Graham Pound has drawn our attention to the Kepler Track- Queenstown NZ. Date planned for this activity: Feb/March 2025. The Kepler Track is one of New Zealand’s great walks. It starts and finishes at Te Anau which is about 2.5hrs from Queenstown. Walk has plenty of great views, and maybe snow as an extra! (Similar to the Routeburn Track recently completed by club members). The walk will take 4 days; and is 60lm long loop allowing about 6hrs and 15km per day. The first day is ‘up’ approx. 800metres in elevation and the remaining 3 days is downhill to flat. There are no guided walks on the track but we will be staying in huts and food and sleeping bag etc will have to be carried by yourself. The Department of Conservation (DOC) or NZ National Parks have rangers at the huts and monitor the walk. The tracks are well maintained and easy to follow. At the moment it costs $102 per night to stay in the huts however could be more next season. (So allow $350 for 3 nights). **To secure your booking this must be paid to Graham Pound. Graham will then book this part of the activity. Other costs: Flights: from Sydney at the moment are around $700-$800 return? Accommodation: Queenstown accommodation around $200 per night. Transport: to and from start of walk via bus $136 with Tracknet from Queenstown to TeAnau.
If you are keen to add Kepler Track to your bucket list please let Graham know as soon as possible, before 20 April. DOC bookings for next season open at beginning of May 2024 and fill very quickly. Some interested already have indicated staying longer and doing other possible walk’s. So have a chat with Graham if you are keen. More information DOC NZ has a really good website: Department of Conservation (doc.govt.nz) and there are also great videos on you-tube. ** Remember to secure your Kepler Track booking you ‘must’ have contacted Graham before 20 April 2024.
Please contact Graham Pound; poundy976@gmail.com for more information and to secure your booking. Graham will advise payment details to secure the booking.
Of course there will be walk update(s) & briefing with those that are participating. All to be advised soon. Posted to website/FB & circulated to members via email 6.4.24. JM