Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey starts from Te Anau hiking the start of the Kepler Track around the lake to its outlet at the gates before following the Waiau River downstream to Rainbow Reach. From there the track cuts inland over spectacular boglands to arrive at Lake Manapouri at Moturau Hut.
Today's Journey
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Leaving Te Anau just after sunrise to start the Kepler Track. The sun is already shining on the mountains which I will be exploring over the next few days. |
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Following the calm waters of Lake Te Anau towards its outlet into the Waiau River. |
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Reaching the stock pens at the end of the lake, through which water flows out into the Waiau River. Although the river is only 22 kilometres long, it has the second highest volume in New Zealand. |
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Much of the track along the river is in dense forest and glimpses of the river are very few and far between. |
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I do get a view of the river just before the track diverts inland to cut across towards Lake Manapouri. The river flows into the same lake several kilometres away. |
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Once leaving the river, the track passes through reasonably flat forest with the floor covered in moss. |
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Reaching Spirit Lake in a large swampy area about halfway between the river and Lake Manapouri. |
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From the swamp the track continues passing through dense forest before descending to the lake. |
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Reaching the Moturau Hut at the edge of Lake Manapouri. This is the first of the three huts on the Kepler Track which was built in the late 1980s. |
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View across Shallow Bay on the lake towards West Arm and the Manapouri Power Station hidden away in the distance. Rain will be falling on Doubful Sound and other sea facing fiords, but none falls here. |
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