Part of the Kepler Track from Rainbow Reach Bridge, you will be able to see where parts of the Lord of the Rings movies was filmed.
Once you’ve crossed the bridge over Waiau River, you will find yourself amidst tall red beech trees. The walk is a mix of a thick forest of these trees, low-lying vegetation and bog. Views of the mountains can be seen from Shallow Bay Hut, but this part of the Kepler Track is mostly forest due to its low elevation.
About one hour into the walk, you will reach Amoeboid Mire, which is a bog located on a terrace that formed as the Manapouri glacier melted. From the lookout over the bog, you will see sphagnum moss, other mosses and wire rush with a range of herbs, shrubs and other plants. There will also be a visible tarn within the bog.
The path opens onto Lake Manapouri, where the track divides in two. Following the left path along the shore of the lake, you will arrive at Shallow Bay Hut, while the right path will take you to Moturau Hut.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand
- Time needed: 3.5 hour walk
- Distance: 6 km
- Difficulty: Medium
- Bikes allowed: No
- Route: One way
- Elevation: None
- Wet Feet: Yes, after snow, rain or when walking too close to the river
- Toilets: There are toilets at Shallow Bay Hut.
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Unknown
- Last Updated: April, 2020
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