Te Anau, New Zealand: Kepler Day Hike

Another day from Te Anau, we used Tracknet Shuttles to do a day hike on the Kepler Track, another Great Walk between Rainbow Reach and Shallow Bay. There was not elevation change in this section, and not so many people. We thoroughly enjoyed every part of this walk.

The weather was clear and pleasant for our walk on a section of the Kepler Track. To connect to the Kepler from the shuttle dropoff point, we had to walk across a swing bridge over the Waiau River, the outlet of Lake Te Anau. Boy was the clear running river beautiful in the morning sun.








We walked through the rainforest towards Shallow Bay, taking a short detour to Spirit Lake.






Then decided to walk in the direction of the Shallow Bay Hut before proceeding to the Moturau Hut.


Close to Shallow Bay there was a vigorous stand of native flax.


We never made it to the Shallow Bay Hut. The lake beach was so peaceful and had the perfect log for taking a lunch break.




After lunch we headed to the Moturau Hut (2nd below) and once again found the perfect log for having a sit on the beach.












On the return to the shuttle pickup point we checked out another section of the Waiau River- super nice.




Chaffinch

New Zealand: Milford Sound Tour

The second day in Te Anau, we had a rest day and had a guided tour from Te Anau through Fiordland National Park to a cruise on the Milford Sound fjord. While it was an enjoyable day, I was not particularly impressed - I still think the fjords of Norway are more scenic.

On our way to Milford Sound we stopped at some scenic photo-op spots in Fiordland National Park. Lake Gunn (1st below). Milford Valley Lookout (2nd).




Cruise check in was easy. Our guide handed us over "boarding passes", I hit the toilets, and then we waited about 5 minutes at the dock before boarding.




The cruise lasted 2 hours. There was free coffee onboard and bag lunches were provided by the tour company.


Several times our boat pulled up close to waterfalls. This seemed to be a hit with the passengers! ;-)




The skies were clear, and we were dressed warmly.


After an hour we reached the mouth of the fjord and cruised a few hundred meters out into the Tasman Sea before turning around. Video (1st below).






Seals were spotted.


And another waterfall was nudged. Video (1st below)






The final waterfall.


We stopped for a few short walks on the way back to Te Anau. At Gertrude Saddle (1st below), and Marion Falls (the rest)








Back to our "home"at Tasman Holiday Parks where SL cooked a delish meal in the shared kitchen.

Te Anau, New Zealand: Routeburn Day-Walk

While based in Te Anau, Tracknet Shuttle took us on a day hike on the Routeburn Track, one of the Great Walks that the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) cooked up for promotion purposes. Most people do the multi-day version, but we only walked from The Divide to Key Summit to Earland Waterfalls then back to The Divide (about 14 miles = 22 kms).

DOC wasn't wrong. I loved the temperate rainforest. It's like walking in a fairytale. I couldn't get enough of it. The day started out rainy, cold, and misty which made the forest extra mysterious. As we approached Key Summit, the weather cleared. The views were as good as it could be. Earland Falls wasn't originally a goal, but we were having such a good time, we continued on, and it was so worth it.

From the bus window on the road from Queenstown to Te Anau.




The Jetty on Lake Te Anau at Te Anau village.


We started the Routeburn walk with wool hats on (for John), and chilly temps and low clouds in the temperate rainforest.






Every few hundred meters there are traps to catch and kill introduced non-native predators such as possums and rats.


AFter 45 minutes the layers started coming off as we headed up the out-and-back Key Summit Track.




The clouds started to disappear as we headed up, and the reports from hikers headed down were "views clearing".






The wool hats and gloves(!!!) go back on as we go higher. We follow the "Alpine Nature Walk" (recommended by other walkers) and it's awesome. See the video (1st below).












When we get to the top, ie Key Summit, the sun is shining. We can see Marion Lake across the valley, so we sit on a bench and have a sandwich and some potato chips. And are visited by several curious chaffinches.






We return down to the main trail, back in the (now warmer) temperate rainforest, and head to Earland Falls.




Being the popular Routeburn track, there are shelters or toilets or campgrounds every few kilometers.


Not Earland Falls.




Below is Earland Falls with a drop of 174 meters (571 feet). Wow! Check out the videos 3rd, 4th, and 5th below.










The shuttle ride home.