Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 3, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Fiordland National Park

Conservation Area - Waiau River

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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278 m

Kepler Track Suspension Bridge over Waiau River

Highlight • Bridge

This suspension bridge is the second official entry on Kepler Track (with that of Te Anau Lake).

This entrance is however more isolated since it is quite far from Te …

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944 m

View of the Waiau River

Highlight • Viewpoint

Beautiful view of the Waiau River

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1.43 km

Balloon Loop is a Waiau River turnoff that literally takes the shape of a balloon. By this detour Waiau River comes to recover the waters of Forest Burn River which come from a multitude of streams of the Luxmore mountains.

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2.40 km

Suspension Bridge in Fiordland National Park

Highlight • Bridge

Pretty shaky business

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3.88 km

Spirit Lake Wetland Boardwalk

Highlight • Trail

This wetland is an ecosystem particularly protected by the DOC (Department of Conservancy), hence the log trail. It is absolutely forbidden to deviate from it.

By following it you can branch off towards an observation platform which overlooks Spirit Lake.

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6.53 km

Moturau Hut

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Moturau Hut is a refuge with 40 places divided into dormitories. As with the other two Kepler Track refuges, it is essential to reserve your place well in advance:
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/huts/moturau-hut …

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6.54 km

Beach at Shallow Bay

Highlight • Beach

Shallow Bay forms a magnificent cove. Its long white sand beach will allow you a relaxing and calm stroll after your day of hiking.

You can also simply sit down …

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6.55 km

Kepler Track Section

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Nice section of the Kepler Track

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12.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

12.5 km

287 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

8.50 km

3.95 km

352 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 24 April

17°C

9°C

31 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 5.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Kepler Track Suspension Bridge over Waiau River

View of the Waiau River

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Suspension Bridge in Fiordland National Park

Spirit Lake Wetland Boardwalk

Moturau Hut

Beach at Shallow Bay

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