The Kepler Track was our initiation to NZ’s Great Walks. It did not disappoint!
Athough there was elevation gain the trail was gently graded and level. It took a half day on either end of 1 full climb and descent day.
Several shelter huts allowed a break from the winds.
Well built ladders allowed us to safely navigate the sharp ridges of this rugged fiordland.
This was our first encouter with KEA birds. A parrot type that is inquisitive, fearless, a terrorist as they are known to steal your phone, knife, and wreck your tent! They can intimidate!!
We began our adventures on the Te Araroa next. Leaving Te Anau we got dropped off on the Mavora Lakes Road to join the trail. And I see our beginning as a classic experience (as far as I can tell from reading others take of this trail). It began with following an indistinct path along the river. We looked for previously stepped on grasses to find our way. There were orange markers but in between them was difficult to tell a path from a grassy field.
We continued for 7 km chasing stray sheep as we went and subtly twisted our ankles. The navigational app then showed and suggested that we should go to the road instead. I was thinking why this directive didn’t appear sooner??! The road was much easier and pleasant since mostly sheep used it!
There is a lot of road walking, I understand, on the TA because the trail is young and not finished yet (I have to assume). Regardless, we moved on.
NZ is where “Lord of the Rings” was filmed which seems to be common knowledge except to us. Little did we know that the tree under which we just took a nap was where a pivotal event was filmed! The part where someone holds a ring in their palm and says, “I made a promise Mr. Frodo…” As we were putting our shoes back on, this tour guide with his tour group steps up to the tree and begins to tell the film’s story. This was a serious group of followers who began to read script and enact the ring holding part and take photos of everything as Jobie and I tiptoed away…
The landscape does have an old world feel. The colours are olive green, wheat blond, umber, muted grays, and dark wood. A right place for a medeival journey. After the Lord of the Rings tour interaction, we began to speak in Tolkien lingo!
Zip and Jobie Go Hiking 