Moturau Hut
Great Walk hutFiordland National Park, SouthlandOpen
Current advisories
Iris Burn Hut is closed for winter
29 September 2026
Iris Burn Hut is closed until mid-October 2026 for major renovations. Do not plan to stay at the hut when walking the Kepler Track this winter. Luxmore Hut and Moturau Hut remain open, but there is no hut accommodation between them during this period. Iris Burn Campsite remains open - campers must be fully self-sufficient and prepared for winter conditions. First published on 26 March 2026. Last reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 40 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Yes
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.nzThis hut is on the Kepler Track, beside Lake Manapouri, Fiordland. It is about 2 hours walk from Rainbow Reach (between Te Anau and Manapouri), and about 5 hours walk from the track start/end (Kepler Carpark).
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet CD07
- Grid reference
- E1178760, N4949343
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. 45.48168° S, 167.61071° E
About this place
This is a 40 bunk, Great Walk hut on the Kepler Track, Fiordland. Bookings required in the Great Walks season.
On the way here
Kepler Track · 3-4 days
Walking options
Walk the full track. Most walkers take 4 days/3 nights. Enjoy a day walk: Kepler Track carpark to Dock Bay and Brod Bay | Kepler Track carpark to Rainbow Reach | Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut | Kepler Track carpark to Luxmore Hut Explore on Google Street View | Watch videos
Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut
Time: 5–6 hr
16.2 km Experience ever-changing scenery as the track takes you over a low saddle, then down past a large slip caused by heavy rain to Rocky Point. There is a boardwalk but in heavy rain expect to cross small streams at Rocky Point Shelter. You’ll then wind through a gorge and lowland beech and podocarp forest, before reaching the shore of beautiful Lake Manapouri. The beach-side Moturau Hut has stunning views of the lake.
Moturau Hut to Rainbow Reach
Time: 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr
km The last day is easy walking across a unique and fragile wetland. The track then follows the Waiau River terrace to the swing bridge at Rainbow Reach. You can leave the track here and catch a shuttle bus to Te Anau.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Prevent the spread of didymo
Didymo is present in Lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri and the Waiau River, but is not currently in the pristine Iris Burn River. All visitors should take precautions to avoid transporting didymo when on the Kepler Track, including when swimming/fishing/boating/kayaking. Do not take water from these areas, avoid filling water bottles, and avoid swimming in the rivers after swimming in the lakes. More information about preventing the spread of freshwater pests in Fiordland National Park .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
2 options · 3 nights
Kepler Track carpark
Walking in
18 hr (via Luxmore Hut, Iris Burn Hut)
Walking out
6 hr to Kepler Track carpark
Walking in
18 hr (via Luxmore Hut, Iris Burn Hut)
Walking out
18 hr to Kepler Track carpark (via Luxmore Hut, Iris Burn Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
Backcountry Hut Passes can only be used in this hut from 1 May to 28 October. Passes cannot be used from 29 October to 30 April.
Bookings are required in the Great Walks season. Book Moturau Hut online.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Shallow Bay Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Southland • 1.3 km
Shallow Bay Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in eastern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Brod Bay Campsite
Great Walk • Southland • 9.9 km
Brod Bay Campsite is a walk-in Great Walk campsite situated beside Lake Te Anau on the Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park. Bookings are required during…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Luxmore Hut
Great Walk • 54 bunks • Southland • 10.7 km
Luxmore Hut is a 54-bunk Great Walk hut located on the Kepler Track in Fiordland. Bookings are required for use of the hut in all seasons.
Cooking • Heating • Mattresses
Iris Burn Hut
Great Walk • 50 bunks • Southland • 12.1 km
Iris Burn Hut is a 50 bunk Great Walk hut on the Kepler Track in Fiordland. Bookings are required during the Great Walks season.
Cooking • Heating • Mattresses
Iris Burn Campsite
Great Walk • Southland • 12.2 km
Iris Burn Campsite is a walk-in Great Walk campsite located in the Iris Burn valley on the Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park. Bookings are required…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Walks nearby
Kepler Track: Carpark to Rainbow Reach
Intermediate • 2.5 hr one way • 9.5 km • 5.91 km away
Visitor Centre to Kepler Track Carpark Walk
Easy • 50 min • 3.5 km • 8.38 km away
Kepler Track: Carpark to Dock Bay and Brod Bay
Easy • 1-3 hr return • 5.6 km • 8.48 km away
Kepler Track: Carpark to Luxmore Hut
Intermediate • 8-10 hr return • 13.8 km one way • 9.17 km away
Visitor Centre to Te Anau Bird Sanctuary Walk
Easy • 20 min • 1 km • 9.83 km away
Contact
Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
1 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9600
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.