Visitor Centre to Control Gates – Start of the Kepler Track

4 km • 50 minutes • Easy

1 April 2021
Walked by: Sandra from Freewalks

Home » South Island » Southland Region » Te Anau » Visitor Centre to Control Gates – Start of the Kepler Track

Easy 50 min, 4km walk from the visitor centre in Te Anau to the Control Gates - the start of the Kepler Track.

While the town of Te Anau is charming and quite small, it is nonetheless lovely to get away from it for a few hours to spend some time in nature. After the yacht club, the remainder of the track takes you through a small forest. The forest will open onto the Bird Sanctuary briefly then the vegetation is a mix of small bushes with lake views.

You’ll walk alongside the lake most of the time, on a calm still day the water is just stunning and excellent for taking photos.

Quick Facts about this walk

Location: Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand
Time needed: 50-minute walk
Distance: 4 km
Difficulty: Very easy
Bikes allowed: Yes
Route: One way
Elevation: None
Wet Feet: No
Toilets: Yes, at the visitor centre and the bird sanctuary.
Dogs: Not allowed
Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
Last Updated: May, 2020

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

The track is a leisurely walk along the shore of the lake, overlooking the mountains with great views on a calm day.

Track Quality

The track is maintained and cared for by the Department of Conservation. It is well-gravelled.

Hazards

None

Transport

Te Anau is a stop on InterCity bus’ itinerary. Te Anau is quite small and most places, including the Visitor Centre, are accessible on foot.

Water

There is drinking water at the visitor centre.

Driving Instructions

The Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre is located on the intersection between Lakefront Dr and the Manapouri-Te Anau highway.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

There are shops and restaurants near the beginning of the track. The track eventually veers away from these establishments as it continues to hug the shore.

Area & Trail History

The town of Te Anau was established shortly after the Milford Track opened. It is a commonplace to stop for a few days for tours through Milford Sound and as a stepping stone to the rest of the Fiordland. This track leads to the start of the Kepler track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

Map Location

Control Gates at the start of the Kepler Track

The track takes in views of several mountain ranges, from the Jackson Peaks and Kepler Mountains and then later, if you know where to look, the Earl Mountains. But even if you can’t tell the mountains apart, there’s no doubt that they’re quite an unforgettable sight.

As you follow the track and the shore, you will arrive at the Control Gates which, as the name suggests, control the flow of water between Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri. These gates are also the start of the Kepler Track.