Kepler Track: Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut
WalkSouthlandOpen
- Grade
- Intermediate
- Walking time
- 3 hr
- Distance
- 12 km
- Route
- Return
- Dogs
- No dogs
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzThe track begins from Rainbow Reach, about 12 km south from Te Anau.
Private transport: Follow the Manapouri - Te Anau Highway for about 10.6 km, then turn right at the signposted road to the Rainbow Reach carpark.
Transport providers: There are shuttles service to the car park.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 45.48986° S, 167.66504° E
About this place
To sample the Kepler Track (a Great Walk) or for an easy overnight tramp for kids, follow this track through beech forest to Moturau Hut and Shallow Bay on Lake Manapouri.
The route
From the Rainbow Reach carpark, cross the swing bridge and follow the track to the Control Gates for 200 m before turning left towards a short steep ascent. After that the track is gently undulating and wanders through mountain beech forest with some great river views. Some scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed near this part of the river. Further along, cross a kettle bog then continue to the shores of Lake Manapouri. The Moturau and Shallow Bay Huts are near the lake shore.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On this track
In walking order.
Nearby stops
Freedom Camping for Self Contained Vehicles
Southland • 7.9 km
Freedom Camping for Self Contained Vehicles is a campsite located in the Southland region. The site is designated for self-contained vehicles only.
Freedom Camping for Self Contained Vehicles
Southland • 8.1 km
Freedom Camping for Self Contained Vehicles is a campsite located in the Southland region. The site is designated for self-contained vehicles only.
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels
Southland • 8.3 km
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels is a campsite located in the Southland region. The provided data does not include further details regarding its specific…
Manapouri Motel and Holiday Park
Southland • 8.4 km
Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park
Southland • 9.4 km
Walks nearby
Kepler Track: Carpark to Rainbow Reach
Intermediate • 2.5 hr one way • 9.5 km • 2.84 km away
Visitor Centre to Kepler Track Carpark Walk
Easy • 50 min • 3.5 km • 6.11 km away
Kepler Track: Carpark to Dock Bay and Brod Bay
Easy • 1-3 hr return • 5.6 km • 7.3 km away
Visitor Centre to Te Anau Bird Sanctuary Walk
Easy • 20 min • 1 km • 7.63 km away
Kepler Track: Carpark to Luxmore Hut
Intermediate • 8-10 hr return • 13.8 km one way • 9.19 km away
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Tracks & Trails · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).