all the way back to the car park
Gorgeous views every day of this four day trek. I can’t emphasize enough what a pest the sand flies are though. Forget deet etc just get a big net and make sure every inch of skin is covered up!!
Hiked from Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut and back. Stopped briefly for pictures and a quick snack. Saw a Kea!. Way up is a rough 1.5 hours
31/10/19- Walked to brod bay campsite and back. Was a great walk through Forrest like terrain with birds chirping and the lake in the background. 11.5km and just under 3 hours return, with a 20 minute picnic at the campsite.
The mud at the start of the trail was an indication of what was to come on our longest hike day of the trip. It was deep in sections and hard to navigate in others
The journey to New Zealand’s southernmost island started with the roughest sea
Beautiful hike but would probably just hike to Maori beach or port William and stay there for two nights next time, beautiful places and sand flies not so bad!
I completed the full loop on two days due to only getting weekends off for work. Plus side carrying less food, however after passing Luxmore hut and stopping for some lunch then onto summit Luxmore and further onto Iris burn, I did wonder why I'd decided to complete in such a short time but I was rewarded with stunning views along the ridge line free of any other walkers and a sky clear of clouds. Descending down to iris burn while the sun hung low in the sky was something breathtaking. Getting up early to loop round from iris burn felt like a gentle stroll compared to the previous day. Am absolutely stunning walk with a great sense of achievement after due to the more challenging nature. I would definitely recommend being prepared for adverse weather on the ridge line as its totally exposed! Enjoy!
Sandflies are a state of mind.
Amazing views but would have liked to have done over four days not three.
Theres no shade on the alpine but it was nice and cool when i went so bring a hat. Fantastic hike.
We completed this trail on July 22nd and there was no snow the entire way. Beautiful vistas and a wonderful hut at the end. There was drinkable water and a pit toilet. The trail is very well maintained.
Awesome experience!
This is the hardest Great Walk I have done so far. The second day was punishing on my knees but the views were awesome so it was totally worth it. The Luxmore hut is spacious but the Iris Burn is very overcrowded and should have been cheaper. We walked in late April before the track closed and had amazing weather so didn't need all our layers.
Lots of forest, stunning views between Luxmore and Iris Burn. You definitely don't want fog for this part ! Did it in 3 days starting on May, 1st. We had a little bit of snow on the ridge and on mount Luxmore summit. Path is really easy.
Very pleasant track. It's 22 km from Iris Burn to Rainbow Reach car park, and it's doable in one day. Or you can stay at the Moturau hut. But it's just 6km from the hut to the first parking lot (Rainbow Reach). You go through various green areas: forest, wetlands. Very nice surroundings.
Amazing views.
Luxmore hut is amazing.
Mary R. on Kepler Track Day 1: Luxmore Hut
11 hours return from Te Anau to Luxmore's Summit (1 hour stop). Really beautiful at the top! Long but not difficult, first part of the trail mostly plain (2 hours), then you start going up. Trail in very good conditions.
The best views are Luxmore hut to Iris Burn.
Did this in late January. Hitchhiked from wanaka to blue pools. Will always remember this trail. One of the most mentally and physically exhausting but rewarding experiences of my life. 40 pounds on my back solo through some amazing biomes, up to Gillespie’s pass. Met some great people, fly fished, saw some great birds. Overall 10/10 experience. Went from blue pools, through young valley into siberia to kerin forks and took a jet boat across the makarora ( huge storm made fording impossible). Can’t wait to do again in the future with friends family or future children. The jet boat is fun but be careful, they gouge you for money because they know they’re the only company operating on the river. Be prepared to spend 120 dollars for A 10 min ride
Was a great hike, and very doable for a day trip on Stewart Island. It took me 7.5 hours to finish. Some beautiful views and a variated walk through forest, beach and coast line. Definately worth the effort.
Die it in 3 days. First and last day was ok, lot of forest. Track between luxmore and Iris burn is awesome!
Kinder B. on Kepler Track
Did this hike up to mount luxamore and just stayed overnight in the luxamore hut for the night. The walk isn’t too tough with the first 5km nice and flat and the then goes up hill but it shaded most of the way but not too tough. The view at the top is amazing and just gets better and better as you keep going up (best bit after luxamore hut). Possible to do mount luxamore in a day if you head of early and fit. Also if you are quite fit and wanting to do whole track I don’t 4 days is need 3 is plenty also making it a bit cheaper as the huts are $130 per person per night and must book before in summer period.
