New Zealand Ridge line near Hanging Valley Shelter, Kepler Track

The Kepler Track is one of the Great Walks in New Zealand and located near Te Anau. This 60km long distance hike features everything of the Fiordland National Park: mountains, native forest, waterfalls and glacier-carved valleys.

The best on this track are the blue and golden hour. Here you will be completely alone. Don´t forget your tripod if you are alone and want to get some images of yourself. Switch to interval shooting.

Definitely think about your gear that you want to carry on with you! What is your intention? What would you like to shoot the most? For an example I left my wide angle lens in the van and did some multiple shots with my 24-70mm for a panorama, which I later merged in Lightroom.

Please also note that drone flying is not permitted! The entire area is Kea territory. It is also home to many other birds and there may be encounters with helicopters. It's also nice to focus fully on the camera in your hand again and photograph perspectives that you can see with your own eyes.

This 60km loop trail requires a good level of fitness. Strength is necessary. Normally you can do it in four days but if you are very fit it is possible in three days.

You can start the track from Kepler Track Trail Head to Moturau Hut and further on to Iris Burn Hut or in the other direction from Lake Te Anau Lookout / Kepler Track Trail Head to Luxmore Hut.

There are three huts and two campsites provided by the Department of Conservation (DOC) dotted at points along the track. At the DOC huts you'll find running water, solar lighting, tables and seating and cooking facilities in the summer months. Bookings are required for all huts and campsites on the Kepler Track during the Great Walks season which is from late October through to late April.